Ok, I'm new to inkscape and svg files, so I may be going about this all wrong.... but here I am

I have text that I want to make 3d-ish looking. I found the 'smart jelly' filter gives me the look I want, but too much. It doesn't seem to have a way to adjust how much of the filter is used, it just is or isn't.

But... I realized I could duplicate the unfiltered text, then put it on top of the filtered text, adjust the opacity, and get the look I want.

The problem is, I haven't been able to merge/combine/union the two text objects so they are one. It would be much easier to work with if they are one thing, rather than me having to move one, then the other, and line them up again, each time I go to manipulate them.

Where am I going wrong here?

Is there another way to adjust the smart jelly filter's intensity?

I'll attach a sample file of where I am with this,

Chris

Hi.

To adjust the filter you can use the filter editor.
Add a composite filter primitive and connect it with the source graphic, then
set the composite to arithmetic and
set k2 to 0,42 and k3 to 0,58.

That must sound too complicated and the filter editor doesn't make it easier either, so here is the sample edited alike:

Thank you so much for this. Sorry it took me a bit to get back to this post, been down with a cold the last few days.

Your instructions were a bit over my head Thank you very much for the file! Very nice to come back after being sick and still not feeling my best and to find this little present I really appreciate it,

Chris

You are welcome!