book

GIMP Bible

Name: GIMP Bible
ISBN: 9780470523971

by Jason van Gumster, Robert Shimonski

March 2010

Beginner

761 pages

19h 50m

English

Wiley

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Copyright
About the Authors
About the Technical Editor
Credits
Acknowledgments
Introduction
What to ExpectWho This Book Is ForWhat This Book ContainsConventions Used in This BookTerminologyCommands, Options, and MenusUsing GIMP on Multiple PlatformsVersions and Actively Developed SoftwareFeatures Used in This bookContact Information
I. Meet GIMP
1. What Is GIMP?
1.1. Knowing What GIMP Can and Cannot Do1.2. Working with GIMP's Interface1.2.1. Windows and Menus1.2.2. Docks and Dialogs1.2.3. Images and Canvases1.2.3.1. Parts of the Image Window1.2.3.2. The Concept of a "Canvas"1.3. Setting Preferences1.3.1.1.3.1.1. The Module Manager1.3.1.2. GIMP Preferences1.3.1.2.1. Environment1.3.1.2.2. Interface1.3.1.2.3. Theme1.3.1.2.4. Help System1.3.1.2.5. Tool Options1.3.1.2.6. Toolbox1.3.1.2.7. Default Image1.3.1.2.8. Default Grid1.3.1.2.9. Image Windows1.3.1.2.10. Display1.3.1.2.11. Color Management1.3.1.2.12. Input Devices1.3.1.2.13. Window Management1.3.1.2.14. Folders1.4. Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts1.5. Summary
2. Thinking Digitally
2.1. Digital Images vs. Traditional Photographs2.2. Raster Graphics vs. Vector Graphics2.2.1. Raster Images2.2.2. Vector Images2.3. Resolution and Image Size2.3.1. Changing Image Size and Resolution2.3.2. Confusing Terminology2.4. Color Depth2.5. Color Spaces and Color Modes2.5.1. Color Spaces2.5.2. Color Modes2.6. Compression2.6.1. Lossless Compression2.6.2. Lossy Compression2.7. Summary
II. Getting Started

3. Working with Files
3.1. Opening Files3.1.1. Opening Images3.1.1.1. File Open3.1.1.2. Other Ways to Open an Image3.1.2. Creating a Blank New Image3.1.3. Generating an Image from Plug-in or Hardware3.1.3.1. Creating an Image from a Screenshot3.1.3.2. Creating an Image from a CMYK TIFF3.1.3.3. Using a Scanner to Import a Drawing or Photograph3.1.3.3.1. Scanning in Windows and Mac3.1.3.3.2. Scanning in Linux with Xsane3.1.3.4. Letting GIMP's Automated Scripts Generate an Image3.1.4. Managing Open Images3.2. Working in the Image Window3.3. Copying and Pasting3.3.1. Fun Things You Can Do with Paste (Besides Eat It)3.3.2. Advanced Copy and Paste with Buffers3.4. Taking Advantage of Undo3.5. Saving Files3.5.1. GIMP's Native Format: XCF3.5.2. Other Formats3.6. Summary
4. A Brief Overview of GIMP's Tools
4.1. The View Menu4.1.1. Modifying Your View in the Image Window4.1.2. Using Display Filters to Color Correct GIMP to Your Monitor4.1.3. Showing and Hiding Information4.1.4. Snapping Controls4.1.5. Padding Color4.1.6. Showing and Hiding Parts of the Image Window4.2. Selection Tools4.2.1. Rectangle Select4.2.2. Ellipse Select4.2.3. Free (Lasso) Select4.2.4. Fuzzy Select4.2.5. Select by Color4.2.6. Intelligent Scissors Select4.2.7. Foreground Select4.3. Image Tools4.3.1. Informational Tools4.3.1.1. Color Picker4.3.1.2. Zoom4.3.1.3. Measure4.3.2. Transform Tools4.4. Paint Tools4.5. Color Tools4.6. Summary
5. Taking Advantage of Paths
5.1. The Advantages of Paths: Get Some Vector in Your Raster5.2. Creating Paths5.2.1. Drawing with the Path tool5.2.2. Creating a Path from a Selection5.3. Managing Paths5.3.1. The Paths Dialog5.3.2. Importing and Exporting Paths5.3.2.1. Importing Paths5.3.2.2. Exporting Paths5.4. Using Paths5.4.1. Painting along a Path5.4.1.1. Stroke Line5.4.1.2. Stroke with a Paint Tool5.4.1.3. Practical Example: Faking an Ink Drawing5.4.2. Selecting with a Path5.5. Summary
6. Working with Layers and Masks
6.1. Managing Layers6.1.1. A Quick Overview of the Layers Dialog6.1.2. Adding, Duplicating, and Removing Layers6.1.2.1. Creating a New Layer6.1.2.2. Duplicating an Existing Layer6.1.2.3. Deleting Layers6.1.3. Arranging Layers in the Stack6.1.4. Grouping and Merging Layers6.1.4.1. Merging Layers6.1.4.2. Grouping Layers6.2. Manipulating Layers6.2.1. Resizing Layers6.2.1.1. Modifying the Layer Boundary Size6.2.1.2. Scaling Layers6.2.1.3. Offsetting the Content of a Layer6.2.2. Aligning Layers6.2.3. Working with Layer Transparency6.2.3.1. Additional Layer Transparency Features6.2.3.2. Using Layer Transparency for Selections6.3. Blending Modes6.4. Using Layer Masks6.4.1. Defining Layer Masks6.4.2. Modifying Layer Masks6.4.3. Effectively Using Features in the Select Menu6.5. Summary
7. Using Channels
7.1. Understanding Channels7.1.1. Red, Green, and Blue: The Default Color Channels7.1.2. A Fistful of Awesome: The Alpha Channel7.2. Using Channels7.2.1. Creating Channels7.2.2. Taking Advantage of Channels Once They're Created7.2.3. Practical Application: Changing the Background7.3. Summary
III. Manipulating Images
8. Transforming Images
8.1. Adjustments Available in the Image and Layer Menus8.1.1. Sizing8.1.1.1. Fit Canvas to Layers8.1.1.2. Layer to Image Size8.1.2. Cropping and Guillotine8.1.2.1. Crop to Selection8.1.2.2. Autocrop8.1.2.3. Zealous Crop8.1.2.4. Guillotine8.1.3. Flipping and Rotating8.1.3.1. Flipping8.1.3.2. Rotating8.1.4. Liquid Rescale: Quite Possibly the Coolest Thing Ever8.1.4.1. Using Liquid Rescale8.1.4.2. Output Options8.1.4.3. Advanced Options8.1.4.4. Interactive Mode8.1.4.5. Advanced Techniques: Smart Zoom8.2. Using the Image Tools8.2.1. Alignment Tool8.2.2. Crop Tool8.2.3. Transformation Tool8.2.3.1. Moving8.2.3.2. Rotating8.2.3.3. Scaling8.2.3.4. Shearing8.2.3.5. Changing Perspective8.2.4. Flip Tool8.3. Summary
9. Adjusting Colors
9.1. Using the Color Menu9.1.1. Working with the Color Tools9.1.1.1. Features Available for All Color Tools9.1.1.2. Color Balance9.1.1.3. Hue-Saturation9.1.1.4. Colorize9.1.1.5. Brightness-Contrast9.1.1.6. Threshold9.1.1.7. Levels9.1.1.7.1. Input Levels9.1.1.7.2. Output Levels9.1.1.7.3. All Channels9.1.1.8. Curves9.1.1.9. Posterize9.1.1.10. Desaturate9.1.2. Inverting Values9.1.3. Using Automated Adjustments9.1.3.1. Equalize9.1.3.2. White Balance9.1.3.3. Color Enhance9.1.3.4. Normalize9.1.3.5. Stretch Contrast9.1.3.6. Stretch HSV9.1.4. Working with Separated Color Components9.1.4.1. Channel Mixer9.1.4.2. Composing, Decomposing, and Recomposing9.1.4.2.1. Decompose9.1.4.2.2. Compose and Recompose9.1.5. Remapping Colors9.1.5.1. Rearranging and Defining a Color Map9.1.5.2. Alien Map9.1.5.3. Color Exchange9.1.5.4. Gradient Map9.1.5.5. Palette Map9.1.5.6. Rotate Colors9.1.5.6.1. Main Options9.1.5.6.2. Gray Options9.1.5.7. Sample Colorize9.1.6. Analyzing Your Colors with Info Tools9.1.6.1. Histogram9.1.6.2. Border Average9.1.6.3. Colorcube Analysis9.1.6.4. Smooth Palette9.1.7. Color Filter Plug-ins9.1.7.1. Color to Alpha9.1.7.2. Colorify9.1.7.3. Filter Pack9.1.7.4. Hot9.1.7.5. Maximum RGB9.1.7.6. Retinex9.2. Exporting Color Separations with the Separate+ Plug-in9.3. Summary
10. Working with Text
10.1. Uses for Text in Images10.2. Adding and Editing Text10.2.1. Customizing Text from the Text Panel10.2.1.1. Font and Size10.2.1.2. Font Edging10.2.1.3. Changing Text Color10.2.1.4. Justification, Indentation, and Spacing10.2.2. Making Text Go Along a Path10.2.3. Using Text to Create a Path10.3. Working with Text Layers10.4. Summary
11. Painting in GIMP
11.1. Working with Brushes11.1.1. Adjusting Brushes11.1.1.1. Using Tool Options to Adjust Brushes11.1.1.2. Quickly Adjusting Brush Settings from the Image Window11.1.2. Creating New Brushes11.1.2.1. Using the Brush Editor to Create Procedural Brushes11.1.2.2. Creating Animated and Bitmap Brushes11.1.2.2.1. Creating a Bitmap Brush11.1.2.2.2. Creating an Animated Brush11.1.3. Paint Dynamics and Using Brushes with a Drawing Tablet11.1.4. GIMP Paint Studio — A Painter-Friendly Batch of Presets11.2. Drawing Calligraphic Lines with the Ink Tool11.3. Working with Gradients11.4. Creating Pattern Fills11.5. Summary
12. Enhancing Photos
12.1. Traditional Photographer Tools12.1.1. Blur/Sharpen12.1.2. Smudge12.1.3. Dodge/Burn12.2. Using Cloning and Healing to Fix Problem Areas12.2.1. Clone Tool12.2.2. Perspective Clone Tool12.2.3. Healing Tool12.3. Using the Exposure Blend Plug-in12.4. Summary
IV. Exploring Filters and Effects
13. Implementing Blur, Enhancement, and Distortion Filters
13.1. Common Features among Filters13.2. Using the Blur Filters13.2.1. Blur13.2.2. Gaussian Blur13.2.3. Motion Blur13.2.4. Pixelize13.2.5. Selective Gaussian Blur13.2.6. Tileable Blur13.3. Enhance Filters13.3.1. Antialias13.3.2. Deinterlace13.3.3. Despeckle13.3.4. Destripe13.3.5. NL Filter13.3.6. Red Eye Removal13.3.7. Sharpen13.3.8. Unsharp Mask13.4. Distortion Filters13.4.1. Blinds13.4.2. Curve Bend13.4.3. Emboss13.4.4. Engrave13.4.5. Erase Every Other Row13.4.6. IWarp13.4.7. Lens Distortion13.4.8. Mosaic13.4.9. Newsprint13.4.10. Pagecurl13.4.11. Polar Coordinates13.4.12. Ripple13.4.13. Shift13.4.14. Value Propagate13.4.15. Video13.4.16. Waves13.4.17. Whirl and Pinch13.4.18. Wind13.5. Summary
14. Using Image Creation Filters
14.1. Light and Shadow Filters14.1.1. Gradient Flare14.1.2. Lens Flare14.1.3. Lighting Effects14.1.4. Sparkle14.1.5. Supernova14.1.6. Drop Shadow14.1.7. Perspective14.1.8. Xach-Effect14.1.9. Lens Effect14.1.10. Glass Tile14.2. Noise Filters14.2.1. Scatter HSV14.2.2. Hurl14.2.3. Random Pick14.2.4. RGB Noise14.2.5. Slur14.2.6. Spread14.3. Render Filters14.3.1. Clouds14.3.1.1. Difference Clouds14.3.1.2. Plasma14.3.1.3. Solid Noise14.3.2. Nature14.3.2.1. Flame14.3.2.2. IFS Fractal14.3.3. Pattern14.3.3.1. CML Explorer14.3.3.2. Checkerboard14.3.3.3. Diffraction Patterns14.3.3.4. Grid14.3.3.5. Jigsaw14.3.3.6. Maze14.3.3.7. Qbist14.3.3.8. Sinus14.3.4. Circuit14.3.5. Fractal Explorer14.3.6. Gfig14.3.7. Lava14.3.8. Line Nova14.3.9. Sphere Designer14.3.10. Spyrogimp14.4. Summary
15. Using Compositing Filters
15.1. Working with Edge-Detect Filters15.1.1. The Difference of Gaussians Option15.1.2. Edge15.1.3. Laplace15.1.4. Neon15.1.5. Sobel15.2. Using the Filters in the Generic Menu15.2.1. Convolution Matrix15.2.2. Dilate and Erode15.3. Using the Combine Filters15.3.1. Depth Merge15.3.2. Filmstrip15.3.2.1. Selection15.3.2.2. Advanced15.4. Taking Advantage of Mapping Filters15.4.1. Bump Map15.4.2. Displace15.4.3. Fractal Trace15.4.4. Illusion15.4.5. Make Seamless15.4.6. The Map Object Filter15.4.6.1. Options15.4.6.2. Light and Material15.4.6.3. Orientation15.4.6.4. Extra Tabs: Box and Cylinder15.4.7. Paper Tile15.4.8. Small Tiles15.4.9. Tile15.4.10. Warp15.4.10.1. Basic Options15.4.10.2. Advanced Options15.4.10.3. More Advanced Options15.4.10.4. Using Warp to Map a Logo to a Photo of Rumpled Cloth15.5. Summary
16. Enhancing Images with Artistic Filters
16.1. Artistic Filters16.1.1. Apply Canvas16.1.2. Cartoon16.1.3. Cubism16.1.4. GIMP ressionist16.1.5. Oilify16.1.6. Photocopy16.1.7. Predator16.1.8. Softglow16.1.9. Van Gogh (LIC)16.2. Decor Filters16.2.1. Add Bevel16.2.2. Add Border16.2.3. Coffee Stain16.2.4. Fuzzy Border16.2.5. Old Photo16.2.6. Round Corners16.2.7. Slide16.2.8. Stencil Carve16.2.9. Stencil Chrome16.3. Summary
17. Working with Specialized Filters
17.1. Web Filters17.1.1. Image Map17.1.2. Semi-Flatten17.1.3. Image Slice17.2. Animation Filters17.2.1. Blend17.2.2. Rippling17.2.3. Spinning Globe17.2.4. Waves17.2.5. Optimizing Filters17.3. Alpha to Logo17.3.1. 3D Outline17.4. Summary
18. Batch Processing with Automating Filters
18.1. Batch Processing Multiple Files18.1.1. Using the Batch Process Plug-in18.1.1.1. Using the Input Tab to Select Images18.1.1.2. Using the Turn Tab18.1.1.3. Using the Blur Tab18.1.1.4. Using the Colour Tab18.1.1.5. Using the Resize Tab18.1.1.6. Using the Crop Tab18.1.1.7. Using the Sharpen Tab18.1.1.8. Using the Rename Tab18.1.1.9. Using the Output Tab18.1.2. Using the Contact Sheet Plug-in18.2. Automating Tasks with GAP's Filtermacro18.2.1. The Filtermacro Window18.2.2. Adding Operations18.3. Filter All Layers18.3.1. Using Filter All Layers18.3.1.1. Apply Constant18.3.1.2. Apply Varying18.3.2. A Quick Shortcut: Selection to AnimImage18.4. Summary
19. Using GIMP Animation Package
19.1. Using Still Image Sequences and Layers for Animation19.1.1. Creating a Simple GIF Animation with Layers19.1.2. Images to Layers and Layers to Images19.1.2.1. Splitting a Layer Image into an Image Sequence19.1.2.2. Converting an Image Sequence into a Single Layered Image19.1.3. Managing the Frames of Your Image Sequence with GAP19.1.3.1. The Easy Way: GAP's Video Navigator19.1.3.2. Additional Frame Management Functions in the Video Menu19.2. Convenience Features to Improve Workflow19.2.1. Working with the Move Path Feature19.2.2. Morphing19.2.3. Onionskinning19.3. Creating a Storyboard19.4. Summary
20. Working with Video-Specific Functions in GIMP
20.1. Playing Back Video20.1.1. Video Options20.1.2. Audio Options20.1.3. Preferences20.2. Encoding Video20.2.1. Setting Video Options20.2.1.1. Setting FFMPEG Parameters20.2.1.2. Setting AVI1 parameters20.2.2. Setting Audio Options20.2.3. Configuring the Audio Tool20.2.4. Using the Extras Tab20.2.5. The Encoding Tab20.3. Extracting Frames from a Video File20.3.1. Using Extract Videorange20.3.1.1. Setting Input Options20.3.1.2. Setting Output Options20.3.2. Using MPlayer-Based Extraction20.4. Summary
V. Advanced Topics
21. Finding and Installing Plug-ins
21.1. The GIMP Plugin Registry21.2. Installing Plug-ins21.2.1. Installing Scripts21.2.2. Installing Compiled Plug-Ins21.3. A Few Plug-ins Worth Mentioning21.3.1. Exposure Blend21.3.2. GIMP-GAP21.3.2.1. Installing GAP on Linux21.3.2.2. Installing GAP on Mac OS X21.3.2.3. Installing GAP on Windows21.3.3. GIMPshop and GimPhoto/GimPad21.3.3.1. GIMPshop21.3.3.2. GimPhoto/GimPad21.3.4. GREYCstoration and G'MIC21.3.5. Layer Effects21.3.6. Liquid Rescale21.3.6.1. Installing Liquid Rescale on Linux21.3.6.2. Installing Liquid Rescale on Mac OS X21.3.6.3. Installing Liquid Rescale on Windows21.3.7. Separate+21.3.7.1. Installing Separate+ on Linux21.3.7.2. Installing Separate+ on Mac OS X21.3.7.3. Installing Separate+ on Windows21.4. Summary
22. Creating Custom Effects with Scripting
22.1. Multi-Lingual GIMP: Scripting Languages GIMP Understands22.1.1. Scheme and Python — GIMP's Primary Scripting Languages22.1.2. Other Scripting Languages Supported by GIMP22.1.3. Taking Advantage of the Procedure Browser22.2. Using the Scripting Console22.3. Writing a Custom Script for GIMP22.3.1. Building a Structure for Your Script22.3.2. Writing the Meat of Your Script22.4. Summary
VI. Appendices
A. Downloading and Installing GIMP
A.1. Installing GIMP on LinuxA.1.1. Debian/UbuntuA.1.2. FedoraA.1.3. OpenSUSEA.1.4. GentooA.1.5. MandrivaA.2. Installing GIMP on WindowsA.2.1. Regular Installation on WindowsA.2.2. Installing GIMP PortableA.3. Installing GIMP on Apple MacintoshA.3.1. Installing GIMP on OS XA.3.2. Installing GIMP from MacPorts
B. Setting Up External Input Devices
B.1. Acquiring Images with a ScannerB.1.1. LinuxB.1.2. Mac OS X and WindowsB.2. Printing ImagesB.2.1. Using the Bundled GTKB.2.2. Printing with GutenprintB.2.2.1. Installing GutenprintB.2.2.1.1. Installing on LinuxB.2.2.1.2. Installing on Mac OS XB.2.2.1.3. Installing on WindowsB.2.2.2. Using GutenprintB.3. Configuring a Drawing Tablet
C. Customizing GIMP
C.1. Changing the Splash ImageC.2. Using a Different ThemeC.2.1. LinuxC.2.2. WindowsC.2.3. Mac OS XC.2.3.1. Fixing the "Yellow Cursor" BugC.2.3.2. Changing Your GTK+ Theme
D. Additional Resources
D.1. On the WebD.2. Internet Relay Chat
E. What's on the Web Site
E.1. How the Site Is OrganizedE.2. Getting the Most out of the Site

Content preview from GIMP Bible

Chapter 5. Taking Advantage of Paths

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding what paths are good for
Using paths to good advantage
Removing paths from your file

GIMP's primary purpose is to be an awesome raster graphics editor. It serves this purpose and does it quite well. However, even in raster editing, in some circumstances having the ability to use vector tools is a definite advantage. This is where GIMP's paths come in. They provide you with the vector advantages you need without making GIMP a full-on vector illustration program.

Paths are curves, specifically Bézier curves like the ones commonly found in vector drawing programs such as Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator. They're a very powerful way to define reusable forms that you can employ for selection, creating solid shapes, or making line drawings. You can also use them as a control structure for text, defining a form for the text to flow along.

This chapter builds on the brief section in Chapter 4 on the Paths tool. You will not only discover how the vector nature of paths can be an advantage to you while editing, but also how to get the most out of them in the process. By the time you're done, you'll be creating, editing, and deleting paths with the best of them.

The Advantages of Paths: Get Some Vector in Your Raster

So where exactly is it useful to have vector drawing tools in a raster graphics package like GIMP? Well, vectors give you two primary benefits:

Resolution-independence — Vector graphics are not bound to any particular image ...

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GIMP Bible

by Jason van Gumster, Robert Shimonski

Chapter 5. Taking Advantage of Paths

The Advantages of Paths: Get Some Vector in Your Raster

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