How to create dynamic images by using text-based variables?

[DaveLinger]

so I have a database with a bunch of "missions", and for each one I have lots of stats, including processor, data bus, etc. I'd like to retrieve these variables (not a problem) then put them in a certain place on my template image (problem). I have GD on my server for image manipulation, but have no explerience with it. can someone explain to me how to put the contents of a variable containing text into an image using GD?

Here's an example:

[img]http://www.pcritics.com/images/other/example.JPG[/img]

And my template:

[img]http://www.pcritics.com/images/other/template.JPG[/img]

[zq29]

Here's an example from the manual, using the function imagettftext() :
[code=php:0]<?php
// Set the content-type
header("Content-type: image/png");

// Create the image
$im = imagecreatetruecolor(400, 30);

// Create some colors
$white = imagecolorallocate($im, 255, 255, 255);
$grey = imagecolorallocate($im, 128, 128, 128);
$black = imagecolorallocate($im, 0, 0, 0);
imagefilledrectangle($im, 0, 0, 399, 29, $white);

// The text to draw
$text = 'Testing...';
// Replace path by your own font path
$font = 'arial.ttf';

// Add some shadow to the text
imagettftext($im, 20, 0, 11, 21, $grey, $font, $text);

// Add the text
imagettftext($im, 20, 0, 10, 20, $black, $font, $text);

// Using imagepng() results in clearer text compared with imagejpeg()
imagepng($im);
imagedestroy($im);
?>[/code]

[DaveLinger]

thanks! Just a few questions...

how would I use my own image instead of a filled white rectangle? ;D

also, in "imagettftext($im, 20, 0, 10, 20, $black, $font, $text);", are 20,0,10,20 the co-ordinates for the location of the text or what? ???

[Orio]

20- size
0- angle
10- x-coord
20- y-coord

[url=http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.imagettftext.php]imagettftext()[/url]

Orio.

[DaveLinger]

[hug]

now what about using my own image as the background instead of the white block?

[zq29]

You could use [url=http://www.php.net/imagecreatefromjpeg]imagecreatefromjpeg()[/url]

All of the GD functions can be found at php.net/gd for future reference! :)

[DaveLinger]

Thanks!

(these new smileys are like satanic)