Using Paths to Cut Out Objects in GIMP
I was shooping for over two years before I finally learned how to use paths to make selections. Before that, I mainly used the free select tool. There's no wrong way to make selections as long as you end up with decent results, but I find paths to be the fastest and most accurate way.
Step 1: Open the image in GIMP
Step 2: Choose the Paths tools (keyboard shortcut: B)
Step 3: Use the path tool to create a path around the object you want to cut out (
GIMP's official documentation on paths)
- Paths are difficult to explain in words, so don't expect to understand this until you start messing around with the Paths tool. Once you start using it, it doesn't take long to understand how paths are created.
- Paths are created using anchor points and handles. Anchor points are points along the path which the path will touch. Handles are extensions of anchor points which determine the direction and length of curves between two anchor points.
- Single-clicking creates and anchor point with no handles. Two anchor points connected with no handles will create a straight line.
- Clicking and dragging creates an anchor point with handles going in both directions. Adjust the handles to make the path curve along the edges of the object you want to cut out.
- You can also click and drag along the segment between two anchor points to adjust the curve. I never use this method, but it's worth mentioning.
- You can go back to reposition any of the anchor points or adjust any of the curves at any time, but make sure you select the last point you added before you continue adding additional points
- Once you set your final anchor point hold control while clicking on the first point to close the path.
Step 4: Once your path is finished, click on the Paths tab. If it's not docked or you cant find it, in the main menu, go to Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Paths
Step 5: In the Paths tab, right click the path you just created, and click Path To Selection. This will make a selection of the path.
Step 6: Go back to the Layers tab and make sure the layer you want to cut from is selected. Copy and paste the selection to a new layer. Make sure you right click the Floating Selection in the layers tab and click To New Layer. I'm sure there's a reason why GIMP doesn't immediately paste to new layers, but that extra step has cost me a lot of time and extra work forgetting to finalize pasted layers.
Step 7: Hide the original layer (click the eye next to the layer in the Layers tab) to view the cut out.
Step 8: If you need to adjust the cutout, you can go the the Paths tab and double-click your created path to edit it. Once you've made your adjustments, go back to Step 5.
Full process from start to finish: