How to use Gimp for beginners - Lesson 3 - Layers and Selections

In this tutorial, I explain how to use gimp for beginners. This video explains how layers work, and goes over some basic selection methods that will be built on in later lessons.

This tutorial was made using Gimp 2.6. If you are running a different version some functions and methods, although slight, may be different. I recommend using the newest version of Gimp. For a tutorial on different Gimp installation options, including installing the newest version on a trial basis without making changes to your current installation, check out the tutorial below.

[meemouww]

Hai, I was a newbie at Gimp so I really needed help, but I looked at your vids and you helped me. ALOT. I was completely lost with knowing how to use GIMP and now I know everything!! Thanks bro!

[ozwalled]

Good thinking in using the cheeseburger analogy to demonstrate layers. It took me a while to figure layers out when I was first introduced to them, so having a real-world, tangible, example piece as a concept idea is a great starting point that I wished I would have had.

Good stuff.

[jayceespears]

I love all of these videos! They're so helpful! Well, considering I've had Gimp for about a year now with absolutley no clue what I was doing... ^^" You are very good at explaining this! Going to your website as soon as I watch all the lessons on here! :D

[kaolafson]

I am just getting more pumped as I see more videos-Man I need to know how to draw a picture of an onion so it has all the rings but still is on the same layer so you got me hooked now!!! :), Thanks for all your hard work putting these together....

[lezgetbutchy]

I have watched different videos all day and This one Helped me to learn about the layer. Thank you so Much.. also the select and none is exactly what i needed to know.. also the center point.. you are the bomb !

[GraphicGranny]

Thanks so much for these fab tutorials. I teach Photoshop but have been asked by a student to teach Gimp. Have never used Gimp before but must say, I'm hooked. 
Have spent about 2 hours trying to find tutorials that don't put me to sleep, pull my hair out, or just confuse me totally (which is rather difficult as Gimp is very similar to PS :) )... finally I found you. Phew !! Thanks a mill. ;)

[YouOweMeMoney]

 Awesome tutorials man! I even learned a new trick or two and a better understanding and I've been using gimp for a while!

[PRACERZ]

Well, I knew nothing before your vid, now, at least I can attack the program and play with it and know a little of what I am doing or trying to do. Nicely explained for any beginner, thanks !

[InesKembel]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I now have a better understanding of layers and selections. Looking forward to Lesson 4! :)

[aprilcampbell]

good job. almost everyone can relate to food so its awesome you made this easy to understand and you didn't overwhelm people with to many options. sweet build thanks :)

[TheBlindfalcon]

Thanks a million for the what I needed to get a jump start on GIMP

[jamesohara]

Excellent tutorial, clear simple instruction, I was visualizing cutting and pasting a collage of stacked photographs before but your burger is very ergonomic thanks.

[mcovelloful]

Great video and clear explanation for beginners. Thank you!

[alicebattey]

For me, these options are a checkbox in the toolbox to the left. It took me forever to figure this out too!

[djr]

this was really quick and helpful, thanks

[McAllenRealtor]

Good job! really easy to understand.

[Dragonbahn]

tnx Im trying to learn gimp and this really helps me

[EbonyParry]

I learned so much from this! Thank you so much!

[daymusiclovers]

These tutorials are fantastic, but hard to follow if you dont have the side bars set up. I was hoping to learn how to set those up. I have the bar to the lef, the toolbar, but i dont know how to set up the layers box on your right. It turned the whole creation, i didnt know how to select one layer. Sorry, im real new to gimp, i have 2.8 version. If you have tutorial on setting up gimp for first time users, make docks, lock them etc please let me know. Thank you, your doing an excellent job!!

[russelldad]

Fantastic tutorial! Thank you for posting! My wife wants to know why there's no bacon on the burger. Hopefully that's in a future lesson.