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The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) is a powerful application that can alter, manipulate, enhance, and create digital image files. FIXME discusses how to start the application. The following sections discuss the main features of the application.
To save an image file, right-click on the image, choose File, and select either Save or Save As. The Save Image window opens. Navigate to the directory where you would like to save your file. Enter a name for your file in the field at the bottom of the window.
You must choose a file type for your image. By default, the GIMP will save your file according to the extension you type at the end of your file name. You may also select the file type from the Determine File Type drop-down menu above the file name field. When you are ready to save, click the OK button.
Depending on the file type you selected, another window with options may open. Ingeneral, it is a good idea to accept the settings that the GIMP suggests. Click the OK button again to complete the save process.
To crop an image:
Open the image.
Right click on the image and select Tools => Transform Tools => Crop and Resize.
Left-click and drag the mouse pointer to create a frame that fits the part of the image to keep.
Click the Crop button in the window that opens as you drag the frame across the image.
If you are unhappy with the cropped image, press
To Rotate an Image:
Open the image.
Right-click on the image and select Image => Transform, then select any of the Flip or Rotate options.
If you are unhappy with the changes, press
To Add Text to an Image:
Open the image.
Right-click on the image and select Tools => Paint Tools => Text.
Left-click where the text should begin.
Type the text into the GIMP Text Editor window.
Click the OK button.
Your text appears on the image.
If you are unhappy with the changes, press
To apply a filter:
Open the file.
Right-click on the image and select Filters.
Choose any of the filters available.
Choose options for the filter.
Click the OK button.
If you are unhappy with the changes, press
To create a new image:
Choose File => New.
Ener the image size, image type, and fill type of the file.
Click the OK button.
Edit and manipulate the image with the GIMP's various tools.
Save your file.
While this chapter covers image applications briefly, there is much more detailed information available. Refer to the following resources if you are interested in learning more about the applications in this chapter.
The GIMP has a help browser accessible by choosing Help => Help... from the GIMP toolbar menu. This is an excellent place to begin searching for answers. However, if the Help menu does not provide enough information, try the following resources:
The Web has several sites of interest if you are looking for more detailed information about an application covered in this chapter:
http://www.gimp.org/ — The official GIMP website.
http://www.rru.com/~meo/gimp/faq-user.html — A GIMP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list by GIMP users (as opposed to developers).
http://gimp-savvy.com/ — The companion website to the book Grokking the GIMP, by Carey Bunks. The entire book is also available on the site for download
http://tigert.gimp.org/gimp/ — The GIMP website of tigert (Tuomas Kuosmanen).
If you need in-depth information about the many capabilities of the GIMP, try your favorite bookstore. The following books were available at the time of this writing:
The Artists' Guide to the GIMP by Michael J. Hammel; Frank Kasper and Associates, Inc.
GIMP Essential Reference by Alex Harford; New Riders Publishing
GIMP for Linux Bible by Stephanie Cottrell Bryant, et al; Hungry Minds, Inc.
GIMP: The Official Handbook by Karin Kylander and Olof S. Kylander; Coriolis Group
Grokking the GIMP by Carey Bunks; New Riders Publishing
Sams Teach Yourself GIMP in 24 Hours by Joshua and Ramona Pruitt; Sams
GIMP Pocket Reference by Sven Neumann; O'Reilly and Associates