There is a way to find out how long a path is; You can find that number, enable 'use gradient' in the paint tool, and set the length of the gradient to match that number. Then stroking the path should give the result you want.

That is if you want a gradient ALONG the path.

If you want a gradient in the brush instead, I suggest you: * Make a new transparent layer to hold the brush * Draw the brush once onto the layer (like, a single click with the Paintbrush tool
* Enable 'keep alpha' for the brush layer * Fill with the gradient so it fits the brush how you want it to * Select->all
* Edit->copy
* Select the 'clipboard' brush
* Stroke the path

If you want to keep the brush so you can reuse it -- you can just go to the brushes dialog and duplicate it.

GIMP >=2.3.9 required.

On 1/22/07, Gimp wrote:

I'm trying to avoid buying Photoshop and use the GIMP instead. I need to do the technique described at either of the following pages:

http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/5433

http://www.graphics.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=262

Thus I want to use a gradient brush along a path. I tried to do this with the GIMP but it doesn't seem to be possible. The GIMP seems to have the concept of gradients, brushes, paths, and strokes, but doesn't seem to be able to stroke a gradient brush along a path. Strictly speaking, there is an option in the GIMP to stroke a path with a brush set to use a gradient, but it doesn't do what most users would expect (i.e. what Photoshop and Illustrator do) and thus doesn't work. Feel free to correct any mistakes or misunderstandings related to the GIMP here.

Question: Is there a way to do the above with the GIMP or do I need to shell out $600 for Photoshop?

Thank you.

Gimp wrote:

I'm trying to avoid buying Photoshop and use the GIMP instead. I need to do the technique described at either of the following pages:

http://tutorialoutpost.com/count/5433
http://www.graphics.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=262

Thus I want to use a gradient brush along a path. I tried to do this with the GIMP but it doesn't seem to be possible. The GIMP seems to have the concept of gradients, brushes, paths, and strokes, but doesn't seem to be able to stroke a gradient brush along a path. Strictly speaking, there is an option in the GIMP to stroke a path with a brush set to use a gradient, but it doesn't do what most users would expect (i.e. what Photoshop and Illustrator do) and thus doesn't work. Feel free to correct any mistakes or misunderstandings related to the GIMP here.

Question: Is there a way to do the above with the GIMP or do I need to shell out $600 for Photoshop?

At first sight, this just looks like a custom brush stroked along a path. Maybe I'm missing something...

If you are after a neon-glow effect for any selection, I suggest you look for the Script-fu->Alpha to Logo scripts. There are various scripts in here to take the alpha channel from a layer and make interesting effects.

Alternatively, you can try using the "Stroke Path" options too (part of the "Path" tool). Create the path you wish to stroke with any tool. Then, set the brush you wish to use. Finally, choose "Stroke Path" in the Path tool options window, select the type of tool (airbrush/paint/etc.) and click OK.

I also recommend that you take a look at the latest release of Inkscape if you want to do a lot of this stuff. If your work is intrinsically vector-like, you may find it a better fit. Take a look at this image, for example.

http://inkscape.org/screenshots/gallery/inkscape-0.45-3D-rope.png

Cheers, Toby Haynes