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 :



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



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 :



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

this is getting better and better

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.

A crash may happen if you have too big layers.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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).

I really like those Lyle.

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.

Thanks Molly.

lylejk: oooooh paisleys! beautiful!

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



And this, as an experiment :

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

Well done Chris !

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

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.