How to make a glow effect in GIMP

If you are a graphic designer or photographer, you may want to emphasize certain parts or text in your image. This is usually done by adding a glitter effect.

Fortunately, this is a relatively simple process in GIMP. Better yet, there are other great effects you can use. Read on to find out everything you need to know.

How to make a glow effect with GIMP

Although GIMP does not have a feature to add a glow effect to images, there are two solutions to get the desired result.

Option 1: How to Create a Glow Effect with Drop Shadows

1. Launch the GIMP application on your computer.
   
2. Click “File” at the top of the screen.
   
3. Choose “Open” and double-click the file containing the selected item.
   
4. Select the layer you want to add a glow to in the “Layers” panel with its element selected.
   
5. Open “Filters” at the top of the screen.
   
6. Choose “Light and Shadow” in the “Menu” p and then select “Drop Shadow.”
   
7. A dialog box will open. Customize the filter settings in the dialog box. Change the X and Y options to 0 and change the color to the desired color of your glow effect.
   Note: You must also check the preview box at the bottom of the dialog to see updates to your design in real time.
   
8. Adjust the Color, Blur Radius, Growth Radius, and Opacity settings as desired until you get the desired results.
   
9. Click “OK” if you are happy with the result and the glow effect will automatically be applied to your image.
   

Option 2: How to create a glow effect with the Bloom filter

You can use the Bloom filter to get different results or combine both types.

1. Open GIMP.
   
2. Click “File” at the top of the screen.
   
3. Choose “Open” and double-click the file containing the selected item.
   
4. Go to the “Layers” panel and select the layer you want to add the glow effect to.
   
5. Open “Filter”.
   
6. Choose “Light and Shadow” in the “Menu” p and select “Bloom.”
   

What’s more, the Bloom feature will illuminate parts of your image and turn them into a light source.

How to make a glitter effect on the edges

You can also create a glow effect around the edges of your image or elements.

1. Launch GIMP and click “File” at the top of the screen.
   
2. Choose “Open” and double-click the file containing the selected item.
   
3. Go to the “Menu” p and select the layer you want to add a glow to in the “Layers” panel with the chosen element.
   
4. Click “Transparency” and select “Alpha to Selection.” Alternatively, right click on “On Your Layer” and go to “Alpha to Selection”.
   
5. Go to the “Menu” p, click “Select” and then “Grow.”
   
6. Enter the number of pixels you want your brightness to have. Five is the typical number, but it depends on the look you’re trying to achieve. Click OK.”
   
7. Create a new layer and give it a name. Then click “Fill Bucket” and select your preferred color of your glitter. You should also make sure that you have chosen the new layer you created and filled it with the “Cube Fill” tool.
   
8. Drag the new layer below the image whose edge you want to add the glow effect to. Then go to “Menu”, select “Select none”.
   
9. Click “Filters” in the “Menu” p, select “Blur” and then “Gaussian Blur.” Enter the number for how blurry you want the blur effect to be.
   
10. Be sure to select RLE. Click “OK” if you have the desired result.
    

If you find that you prefer a stronger blur after clicking “OK”, repeat steps 9 and 10. Alternatively, you can decide to duplicate the layer.

How to make a neon glow effect on text

Adding neon glow to your text is another feature you can enjoy with GIMP.

Step 1: Prepare your text and background

1. Launch Canvas and click “File” and then “New.”
   
2. This will open a new canvas with a default size. To change the size of your canvas, go to “Image”, then “Canvas Size” and click “Resize” to enter your preferred size.
   
3. Click “Background” on the right side of the screen to change the background color. Click “Background Color.” A dialog box will appear, choose your preferred color and click “OK.”
   
4. Enter text on the canvas.
   
5. To change the text color to the desired color, highlight the text and go to “Color.” Choose your preferred color in the dialog box that appears and click “OK.”
   

Step 2: Design your text

1. Click “Edit” in the “Menu” p and select “Fill with BG Color.”
   
2. Go to the right panel, click on the text layer named with your text and choose the correct Opacity.
   
3. Right click on the text layer and choose “Alpha to Selection”.
   
4. Click the “Create New Layer” button at the bottom and add it to the image.
   
5. A dialog box will appear. Give the layer a name and click “OK.”
   
6. Go to Edit and choose “Stroke Selection.” Choose your preferred line width in the dialog box that appears. Click “Stroke.”
   
7. Click Select in the “Menu” p and choose “None.” This will give your text an outline.
   
8. Right-click the “Outline” layer in the right panel and select “Add Layer Mask.”
   
9. Make a selection and click “Add.”
   

Step 3: Paint the Text

1. Click “Brush” in the toolbox and customize the brush settings to your preferences. Then, paint parts of the letters in the text.
   
2. Click the “Eyeball” icon next to the text layer in the right panel. Then, increase or decrease the brush size and Opacity as desired.
   
3. Click your text on the canvas to highlight the edges of the text that are not outlined.
   
4. Right-click the “Outline” layer in the right panel and choose “Apply Layer Mask.”
   
5. Duplicate the layer and add it twice to the image button.
   
6. Click on the copy of the “outline layer” in the middle.
   

Step 4: Add Blurs to the Outline

1. Click “Filters” in the “Menu” p. Choose “Blur” and select “Gaussian Blur.”
   
2. Change the sizes of X and Y in the dialog box that appears and click “OK.”
   
3. Go to the copy of the “Outline” layer in the middle and choose your preferred Opacity.
   
4. Click on the other copy of the “Outline” layer and repeat 1 and 2 above, choosing 1 to 3 sizes larger for X and Y.

Step 5 – Add Glitter Effects

1. Click on the “Outline” layer at the top, select “Create a new layer” and add it to the image button.
   
2. Give the new layer a name in the dialog box that appears and click “OK.”
   
3. Click “Brush” in the toolbox, reduce the size and highlight the other parts of the text.
   
4. Go to “Mode” on the right panel and select “Soft Light.”
   
5. Create another layer, give it a name, add it to the image button and click “OK.”
   
6. Click “Foreground Color” below the toolbox and choose a color in the dialog box.
   
7. Increase the brush size and add color to your text.
   
8. Click “Foreground Color” again and choose another color in the dialog box. Combine the newly selected color with the previous text color.
   
9. Click “Filter,” choose “Blur,” and then “Gaussian Blur.” Add a much larger size to the X and Y in the dialog box and click “OK.”
   
10. Click “Mode” and select “HSL Color.”
    

It’s time to shine

Adding the glow effect to your images or text always gives them a new look. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it is a great way to emphasize certain parts of your image. Although some of the steps are quite long, the result is definitely worth it.