16.13. Cool Metal
| 16. Alpha to Logo Filters |

### 16.13. Cool Metal

#### 16.13.1. Overview

Figura 16.362. Example for the “Cool Metal” filter

The “Cool Metal” filter

The “Cool Metal” logo

This filter creates an effect that looks like metal with a reflection in the mirrored ground, and an interesting drop shadow.

The filter is derived from the “Cool Metal” script (File → Create → Logos → Cool Metal in the image window), which creates a logo from a text as shown above.

#### 16.13.2. Activate the filter

This filter is found in the image window menu under Filters → Alpha to Logo → Cool Metal.

#### 16.13.3. Options

Figura 16.363. “Cool Metal” options

Effect size (pixels)

  This is actually the font size option of the “Cool Metal” Script-Fu script. Some internal values will be set in relation to this size, for feathering, blurring, embossing, and creating ripple patterns.

The color of the background layer added by the filter. When you click on the color button, a color select dialog pops up.

  The color of the background layer added by the filter. When you click in the color swatch button, the color select dialog pops up.

Gradient

  The default gradient to create the cool metal is “Horizon 1”. Clicking in the gradient button will open a simplified gradient dialog, where you can select any other gradient.

Gradient reverse

  By default, the selected gradient will be applied from top to bottom. When this option is checked, the direction will be reversed.

#### 16.13.4. The numerous options may give the impression that this is a very complicate filter, but actually it is fairly simple. The interesting part is how the filter handles the active layer and the outline layer:

At least some of the filter effects should be described briefly: how the filter creates the reflection and this nice shadow, or rather, how you can reproduce these effects manually. In fact, the only trick is to know which tool to use...

Making the reflection

Assuming that the alpha has been filled with a gradient, then:

1. Create a new layer containing the area you want to mirror, for example Copy and Paste the area in a new layer.

2. To make the reflection look more natural, scale down the layer (the filter resizes to 85% of the original height). You can do this e.g. using Scale Layer command or the Scale Tool.

3. Then flip the layer vertically and move it down.

4. Now add a layer mask, fill the layer mask with a gradient (for instance white or gray to black), and, of course, apply the layer mask.

Making the shadow

Fill the alpha with black, for instance via Duplicate Layer and Alpha to Selection, then

1. shrink and slant the layer, e.g. using the Perspective tool,

2. and apply a Gaussian Blur to the layer.

16.12. Comic Book |  | 16.14. Frosty