16.3. Alien Glow

16.3. Alien Glow
	16. Alpha to Logo Filters

16.3.1. Overview

Figure 17.376. Example for the “Alien Glow” filter

The “Alien Glow” filter

The “Alien Glow” logo

This filter adds an eerie glow around the active layer's alpha.

The filter is derived from the “Alien Glow” script (File → Create → Logos → Alien Glow in the image window), which creates a logo with the above text effect.

	Warning
	The image will always be resized to the active layer's size.

16.3.2. Activate the filter

You can find this filter in the image window menu under Filters → Alpha to Logo → Alien Glow….

16.3.3. Options

Figure 17.377. “Alien Glow” options

Glow size (pixels * 4): This is actually the font size option of the “Alien Glow” Script-Fu script. However, two values will be set in relation to this size: the glow will be enlarged by “Glow size” / 30, and feather radius is “Glow size” / 4. You should probably choose the height of your objects for this option (ignore “pixels * 4”).
Glow color: This is the color of the “eerie” glowing. Of course it defaults to green (63,252,0), but a click on the swatch button brings up the color selector where you can choose any color.

16.3.4. Filter details

Reproducing an eerie alien glow is easy:

If necessary, create a selection from the alpha channel of the active layer.
Fill the selection with the following Gradient Blend: Shape = Shaped (spherical); Gradient = FG to BG (RGB), with FG = dark gray (79,79,79), BG = black.
Create a new layer (“Alien Glow”) below. Extend the selection slightly, feather it, and fill it with the Glow color.
Create a new background layer filled with black.