The Gimp

About the class
April, 2005 was the first time MNR offers a class on the Gimp at Free Geek, but it's far from the first time he's taught the subject. The Gimp is the image editing software distributed on FreekBoxes - and used by all kinds of people to make cool pictures. This is an introductory-level class, and should be accessable to anyone who has mastered the material taught in the FreekBox Adoption Class. 

Related Links
From the project's web site, gimp.org:
 * Main page
 * screenshots
 * documentation

Class 1: Starting and Selections
right-click to download today's suggested image
 * Finding and starting the Gimp
 * Navigating the Gimp
 * Opening files, Saving Files
 * Freegeeks - Use Offline storage! Classroom machines are wiped clean every evening.
 * Help! Using context sensitive help
 * Palettes: Tools & Layers, (but not Channels or Paths)
 * Making selections
 * Dealing with Floating Selections
 * Something fun - change the color of the background.
 * 1) use the elliptical select tool to select the earth in today's suggested image
 * 2) float the selection
 * 3) convert the selection to a new layer
 * 4) change the foreground color (click on the black box in the tool palette)
 * 5) add a new layer with a colored background (shift - new layer)
 * 6) move the layers so the colored layer is underneath the earth

Class 2: Color select and Magic wand
Right-click to download today's suggested image
 * Brief review
 * Resizing images, resizing selections
 * Color Select Tool
 * Magic Wand
 * Something fun - Float the rocket or the jellyfish (right click on the link to download)
 * 1) open today's suggested image
 * 2) open the rocket or jellyfish
 * 3) Remove the background of the rocket or jellyfish by clicking on the background with the magic wand or color selection tool. (hint - the rocket is easier)
 * 4) drag the layer (from the rocket or jellyfish layer panel) into the space cloud image

Class 3: Edges, tools, fills, paths
Right click to download today's suggested image
 * Edge Select
 * Move, Rotate, shear, perspective & flip
 * Fill, Gradient, pattern paint
 * Quick mask & save to path. (tutorial on quickmask)
 * path to selection
 * Manipulating Selections
 * Filters

Class 4: animations
Today's image (warning, 4 megabytes) contains XCF files for use with GIMP

Tutorial on Gimp Animation 
 * Animations

Class 5: paths
Right click to download this sample image