How to create geometric lines and shapes in GIMP

Updated: 03/06/2020 by Computer Hope
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There are multiple methods for adding geometric elements to your GIMP (GNU image manipulation program) projects. To begin, create a new document, or opening an existing one, then follow these steps.

Using selection tools to create rectangles and ellipses

To create rectangles and ellipses using selection tools, follow the steps below.

  1. Select the Rectangle Select Tool or Ellipse Select Tool from the tools menu.
  2. Enable Expand from center from the tool options menu.
  3. For a perfect circle or square, enable Fixed aspect ratio from the tool options menu, and enter an aspect ratio of 1:1 into the text box.
  4. Move your cursor to the desired center location of your shape.
  5. Drag your cursor to the edge of the shape to create a selection area. When an area is selected, only pixels inside that area may be modified.
  6. If desired, change the position of your selection by clicking inside the shape and dragging it.
  7. Select the Bucket Fill Tool from the tools menu.
  8. Fill the selection with color by clicking inside of it.
  9. To edit anything outside the selection, right-click, and choose Select, then None.

Using the shape of the brush to create shapes

You can also create shapes by changing the brush type and size.

  1. Select the Pencil Tool from the tools menu.
  2. In the Tool options menu, select the Brush icon. (The default icon is a circle.)
  3. Select a brush type that resembles the shape you want, such as block, star, or ellipse.
  4. Set Hardness to 100.
  5. Change the size and aspect ratio to your preferences. For a perfect circle or square, set the aspect ratio to 0.
  6. Move your cursor to the desired location of the shape.
  7. To use the brush to create the shape, left-click once.

Creating straight lines with the brush tool

To draw straight lines, select your desired brush tool and click the starting point of your line. Hold Shift and move your cursor to the endpoint. End the line with a single click. For a line without round edges, select the block brush.

Additional notes and tips

  • You can use the keyboard shortcuts R (Rectangle) and E (Ellipse) to select those tools.
  • The bracket keys can change the brush size. The left bracket ([) decreases the brush size and the right bracket (]) increases the brush size.
  • Creating new layers for each shape makes editing easier if your document gets more complex.