Computer Graphics

Starting with GIMP

GIMP is a free image manipulation software similar to professional programs such as Adobe Photoshop. The tools might have different names across different image editors but the concepts stay the same. You shouldn't have problems switching from one program to another after completing the labs. Moreover, GIMP runs on all most popular platforms (Windows, Linux and Mac) so go get a version that works for you and start the program!

1. Main window

After the program starts (which takes a little while on the first run, don't be scared) the GIMP is usually divided into separate windows - one for each panel or toolbox. This might be a bit cumbersome for our use. Switch the program to single window mode in the main menu: Main menu > Windows > Single window mode.

The window contains several different panels and now we take a closer look at them.

2. Tools panel

Located in top left by defaul, this panel contains different tools for manipulation the image. There are tools here for selecting desired parts of the image, for drawing, for layer manipulation etc. We will go through different tools during the next tutorials, just be patient. Or don't be patient and go try on your own what each tool does .

3. Foreground / background color

Just below the tool panel is the color selector. There are two active colors: One for foreground and one for background. The foreground color is used in most cases, the background color is either a supplementary color (e.g. when creating a gradient fill - we'll get to that) or works as a convenient place to store a second color and switch quickly between two colors (e.g. when painting masks - we'll get to that too).

Clicking on either the foreground or the background color rectangle brings out a color selection dialog for the respective color.

Clicking on the small arrow next in the FG/BG color panel switches the two colors. Or you can do this by pressing the key X.

4. Tool options

Every tool has a set of options associated with it. E.g. when you select the brush tool, you want to set the width of the paintbrush or its shape. The tool options panel (usually below the Tools panel) contains these options. Since different tools have different options, the contents of this panel change according to what tool is active currently.

5. Layers panel

We'll get to working with layers in the very next tutorial. For the moment, just remember the layers panel is usually in the top-right corner of the window. The same panel is also hosting Channels, Paths and Undo history as switchable tabs next to Layers.

Now you can continue to Tutorial 2