LSE - is a powerful script for creation effect of the lightsaber. This script use only GIMP procedures and don't require any external scripts or plug-ins. Script doesn't has any license, so you may use it's code for any purpose.

Changes in LSE 2.1:

• Using separate image for undo stack support.
• Faster core.
• Separate colors for glow core and main glow.
• Color profiles.
• Relative settings for glow size.
• Optimization and code cleanup.

First step: preparing image

LSE use "blade layer". this layer is required for correct script execution. It's easy to create such layer. Create new transparent layer, lead round shape of desired saber's blade by using "Lasso" tool (selection should be closed) and fill it with white color (or any else color). "Blade layer" is ready. Deselect entire image and make sure blade layer is selected, then you may proceed to next step.

Original	Prepared image	Layers scheme

Second step: launching LSE

Launch LSE script by using GIMP menu (Filters - RSS - LSE).

Script interface

Third step: script settings

Use new core - this option enable LSE new core abilities. This option is active by default. If this option is inactive then old core will be exectuted. Old core was lefted cause new core still need some optimization and fixes. New core is faster for nearly two times than old core, but old core gives more acceptable result.

Set color profile - a list of prepared color profiles for toning saber's glow. Element "User colors" is selected by default and set to script to do nothing with colors which was set by user by options "Core color" and "Main color" (see below). Element "Core color => Glow color" link core color to main glow color. Element "Glow color => Core color" do exactly opposite. Rest of the elements is a group of prepared color profiles for saber's blade.

Core glow size - option set blur size of bright glow nearby "blade layer". This options use relative units for glow size in percent of bigger side of image.

Main glow size - option set blur size of color glow around "blade layer". This options use relative units for glow size in percent of bigger side of image.

Core color - option set color of saber's core glow color.

Main color - option set color of saber's main glow color.

"Sky" mode - this option enable saber's blade overlay alternative mode. This mode is required for correct overlay on bright backgrounds.


Fourth step: script execution

After setting up script's options press OK button to begin execution.

Result image

This script - is a very first script which I begin to develop and dare to publish it. During production of new projects I had to review concept of this script and rewrite it almost "from a scrath". Previous version processed image too slow because that I had to write new core for script. Now script is fast enough to process huge images. Also color profiles had been developed for creating most typical lightsabers.

LSE will develop in further, but I cann't really tell in what form it will. This is difficult to predict while GIMP preparing to major changes.



e-mail: spoilt.exile@gmail.com
jabber: spoilt_exile@draugr.de