Ok since you ran into problems, I'm thinking we'd be best ruling out the font thing:
Use the blank gif, to start up IM.
Click Anotate, then enter some text in top box.
Enter the url to any font from your server.
Click Anotate button to see if it works.
If not, try a different font. If the second time doesn't work,
try this url instead:
http://toolman.hostrocket.com/AtLastGreeting.ttf
Let me know if the simple test with Angelfire worked, or failed. And if it failed, let me know if the other location worked.
After you're done with your image effects, and are ready to apply text, click the Annotate button in the top menu.
Enter your text into the first box (not shown since it's obvious).
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Set the Gravity (2) to Northwest so you'll be working with Left/Top start points as zero (which is how I'm using to working, so it's better I explain what I know). First number in Offset (1) is Left, which means how far from the LEFT you want the text to be. Second number in Offset (1) is Top, which means how far down from the TOP you want the text to be. In my screenshot, +0+10 will make the text appear zero pixels from the LEFT, and 10 pixels from the TOP. Pixels are the units that images are measured by; if your image is 200x100, then it's 200 pixels wide by 100 pixels tall (height). There's approximately 72 pixels/inch.
Fill Color (3) is what color the main text will be. Stroke Color (4) is what color the border of the text will be. Leave blank if bordered text is undesirable. Skipping to Stroke Width (7) is how wide the border will be (if a stroke color is set):
(Stroke color=Purple, Fill color=White...antialias is checked [see below]) Back to Undercolor (5), that's if you'd like for the text to have a background (I don't like it, but it might have a use): Pointsize (6) is how large you want the text to be. This one is the one that will give you the most trouble, because one font that's sized at 26 points will be much larger, or smaller, than another font that's also set at 26 points. I guess font designer world can't regulate that 8^) So, for your font's, I've shown most at size 26, with a few others at larger sizes because they didn't work that great at size 26. You don't have to use the font sizes I've used; they're just to give you an idea of how they'll appear. But since font point sizes give everyone a hard time at first, I thought it would be easier on you to include the sizes I used in the screenshots (on the font previews page).
The HTTP box (8) is where you paste in the url to the font (ttf). On the font preview page, I've included the full url right under each font, so copying it will be easy for you.
At the bottom of the options is Antialias: If you're making an image with NO transparency, then you'll probably want to leave this checked like it is. But if the text is going to have transparency around it, then you'll probably want to UNcheck it. Here's why: The top A has antialis turned OFF; see how it's blocky looking when magnified? The bottom A has antialias turned ON; see how the edges are slightly blurred? Here's some normal sized examples: Most times, antialias looks better...BUT not if the text is going to be against transparency!! It's the blurry edges that give the dreaded gif glow. So remember to turn antialias off if you're making a transparent gif to avoid dreaded gif glow: That covers most of what you'll need to know in order to place text on your images with full control. Most of the options I didn't cover, I don't expect you'll want to use. After making your choices, you're ready to scroll back up and click on the Annotate button that's under the Offset/Gravity options. |
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