Gimpdome

Haven't done anything in awhile, but today I decided this would be a fun script to make:

Animated Fire Script for GIMP

This script works well in GIMP 2.2 and up.  In GIMP 2.2, it's found under this menu: Filters > Animation > Animators > Animated Fire...
Under 2.4 and up, you can find it here: Filters > Animation > Animated Fire...

The script is based on this great tutorial here: Make Moving Fire tutorial 

The script will let you use the active layer in your open image as an overlay or a mask.  The overlay options are shown below.  The script will also allow you to use the active layer to mask out an area.  The mask doesn't have to be filled with a black background, it can simply be white on a transparent background.  The example mask I've shown below is white on black for example purposes.  Also, there are two options with the mask: a transparent background around the masked off area or filling the area outside of the masked area.  In either case, you need to select a background color.  The reason for choosing a background color with the transparent option is to let GIMP fill in the anti-aliased areas with a little bit of color to help the animation blend in with the background and reduce jagged edges.  So, if the background color on your web page is blue, choose a blue color.  This will require some experimentation.  Lastly, I've told the script to disable any selections that are active prior to running the script.  They will be re-enabled after the script is run.  You can also "sandwich" your active layer between two flames layers and the upper flame layer will be set to Screen Mode before all the three layers are then merged.  This gives the effect that the active layer is IN the flames, not blended or above them.

Without using the active layer in the animation

Here's a sample result using default colors, no gradient - Just like the tutorial:



Using the default "Incandescent" Gradient - Looks the best IMHO:



Using the "Gold" Gradient:



Using the "Tropical Colors" Gradient - A "thermal sensing" animation style:



Overlay Options - Just select a desired blend mode

Normal Mode



Overlay Mode



Value Mode



Mask Options - Just select a desired background color

Mask option with transparency enabled



Mask option, but filling entire background with chosen color



Mask



Displacement option



GIMPressionist Option - Felt Marker



Cartoon Option



Inverted Gradient

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Save it to your GIMP scripts folder (ie....C:\Program Files\GIMP-2.X\share\gimp\2.0\scripts) and then go to Filters Menu > Script-Fu > Refresh Scripts.

On an open image in GIMP 2.4, go to Filters > Animation > Animated Fire... (If you're using GIMP 2.2 or other version below GIMP 2.4, you can find it here: Filters > Animation > Animators > Animated Fire...) Set the parameters as desired and a new, animated flame image will be created for you personal enjoyment!    Save as an animated gif.

If you leave the defaults, the animation will look just like the one described in the tutorial steps, or my preview (but I shrunk that down to be more dial-up friendly.)

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Art

Great script Fence...

But now I need to fiddle and get my name or something IN the flames... muahahahhaaa

Thanks, guys!  You might be interested in this script then: http://www.gimptalk.com/forum/topic.php?t=8529  (link to script is in the middle of the page) I haven't tried it out, but it looks like it might be what you want.  I don't think the fire looks as realistic in that one (the script uses a different method for creating the flames), but at least that script gives some kind of "real" use for it.  Maybe I can incorporate those things into mine.

Art

Posted on: April 30, 2008, 12:39:28 AM

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I've modified the 2.4 script to allow it to use a specified gradient; the default is set to use the "Incandescent" gradient.  I think it looks more realistic that way.  I've added some new preview images to the first post that show the outcome using different gradients.  I'll modify the 2.2 script tomorrow sometime.

Art

Hey Fence good to see you and thank you for the new script. 

Nah its cool and all but not what I am looking to do... I'll post a successful one... key word, successful

Cool!  Let me know if you have any suggestions for improvement or what you have in mind for your name in flames.  Maybe I can figure out how to do that.

@ everyone else:  You're welcome!  Glad to be of service. 

Art