Creating and Editing Images in GIMP
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1. Opening an image and checking its format
- Open the GIMP program.
- Select File → Open… and choose an image.
- Check the file format shown in the title bar (e.g. JPG, PNG, XCF).
- If you want to save a copy with a different format:
- select File → Export As…,
- change the file extension (e.g. .jpg),
- click Export.
Remember: XCF – saves layers, JPG – photos, PNG – transparency, GIF – simple graphics/animation, TIFF – high-quality print.
2. Improving photo quality – colour and sharpening
- Open a colourful image (e.g. winter forest).
- Try different colour changes in the Colors menu (sepia, grayscale, etc.).
- If the image is blurry:
- choose Filters → Enhance → Sharpen (Unsharp Mask),
- adjust the sliders Radius and Amount.
3. Working with layers – boat picture
- Open the boat image.
- Add a new layer and draw a sun.
- Add another layer and draw a cloud.
- Add another layer and draw a flag.
- If something overlaps incorrectly:
- change the order of layers in the Layers panel.
- Save your project in two versions:
- XCF – editable version with layers,
- JPG – final flat image.
4. Drawing rectangles and ellipses
- Select either the Rectangle Select or Ellipse Select tool.
- Drag to create a shape on the image.
- Fill the shape with colour using:
Edit → Fill with FG Color.
- Remove the selection: Select → None.
5. Adding text
- Select the Text Tool (A).
- Click where you want to place the text.
- Type the text (e.g. Winter).
- Choose the font, colour and size in the tool options.
- The text is on a separate layer – you can move it freely.
- When finished, you can merge it with the image: Layer → Merge Down.
6. Photomontage – “Animal in the City”
- Open two images: a city background and an animal.
- Use the Intelligent Scissors tool to mark around the animal.
- Click around the edge to complete the selection.
- Edit → Copy.
- Switch to the city picture and paste as a new layer:
Edit → Paste As → New Layer.
- Move and scale the animal if needed.
- Export the result as a JPG file.
7. Photo collage
- Create a new file with File → New… (e.g. 1600×1200 px).
- Add each photo as a separate layer:
File → Open As Layers….
- Arrange the photos using the Move Tool.
- To crop a shape (e.g. ellipse):
- make an elliptical selection,
- Select → Invert,
- Edit → Clear.
- When finished, merge all layers:
Image → Flatten Image.
- Save as XCF and export as JPG.
Most important tips
- Always save your working project as XCF.
- Use Colors and Filters menus to improve and stylize your image.
- Each element (text, cloud, animal) should have its own layer.