My new GIMP GEGL plugin named Radiance
(lb:radiance) that applies a gaussian blur behind the image, applies gegl:bloom too it and blends it with an internal linear light.. All controllable wiht sliders.
I even gave it two extra sliders to apply GEGL Bloom to the main content. It is not released yet but here is a preview
You can test this GEGL plugin without installing anything by running this syntax inside GIMP's GEGL graph
id=0
bloom strength=73 radius=3
dst-over aux=[ ref=0
id=1
gaussian-blur std-dev-x=30 std-dev-y=30
noise-spread amount-x=2 amount-y=2
bloom strength=300
opacity value=1
gimp:layer-mode layer-mode=linear-light blend-space=rgb-non-linear aux=[ ref=1 gaussian-blur std-dev-x=61 std-dev-y=61 ]
hue-chroma lightness=15 chroma=20
brightness-contrast brightness=0.7
]
The first bloom controls the original image, the second one is the aura. The linear light blend mode applying on transparency is what makes it glow better.
