The GIMP Layers: Playing it Simple!

Remember what I said before? What separates a good graphics art program from a bad graphics program is the addition of layers in its functions. The GIMP layers are no exception to this rule at all!

In fact, it has a lot of nice built in functions digital artists like you can use. And because it’s so simple to use, you will pick it up in no time.

So, let’s get started with the learning!

1. Locating the GIMP layers box

There are two main toolboxes that come out when you open out GIMP. The first box contains all the necessary drawing tools along with the manipulation options. The second box contains the other stuff like layers, channels, paths, and the history box.

And just below that, there are a few predefined brushes you can use. However, what we are concerned about are the four tabs at the top.

The symbol with four pieces of paper stacked loosely on top of each other is the layers box. Simple, isn’t it?

Now, we need to figure out options are available!

2. Looking at the options

The options available are very simple. To access them, you need to have a new file by going to file > new in the main GIMP window. Then, you will start with a background layer in which you can paint on.

If you right click on any of the layers in that box, you can have additional options to create a new layer, merge, delete layers, etc.

Furthermore, some of these options are duplicated below. These allow you to create a new layer, move a layer up or down, duplicate the layer, anchoring floating selections to other layers, and deletion of layers respectively.

Of course, you still get your opacity bar and the preserve transparency option to lock the layers. Again, the advantage of that is to paint within the shapes of a layer so you don’t go out of its boundaries.

3. The layer modes of painting

Some of them you can recognize right off the bat while you may need to experiment with others to figure out exactly what it is.

Regardless of what you need to do to understand the modes of painting, you probably still be using a handful of them when you begin to digitally paint. This is why you shouldn’t spend too much on learning each of them.

As a matter of fact, you will stumble upon what each mode is intended to do depending on what affects you need to get done in your digital painting. Anyway, these layer modes of painting include:

Again, don’t worry about them too much and only use them when the time comes.

4. Limitations of the GIMP layers

As stated before, the GIMP layers are very simple to use. All the options I have mentioned before is what is currently available. There are no extra features worth noting.

Unlike Photoshop, it doesn’t have layer styles for you to choose from. Unlike Paint Shop Pro, it doesn’t differentiate between vector and raster type images. And unlike Painter, it doesn’t allow you to specifically organize the layers within different layers.

That’s just how simple it is and it’s not a bad thing at all!

One thing you need to know about GIMP is its community group. Since it’s an open source program, you can probably find add-ons that can enhance GIMP into the digital art program that you want it to be.

This means that the program itself is very competent already. But if you want to expand on what’s already there, third party open source support is readily available.

For now, just play around with the program. Make notes as to what you need and do some research to see if it’s available. Chances are it is available!

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