How to use GIMP: Simple get-you-started guide for beginners.

Here is a simple tutorial to help you get started using the GIMP image editing software.

You need to initially download the GIMP software from https://www.gimp.org/downloads/

1. Loading an image File and Saving / Exporting.

Start the GIMP program. Wait till the screen is filled with a largely dark grey rectangle, with scales along the top and down the left side. Across the top note the clickable links: File, Edit, Select etc.

1.1 Loading an image file

To load an image file from your PC folder:

File, Open, Documents or Pictures, and choose an image, typically type .jpg or .png

Choose an image that does not matter too much if you accidentally delete it or modify it and then overwrite it.

You should now see the image displayed as a rectangle in the middle of the screen, like this:

GIMP display screen

1.2 Saving / Exporting an image

You now have the opportunity to modify the image in some way, but for the moment, we will simply Save or Export the image.

Option 1: Click File, Save

If you follow this it will save the image using file type .xcf

.xcf file type means: " eXperimental Computing Facility". The saved file type is peculiar to GIMP and the file contains additional information. It is helpful to have this if you intend to re-edit the image file later.

Option 2: Click File, Save As

If you follow this it will give you the opportunity to change the file name and will then save the image using file type .xcf

Option 3: Click File, Export As

This is important, as most times you will want the output file suitable for the internet etc. You choose the file type, for example .jpg, .png etc. Once you click Export there will be a delay until a smaller screen pops up with the Export options.

You have the opportunity to set the quality. 50% helps reduce the file size in bytes which is very important for web server and visitor speed of download. 90% or 100% is highest quality if further processing is anticipated or high quality printed output intended.

2. Modifying or editing an image with GIMP.

2.1 Image scaling. Changing the pixel dimensions

Once you have loaded an image you may make it larger or small smaller and the save the result.

With the image in the middle of the screen, do Image, Scale Image. You will see a pop up window something like this:

Scaling or adjusting image dimensions

Note the pixel Width and edit this number to something different. Then click px.

The intended width will now be as you input. The intended Height will have changed as well to keep the image proportions unchanged. This automatic change is because the ratio lock in ON. Note the small complete rectangular chain link between the width/height boxes and the px box. If you click on the rectangular link you can 'break' the link and this will allow you to change the proportions. Try these two options. Then click Scale to implement the scaling of the image.

Set the image pixel dimensions with consideration to likely screen size of the viewer's device. Smaller pixel size images are also faster to download.

2.2 Image Perspective adjustment.

Let us say you have a camera image of a rectangular object, such as a book cover, but the positions of the book and camera have no been carefully set up so that the camera was on the normal to the centre of the flat book cover. This example below illustrates the problem:

Image with distorted perspective

Note that the sides of the book slope inwards towards the top. The objective is to straighten tem up.

Do Tools, Transform Tools, Perspective.

Image with corrected perspective

Note the yellow diamonds appearing at the corners. Click on each of the top corners and drag them apart until the sides pg the book cover are parallel with the black/orange rectangular outline. Click Transform to implement the image transformation.

Having done this you will need to do "Image, Scale Image" and alter the Height only until the book looks as it should, i.e. rectangular.

Any queries of contributions please e-mail me Eric Johnston

Page started 21 Feb 2024, amended 21 Feb 2024