Guest tutorials » Gimp » Tips and tricks
For some actions shortcuts can be quite handy. Compared to some other programs Gimp has some strange shortcuts. But Gimp is meant to be personalized so there is a very easy way to change the shortcuts in what you prefer.
Go to the Gimp File-Menu and click Preferences.
Click on interface and Configure Keyboard Shortcuts.
Click on the menu's where the action is situated you want to alter the shortcut for. Click on the action and do the shortcut you want.
Shortcuts I use very often:
- Copy: Ctrl C
- Paste: Ctrl V
- Delete Content: Ctrl K (The Delete Button does NOT work to do this!)
- Deselect: Ctrl D (This is not the standard shortcut on Gimp but it is on most programs so I advise to change this)
Brushes
As you can see the size, hardness, radiance and so on of the default brushes can not be altered. This can be annoying since the default brushes don't cover the need in different sizes. Instead of creating a new brush for every size you need there is an easier way...
Click on the Brushes tab in the Brushes Window. (1) Click on the New Brush. The Brush Editor will open (2), you don't have to change any of the preferences just name the brush as above, so it will always be at the top of you brushes list and click the safe button.
From now on I will refer to this brush as your Basic Brush. If you need to erase or draw and you need a custom sized brush, just select your Basic and click on the Brush Editor Window (which really should be on your basic setup as explained earlier) just change the settings of the brush to whatever you want. You don't have to click the safe button, the brush will change instantly. This way you can work with the brush, and change its settings easily.
Drawing Lines
In Gimp there is no such thing as a line tool. There is a way to draw straight lines and polygons though.
1: Select your Basic Brush and alter it's preferences on how you want your line to be. Click on the point you want to be the begin-point of your line or polygon.
2: Hold down the Shift-key while you move your mouse where you want the end-point of the line to be and click the mouse. If you're drawing a line you can loose the Shift-key, if you're drawing a polygon hold it down.
3: Keep moving and clicking with your mouse until your polygon is ready. Then loose the Shift-Key.
4: The result :) A nice star.