Moving from convert command to straight PHP for ImageMagick - php

Question

I am moving to a new hosting company that will not allow me to exec a convert command for ImageMagick. So I now have to attempt to do it through straight PHP. I have spent quite a bit of time trying to figure it out and every where that I look, people recommend using the convert command like I am. I would appreciate any help or guidance in writing the following commands in straight PHP.
# Applies overlay $filter_image to the original $image
convert $image ( -clone 0 -alpha off $filter_image -compose SoftLight -composite ) -compose SrcIn -composite $output_image
and
# Apply a blur to an image
convert $image -blur 0x$blur_radius $output_image
UPDATE:
I have figured out the syntax and posted it as an answer.

Answer 1

Best of luck Joe; I would recomend changing to a host that will let you use exec.
I have some examples of the imagick functions on my site that you may be able to cobble something together with: http://www.rubblewebs.co.uk/imagick/functions/function.php
I have just noticed I posted the Imagemagick code not the Imagick !
This is as you now know the blur code for Imagick:
bool blurImage ( float $radius , float $sigma [, int $channel ] )
<?php
$im = new Imagick($input);
$im->blurImage( 0, 3 );
$im->writeImage('blurImage.jpg');
$im->destroy();
?>
Might be worth adding an Imagick tag to your post as that is what you want to use?

Answer 2

I finally figured it out on my own. Here is the solution in case anyone else runs into this.
Blur an image...
$imagick = new Imagick($image);
$imagick->blurImage(0,$blur_radius);
$imagick->writeImage($output_image);
Add an overlay to an image...
$imagick = new Imagick($image);
$overlay = new Imagick($filter_image);
$imagick->compositeImage($overlay, imagick::COMPOSITE_SOFTLIGHT, 0, 0);
$imagick->writeImage($output_image);
You can easily combine the two methods as well and blur the image and then add a composite overlay to it.
$imagick = new Imagick($image);
$imagick->blurImage(0,$blur_radius);
$overlay = new Imagick($filter_image);
$imagick->compositeImage($overlay, imagick::COMPOSITE_SOFTLIGHT, 0, 0);
$imagick->writeImage($output_image);