NWE Help: Graphics: ImageMagick: Composite

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ImageMagick's composite feature allows you to create montages of several images by choosing from a variety of options: Add, Subtract, Difference, etc.

First, open a file you want to alter. Then select Image Edit > and choose Composite.

Choose the image file you want to join with the first image you opened. Select Composite. If you get a message that says "your image doesn't have the required matte information, press dismiss to choose an image to use as a mask," ignore the message. It will dissapear and the box that allows you to choose another image file will open again. This time you be allowed to choose the image file you want.

Then a new dialogue box will open with several choices.

Blend will do just that: blend two images together. If you choose Blend, a box will open asking you for a numerical blend factor. The higher the number, the less the image will blend. After selecting the number you want, place your cursor over the image you are blending into, and release the mouse button. The second image you choose will then appear in its blended form.

Displace operates the same way, only its effect creates a noisy result.

Most of the composite options are under Operators. Each of these options will do a number of things. For example, Over will place another image over the previously opened image, but not in an opaque manner. Choose Over from the toolbar, place your cursor over the previously opened image where you want the second image to appear, and release the mouse button. This process works for each option.

am example of using Over with two images. The sailor image was placed over the image of Billie Holiday.

The composite feature can create complex images. The trick is to experiment with each option and to play with the numerical values when such options exist.