16.3. Alien Glow

16.3.1. Overview

Figure 16.345. Example for the Alien Glow filter

Example for the “Alien Glow” filter

Alien Glow applied


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

[Warning] Warning

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

The filter is derived from the Alien Glow script (FileCreateLogosAlien Glow in the image window), which creates the following text effect:

The Alien Glow Script-Fu script.

Reproducing this 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.

16.3.2. Activate the filter

You can find this filter in the image window menu under FiltersAlpha to LogoAlien Glow.

16.3.3. Options

Figure 16.346. Alien Glow options

“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.