Trying to create graphic with text using GD2...

doublewam

I am trying to write a simple script that will use GD2 and PHP to create a simple graphic and insert some dynamic text in it. GD2 is installed on the server and seems to be working ok with 3rd party apps.

I cant seem to get even the most basic scripts to work. For instance, the following code is from the php.net Web site. It just brings up a blank page for me...no image.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

<?php

header("Content-type: image/png");
$string = "This is a test";
$im = imagecreatefrompng("images/button1.png");
$orange = imagecolorallocate($im, 220, 210, 60);
$px = (imagesx($im) - 7.5 * strlen($string)) / 2;
imagestring($im, 3, $px, 9, $string, $orange);
imagepng($im);
imagedestroy($im);

harmor

I am hoping you have an image here "images/button1.png"

Change this line
$im = imagecreatefrompng("images/button1.png");

To
$im = imagecreatefrompng("./images/button1.png");

I added a dot and a slash before "image"
Just incase you don't notice it.

doublewam

I don't understand. I don't have an image at "images/button1.png" because I thought the whole point was that PHP & GD2 created the image dynamically?

The path should be correct for where I wish to have the image created.

Also, I am not married to this way of doing it, I was just provided a sample of what is not working. I cant seem to get ANY code to work that is supposed to create a graphic and put dynamic text on it.

harmor wrote:
I am hoping you have an image here "images/button1.png"

Change this line
$im = imagecreatefrompng("images/button1.png");

To
$im = imagecreatefrompng("./images/button1.png");

I added a dot and a slash before "image"
Just incase you don't notice it.

harmor

What that code is doing is writing text to an existing image.

harmor

Here's a tutorial making a new image and writing text to it with php
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorial/Create-a-blank-image-with-text-and-bg-color/5301

doublewam

ok...getting closer...

When using the sample code provided with teh tutorial...I am now getting a blue box BUT the text does not appear in it.

Below is the code....

<?php
// 200 is width / 30 is height
$TheImage = Imagecreate("200", "30");

// We want to color the image Blue..
// We use 0x before the HEX value so you can use the hex value..
// If you do not use 0x then you must give in a 0-255 value for the color.
$ColorImage = imagecolorallocate($TheImage, 0x00, 0x00, 0xFF);

// Color the text...
$ColorText = imagecolorallocate($TheImage, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF);

// printing the text:
// $TheImage is so it prints on that image.
// 14 is how large the font is
// 0 is the rotation (add and the right side will tip up)
// 5 is how far it is from the left side of the image
// 20 is how far it is from the top of the image
// $ColorText gives the text its color
// Verdana is the font it uses
// Some sample text is the text is prints...
ImageTTFText($TheImage, 14, 0, 5, 20, $ColorText, "Verdana", "Some sample text");

// Let the browser know that it is an image..
header("Content-Type: image/PNG");

// We want to show the image (in png format...)
ImagePng ($TheImage);
?>

harmor

Do a seach for "verdana.ttf", and upload it in the same directory you have the php file in.
In your script change "Verdana" to "verdana"

doublewam

Did both...copied verdana.ttf to the same directory and made sure it had read permission and made it lower case in my code...still no text on the graphic.

---edit---

I just figured it out...I hade to put the whole filename 'verdana.ttf' in my code. It works now. Thanks so much for your help.

doublewam

Final question I hope!!!

The following code works, but it makes the browser directly open the image. How do I make it so I can call this image from inside another HTML page?

<?php
// 200 is width / 30 is height
$TheImage = Imagecreate("75", "25");

// Color the text...
$ColorText = imagecolorallocate($TheImage, 0, 0, 0);
$ColorLine = imagecolorallocate($TheImage, 75, 75, 75);

// printing the text:
// $TheImage is so it prints on that image.
// 14 is how large the font is
// 0 is the rotation (add and the right side will tip up)
// 15 is how far it is from the left side of the image
// 20 is how far it is from the top of the image
// $ColorText gives the text its color
// Verdana is the font it uses
// Some sample text is the text is prints...

$secret = substr(md5(uniqid(rand())), 0, 5);
$secret = strtoupper($secret);

imageline($TheImage, 75, 8, 0, 15, $ColorLine);
ImageTTFText($TheImage, 12, -5, 16, 20, $ColorText, "times.ttf", $secret);

// Let the browser know that it is an image..
header("Content-Type: image/PNG");

// We want to show the image (in png format...)
ImagePng ($TheImage);
?>

harmor

Let's say you called your image file "image.php" in another file you would use
<img src="image.php" />

doublewam

I'm sorry, I don't follow you.

I tried <img src="<?php include('myimage.php'); ?>" />

In the browser it shows jibberish...the browser is not seeing it as an image.

harmor

doublewam wrote:
I'm sorry, I don't follow you.

I tried <img src="<?php include('myimage.php'); ?>" />

In the browser it shows jibberish...the browser is not seeing it as an image.

Why in the hell did you use include?
Did you see me use include?

I am assuming that myimage.php is the name of the file that manipulates the image.
Let's say that this image is in the same exact directory of the file you want to display the image. (yikes I better re-phrase that....oh screw it).

Let's say that you had index.html and index.php (it doesn't have to be limited to these incase you're wondering.)
You would put <img src="myimage.php />"

All you do is treat the php image just like another image file.

doublewam

umm...er...I got it!!! It works now.

I think the trouble before was that I have been banging my head into my desk for so long over this, the grey ooz that seeped out of my ear effected my thinking.

Thanks so much. I should send you a check.