Layers tutorial in the GIMP

Using Layers in the GIMP

Click here to watch layers video tutorial

Layers are a way to easily modify or change your graphic design. They make adding special effects to specific parts of the design very easy to achieve. Also you can delete a layer and not affect the rest of your design.

Ok, let's get on with it, per ususal you can watch the video or follow along below:

Go to File > Dialogs > Choose Layers or just hit CTRL-L. This opens up the Layers Dialog (or window).

Now take a look at your layers dialog in it. Let's go over the features...

The first choice on the bottom row is Create a new layer. This will add a new layer right above the background layer.

The next two are the ability to move that layer up or down. Since their is only one layer, you can't move it. And you can't move the background. So you really need at least three layers to start moving layers.

The 4 th option is duplicate layer. This will essentially copy the current selected layer and create a duplicate right above it.

The 5th option is anchor. This is good for floating selections. Clicking this anchors the floating selection into the layer below it.

The last option is the trash can. You can delete a layer using this.

Notice you also have a mode with layers. I suspect that most often this is when you'll be using the mode blending options, when working with layers.

Opacity becomes an important aspect as well when using layers.

If you notice the little eye, right next to the stickman on the above example, clicking on that turns on and off that layer. It makes it visible or invisible.

Just for example, create a new layer. You'll get this box to pop up...

It remembers the last settings, so for the most all you'll usually need to change is the name. Naming your layers is a good idea as it keeps things organized. Hit OK when ready.

As you can, there is now a new layer. And the beige bar means that's the current selected layer. Anything you draw or create will be added to that layer and will leave the background layer alone. Also anything you move will just happen on the selected layer.

Now that layer is transparent. Meaning the layers below will show you and so will the layers above.

Continue playing with layers, add opacity, play with the blend modes, draw a selection and move things around on the layer.

But remember ALWAYS make sure you have the right layer selected. To select a layer, just click on it, the whole layer in the Layer Dialog will turn blue, then beige. The beige layer is the current active layer.

If I were to draw that stickman normally, I would have created each thing on a seperate layer. The stickman on one layer, the heart on a new layer and the background blank. This way I could add a gradient to the background easily without affecting the other two layers. I could easily move the heart around. I could bring the stickman in front of the heart and so on.

We'll be doing more tutorials over time that will further make use of layers and following those tutorials will help you learn how to make better use of them.

Alright, that's it for the basics. Layers are an extremely important part in graphic design. If you get a chance watch the video tutorial for more info.

In the meantime, the next step is to kick up that sample website a notch or two now that we know how to use the GIMP...