To open an image, go to File > Open… and select your image. To create something new, go to File > New, choose your canvas size and settings, then click OK.
When you start the Paths tool, the Paths panel will appear in the left panel. You’ll see that there are three modes—Design, Edit, and Move. The Paths tool always starts in Design mode.
When you start the Paths tool, the Paths panel will appear in the left panel. You’ll see that there are three modes—Design, Edit, and Move. The Paths tool always starts in Design mode.
When you start the Paths tool, the Paths panel will appear in the left panel. You’ll see that there are three modes—Design, Edit, and Move. The Paths tool always starts in Design mode.
Each point you place will be joined to the next point by a segment, or line. The lines between points can be straight or curved. If you’re selecting an object, your goal is to place points around the entire perimeter of the object to surround it with line segments.
You can drag the curve in any direction you’d like to properly wrap around an object or create a line that curves in the desired direction. The curve will always in the opposite direction that you drag. When you release the mouse button, you’ll have a new point with a yellow directional line indicating the direction of the curve. At each end of the directional line, you’ll see squares—these squares are called handles. You can move each of the handles to precisely shape the curve. [2] X Research source You can also hold down the Shift key as you drag a handle to move the curve symmetrically.
Depending on the shape you’re drawing or the complexity of the object you’re selecting, you may need to create more or fewer points to select the object accurately. You can undo a point you’ve placed by mistake by pressing Ctrl + Z (PC) or Command + Z (Mac). While you’re adding points, you’ll see a small + at the cursor’s top-right corner. This + changes as you do other things with your path, which we’ll get to in a moment.
You can now adjust the selection using the options in the Select menu.
You can now adjust the selection using the options in the Select menu.
Click Stroke Path to open the dialog box. [3] X Research source To use a standard customizable line, select Stroke line, then enter a line width. You can click the Line Style menu to choose other options, including a dashed pattern. To use a paint tool for your line, such as the pencil or paintbrush, select Stroke with a paint tool, then choose your tool. The Stroke Path tool will use the current size and shape of the tool you select, so you might want to close the window and choose your preferences before applying the stroke line. If you check the box next to “Emulate brush dynamics,” the line will have a more realistic look—this is useful if you’re creating a lifelike drawing. [4] X Research source Click Stroke to create your line.
Click Stroke Path to open the dialog box. [3] X Research source To use a standard customizable line, select Stroke line, then enter a line width. You can click the Line Style menu to choose other options, including a dashed pattern. To use a paint tool for your line, such as the pencil or paintbrush, select Stroke with a paint tool, then choose your tool. The Stroke Path tool will use the current size and shape of the tool you select, so you might want to close the window and choose your preferences before applying the stroke line. If you check the box next to “Emulate brush dynamics,” the line will have a more realistic look—this is useful if you’re creating a lifelike drawing. [4] X Research source Click Stroke to create your line.
If you switch to Edit mode, dragging a point will curve the previous segment instead. Both Design and Edit modes allow you to make the most changes to the path, but each of these two modes have different features. The most notable difference is that in Edit mode, you can only work on the existing path—if you want to make changes to multiple paths at once, you should be in Design mode. [5] X Research source
If you switch to Edit mode, dragging a point will curve the previous segment instead. Both Design and Edit modes allow you to make the most changes to the path, but each of these two modes have different features. The most notable difference is that in Edit mode, you can only work on the existing path—if you want to make changes to multiple paths at once, you should be in Design mode. [5] X Research source
If you hold down the Shift key while you do this, you’ll create a symmetrical curve.
Click a point to display its handles. Drag either of the handles in the desired position. Hold down Shift to curve symmetrically. If you want to remove a handle, you can do so by holding down Shift + Ctrl as you click the handle.
In Design mode, select the point, then press Shift + Ctrl as you click the point. In Edit mode, select the point, then press Shift as you click the point.
To move several points at once, hold down the Shift key as you click each point, then click and drag the selection.
To move several points at once, hold down the Shift key as you click each point, then click and drag the selection.
To fill with a color, start by selecting a color—just click the top-left colored square in the left panel above the Paths panel, then choose a color. Next, click File Path in the left panel, select Solid color, then click Fill. To fill with a pattern, click the Patterns tab in the upper-right area of GIMP—it’s the second tab in the right panel. Select a pattern to use, then click the Fill Path button in the left panel. Choose Pattern, then click Fill.
To fill with a color, start by selecting a color—just click the top-left colored square in the left panel above the Paths panel, then choose a color. Next, click File Path in the left panel, select Solid color, then click Fill. To fill with a pattern, click the Patterns tab in the upper-right area of GIMP—it’s the second tab in the right panel. Select a pattern to use, then click the Fill Path button in the left panel. Choose Pattern, then click Fill.
