GIMP Graphical Editor: how to use

The GIMP application is an open source photo editor. The utility allows you to perform correction of simple images and digital painting. Unlike the Adobe Photoshop photo editor, the GIMP program takes up little space on the hard drive and is completely free. As soon as the user gets used to the unusual interface of the application, it will become easy and pleasant to work. This article describes how to use GIMP.

Install the application

First you need to load the utility and run the installer. The GIMP program was created for Windows and MacOS operating systems. Authors offer users to download installers from the official site. To install the application on Ubuntu, run the following command: $ sudo apt install gimp. The program is launched from the main menu of the operating system.

Setting the location of windows

The user may notice that the utility is different from most similar editors. GIMP interface in Russian. The program window consists of several parts. The side panels contain toolbars and layers.

There is a working window in the center. If necessary, the panels can be moved. To return to the familiar view of the screen, select "Single Window" in the menu.

Color Correction

After installing and configuring the utility, you should return to the question of how to use the GIMP photo editor. The program is used to create digital images from scratch. The application has a large set of tools that allows you to draw original works. Ordinary users can edit photos, perform color correction and optimize other settings.

To start working, open the image. In the "Colors" menu, you will not be able to find automated tools. User can manually adjust saturation, contrast, balancing and other parameters.

Applying filters

The GIMP program allows you to improve the appearance of images with a single click of a computer mouse. Opening the "Filters" menu, you can add a lens or flash effect, blur the image and make corrections. To return the image to its original state after a failed experiment, click the cancel button.

GIMP 2 supports batch image processing. The selected filter can be applied to several photos at once.

Red-eye Reduction

In order to remove a defect, you need to select an object using the Magic Wand or Lasso tool. Then, in the "Filter" section, find the "Improve" item. Then click on the "Red-eye removal" link.

Using the slider, you can change the color. All corrections are displayed in a special window. Move the slider until the eyes become natural.

Correcting shortcomings

Editing pictures in a free GIMP is one of the key moments of photographers' work. When removing dark spots, glare on the faces, small leaves and other undesirable objects from the images, a healing brush is used. How to work with this tool?

To eliminate the shortcomings, you need to click on the icon in the form of a piece of patch and specify the size of the area for correction. The area to be painted over can be selected using the Ctrl key. Then click the left mouse button of the optical mouse on the unnecessary element. The undesired object disappears.

Return to previous state

If the owner of the computer conducts many experiments with his photos, he will soon notice that he lacks the number of levels of cancellation in GIMP. How to use the option to increase the amount of memory used? First, go to the "Edit" menu, select the "Options" section and switch to the "Environment" tab. Then you need to set the values at your discretion.

Image Transformation

This is one of the main functions of the GIMP program. How to use the "Transformation" tool? First you need to go to the section "Conversion". Here you can find all the possible options for transforming the photo. The application allows you to rotate the picture, bend the picture, change the perspective and perform other actions.

Editing layers

If the reader previously used other complex programs for creating and processing images, then he already faced a similar problem.

Working with the picture is performed only on a certain layer. This is one of the most important processes in GIMP 2. Each layer contains its part of the snapshot. If you combine all the elements, you can get the whole image. To make changes, you need to make the layer active.

If you do not perform this action, you can not edit part of the snapshot. Switching the active layers is done using the Page UP and Page Down keys. The program allows you to draw details. If the user changes his mind about adding new items, he can make the layers invisible or delete them.

Working with other tools

The developers offered users a set consisting of classic and non-standard brushes. They also provided the opportunity to create new versions of brushes. To add a tool, you need to open the "Brush" section in the left panel. Using a special slider you can change the geometry of the brush. In the same section, the result is saved.

Advanced users can create images with shades of gray. The results are saved in GBR format. Users also have the option of creating skeleton brushes and multi-colored pictures with multiple levels.

Adding a Watermark

To complete the task, you must select any graphic image and activate the "Text" tool. The area indicated by the dashed line will be used as the base layer. Then you need to prescribe the text. It is recommended to specify the font color, size and style.

After setting all the parameters, click on the text layer in the right panel. Using the slider, you can select the opacity level you want. To install the logo, go to the "File" section, click on the link "Open as layers" and specify the location of the image. Next, you need to select the value of the Opacity parameter.

Adding plug-ins

Free add-ons allow you to extend the functionality of the program. How in GIMP to use filters Photoshop? To do this, you need to install the PSPI plug-in. With the free extension of Focus Blur, you can improve the processing of the background image.

The Save For Web plugin is used when saving small pictures in good quality. To add additional fonts and text settings, you can install the Free Type Text extension.

Export photos

After you finish working with the image, you must save the result. The user can select the XCF format for exporting the image. The file saves all information about the layers. Photos exported in XCF format can not be viewed in other applications.

In order to be able to open saved pictures in other programs, you need to go to the "File" section. Then select "Export". Next, save the edited version of the photo in JPG or PNG format.

conclusions

This article discusses the key points of working with the application. The program has all the necessary tools. The level of complexity of the work performed depends only on the user's skills.