Turn text into a mask

[dfansler]

I am running GIMP 2.10.20 (revision 1).  I am designing a logo for my boat - the name is Dragon Fire.  I have an image of dragon breathing fire, along with the text "Dragon Fire"  Rather than having solid color text, I decided to make the text filled with the flame.  So I made a new layer and copied the flame into it.  The flame has been placed under the text.  This flame layer is just beneath the text layer.

I did a rectangular selection of the text (which has a transparent background) and made a mask using the selection.  I subtracted this from the flame layer, but got a rectangular product.

How can I turn the text itself into a mask to subtract from the flame?

Thanks,
David

[rich2005]

You want the fire inside the text ?

Staring with a base layer (you can always delete it afterwards - makes visibility easier)
A text layer above that .
The flames layer above that.

1) In the text layer, make the text a selection Layers -> Transparency -> Alpha to Selection
2) On to the fire layer and add a layer mask Layer -> Mask -> Add layer Mask and use the Selection option.

and thats it....example 30 second animation: https://i.imgur.com/qVVPorI.mp4

[dfansler]

PERFECT - Thanks so much!
David

[Ofnuts]

A technique that allows you to edit both text and filler independently:

• Create a layer group
  
• Add the filler layer, set to multiply
  
• Add the text layer below it, with text in white