Packing multiple sprites

Ronounours · **Joined:** Jan 03, 2011 **Posts:** 1656

Hi there,
I've updated the G'MIC filter 'Patterns / Pack Sprites', and it is now able to pack multiple sprites on the same image. Each sprite much be located on a different layer. You can also add a bottom layer for additional masking (as before).

Here is an example. You can start with three different layers, here containing some text :

Attachment:

gmic_pack_multisprites.png [ 72.29 KiB | Viewed 6614 times ]

Then, you call 'G'MIC / Patterns / Pack sprites', do not forget to select 'Input Layers -> All' :

Attachment:

gmic_pack_multisprites1.png [ 85.1 KiB | Viewed 6614 times ]

Set your desired parameters, then click 'OK' and go for a coffee (having more sprites make the filter slower to compute). Then you get your result :

Attachment:

gmic_pack_multisprites2.png [ 663.38 KiB | Viewed 6614 times ]

Note that the sprites are really *randomly* packed, and if your sprites are not easily "packable", they may not appear at all in the final result ! (esp. if you consider a lot of different sprites to pack).
I would suggest to try packing sprites with equivalent sizes, for an optimal result.

Well, that's it. Now back to work

Esper · **Joined:** Jul 17, 2012 **Posts:** 2769

this is getting better and better

sallyanne · **Posted:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:17 am **(#3)**

Worked for me once. Then Gimp_GMIC crashed. I made sure I had 3 layers both times.

GIMP Error
Plug-in crashed: "gmic_gimp.exe"
(C:\Users\*****\.gimp-2.8\plug-ins\gmic_gimp.exe)

The dying plug-in may have messed up GIMP's internal state. You may want to save your images and restart GIMP to be on the safe side.

Ronounours · **Joined:** Jan 03, 2011 **Posts:** 1656

A crash may happen if you have too big layers.

Ronounours · **Joined:** Jan 03, 2011 **Posts:** 1656

Another example I've made, with 4 different hearts, packed inside a heart-shaped mask.
Maybe a bit too much... :heart

Attachment:

we_love_you.png [ 368.75 KiB | Viewed 6508 times ]

2-ton · **Posted:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:45 am **(#6)**

I have updated several times but it has partial failure...samj...and pack sprites is not there under patterns????
*adding screen shot ...

Ronounours · **Joined:** Jan 03, 2011 **Posts:** 1656

2-ton, you need at least version 1.5.6.0+ of the G'MIC plug-in to get the updates.
You should consider updating it as soon as possible.

2-ton · **Posted:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:59 am **(#8)**

I am not sure how, I use McGimp and it comes with G'Mic already installed in the program.

Odinbc · **Posted:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:25 am **(#9)**

There are G'MIC 1.5.6.0, Leopard, Lion & Mountain versions at SourceForge.
On Gimp Chat this install info may help, Adding G'MIC to Mac OS X 10.6.7.

lylejk · **Joined:** Sep 24, 2010 **Posts:** 12828

Wow David; fantastic heart result. Going to have some fun very soon with this one (way too tired now, but I did also update GIMP to 2.8.6 as well; lol).

molly · **Joined:** Apr 07, 2010 **Posts:** 14182

I really like those Lyle.

Ronounours · **Joined:** Jan 03, 2011 **Posts:** 1656

What I can suggest is that the more sprites you have, the more 'precision' should be considered in the packing algorithm. It corresponds to the number of attempts made to pack a sprite somewhere (randomly chosen) in the image.

lylejk · **Joined:** Sep 24, 2010 **Posts:** 12828

Thanks Molly.

AnMal · **Posted:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:37 pm **(#14)**

lylejk: oooooh paisleys! beautiful! :spring

Ronounours · **Joined:** Jan 03, 2011 **Posts:** 1656

Two new examples of use. Timothée Giet gave me a nice idea for a new filter using pack sprites, I'll code it tomorrow.
So,... more to come soon...

Because GIMP is not the only one

Attachment:

love_krita.jpg [ 135.1 KiB | Viewed 2386 times ]

And this, as an experiment :

Attachment:

joconde_packed.jpg [ 348.33 KiB | Viewed 2386 times ]

Chris F · **Posted:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 3:28 pm **(#16)**

Hehe...i think i have a new playground for text effects... :mrgreen:

Ronounours · **Joined:** Jan 03, 2011 **Posts:** 1656

Well done Chris !

Esper · **Joined:** Jul 17, 2012 **Posts:** 2769

i think you have opened a whole new level for Gimp with this filter, Rononours
:bigthup

garagecoder · **Posted:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:50 pm **(#19)**

Ronounours wrote:

Because GIMP is not the only one

lylejk · **Joined:** Sep 24, 2010 **Posts:** 12828

AnMal wrote:

lylejk: oooooh paisleys! beautiful! :spring

Thanks AnMal. One more observation. If your target canvas base layer is square, I have no problem, but if your canvas base layer is rectangular, the plugin will likely crash. I first made the overall canvas base layer square, ran the preset then auto-cropped.