how to draw straight lines in gimp

How To Draw Directly Lines in GIMP

If you're just finding out or already discovered that GIMP doesn't accept Shape or Line Tools, you're in the right place.

Previously, I showed you lot how to create dozens of shapes, and how to download 27 premade, hi-res shapes for your graphic pattern projects.

Today, I'chiliad going to show you how to draw a straight line with GIMP, create curved, dotted + dashed lines, and more than!

If yous're prepare… allow'southward do information technology!

Table of Contents

Quick Start Guide For Creating a Straight Line With GIMP

Note: images, with lines, are zoomed in at 550%!

• Catch a painting device similar the Paintbrush or Pencil
• Ready the Tool Options for the drawing device to have a hard border. Unless you lot want the border feathered. Too, don't forget to set the brush size.
• Agree down your Shift key and click once (on your canvas) to create the outset of your line. Proceed holding down the Shift key.
• Now, move your mouse to another position where you'd like the line to terminate. Equally y'all exercise, you'll see a straight "guide" line appear as yous move the mouse. This gives you a visual cue of the angle of the line.
• Side by side, click again to create the endpoint. A line will be drawn betwixt the two places you clicked with your mouse push.

In summary: Shift key + concur, click, motility, and click again. Easy-Peasy.

Pace-past-Stride Instructions for Drawing Lines In GIMP

In the QuickStart tutorial (to a higher place), you learned how to quickly create a line. Let'due south swoop into creating a line with a little more particular and a new trick or two. In GIMP, yous tin can create lines with a variety of paint options. Such equally…

• The Paintbrush (P)
• Pencil (N)
• Airbrush (A)
• Calligraphy Tool or Ink Tool (K)
• Dodge and Burn (Shift central + D)
• Smudge (S)

I'll offset demonstrate how to create them via my drawing tool of choice, the Paintbrush. Then, I'll show yous how to create lines that are more practical with the Paths Tool.

Paintbrush Tool​

Click the above or below prototype to enlarge.

There might exist times when y'all're creating an illustration or other types of paintings that require the creation or employ of a straight line (at an bending). Whatsoever ane of the paint tools mentioned above can be used with the following tactic.

With the Paintbrush tool selected (P), concord down the Shift fundamental again, and click once on your canvas to create the starting indicate.

Next, release the Shift fundamental and and so hold information technology down again earlier clicking anywhere on your canvas. After clicking once again it volition join the two points where you clicked.

This method is different from the steps provided in the QuickStart department. If yous need a perfect horizontal or vertical line, then the first method works best in that regard. If not, then use this method.

In that location's an added do good to this choice likewise. Go back to your canvas and click anywhere on information technology.What happened? A new line was created in the new location you lot clicked, and it's joined with the previous endpoint!

This is a great way to create custom shapes in GIMP. Oh, and check out this guide on more details nigh creating shapes with GIMP.

Paths Tool

The Paths Tool tin also create or draw a line even though it's non strictly a painting tool. Instead of painting, you'll create a path and so stroke that path with paint.

I like using this cartoon tool to create a line because it gives me more precision when drawing them. Yous can style the line too with dots, dashes, straight edge endpoints, and more! Hither's how to employ the Paths tool…

• Grab the Paths Tool (B) and click once on your sheet to create the showtime ballast point.
• Move abroad from that anchor and click again to create a second control bespeak.
• In the Tool Options, click on the "Stroke Path" push.
• At present, in the Stroke Path window, set "Antialiasing" to on (checkmark) and gear up the "Line width:" according to what you demand.
• To finish creating your line, hitting the "Stroke" button.

How To Create a Dotted Line In GIMP

Creating a dotted or dashed line with GIMP is easy with the Paths Tool. In the Stroke Path Dialog window, you can accommodate the line's style via the "Line Style" option. It'due south located just below the Line Width setting. Click on "Line Style" to aggrandize the styling options.

• Capt Style: this selection sets how the endpoint of your line looks - Butt, Round, or Square.
• Join Style: if you're creating multiple lines at different angles, this volition style how they are joined - Miter, Round, or Bevel.
• Miter Limit: this choice will convert a mitered bring together to a beveled join if the miter extends to a distance of more than the miter-limit line-width from the actual join point.
• Dash Pattern: this allows you to create a custom dash pattern.
• Dash Preset: this will provide you lot with numerous premade nuance and dot patterns to choose from.

Permit'due south non overlook the "Stroke with a paint tool" option. From here, you lot can choose a paint device of your choice. You can make some creative line furnishings with whatever one of these options.

My drawing tool of choice is the Paintbrush. I'll so select a custom brush vs. a circular one. Don't forget to turn on "Emulate castor dynamics" for replicating the custom Paintbrushes congenital in features.

How To Create a Curved Line With GIMP

A straight line is absurd. But a curved line is more fun!

Creating a curved line with GIMP is accomplished with the Paths Tool. Making a curved line involves adding two ballast points as before. This time, though, click and elevate your mouse while holding down the mouse push for the 2d endpoint. Every bit yous practice, the path volition begin to bend!

After releasing your mouse button, y'all'll be left with two handles. One tin exist used for rebending the curve if needed. The other handle works as a guide to create a straight line (if you desire). Once your curve is perfected, stroke it as you lot did earlier.

Now What?

Has your journey with GIMP merely begun? Or have you been using it for a while?

Either way, if y'all'd like to improve your GIMP skills, check out my complimentary tutorials.

Or if you're looking for a more structured environment with private virtual classrooms, forums and have your questions answered (past me) then, check out my premium tutorials.

Like this article? If so, please share!

Source: https://parkerphotographic.com/how-to-draw-straight-lines-in-gimp/

Posted by: solomonstrel1937.blogspot.com

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