GIMP Books

Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional explains how to use the open source image manipulation program, GIMP version 2.4. You’ll learn how to install GIMP on Windows, Linux, and MacOS X platforms. Once you’ve installed the application, you’ll learn about the interface and configuration options, and then jump into a quick–and–simple project to familiarize yourself even further.

With four–color graphics and screenshots throughout, you’ll learn how to prepare camera images for display on web pagesincluding functions like rescaling, cropping, and balancing color. The book also explains with great detail how to utilize layers, paths, and masks. You’ll also learn how to draw lines and shapes, use patterns and gradients, and even create your own brushes, patterns, and gradients.

Touch–ups are covered thoroughly: how to smudge away blemishes, fix red–eye, and stitch panoramic images. You’ll even learn how to tap into the powerful filters, effects, and plug–ins that are available and automate tasks using scripts. The entire book is laid out in a project–based manner, so as you progress through it, numerous projects help solidify your newly acquired abilities.

The Artist's Guide to GIMP Effects shows you how to harness the GIMP's powerful features to produce professional-looking advertisements, impressive photographic effects, as well as logos and text effects. And author Michael J. Hammel, who has used the GIMP since its first public release, won't mince words or waste your time. His extensively illustrated, step-by-step tutorials are perfect for hands-on learning and experimentation. After a crash course in using the GIMP's interface and core tools (such as brushes, patterns, selections, layers, modes, and masks), you'll learn:

This book has evolved from the classroom materials the author developed and used in courses and workshops on Image Editing with the GIMP. It covers the basics of image editing and guides the reader through the functions and tools of GIMP from simple adjustments to more advanced techniques with layers and masks. The more important editing functions are presented in individual workshops. Moreover, the book covers the stitching of panoramic images and preparation of high-quality black and white images.

College soccer star Mark Zupan had been out drinking one night and had passed out in the back of his best friend's pickup truck when his friend got in the driver's seat, decided to take the truck for a spin, and accidentally crashed it. Thrown into a canal and stuck in frigid water for fourteen hours, Mark was finally rescued and learned soon after that he'd broken his neck. He'd most likely be a quadriplegic and spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, doctors told him. At first Mark's only goal was to walk again. When that proved impossible, he fell into the depths of anger and despair, retreating from the world and the people closest to him. But love, friendship, and a new sport, quad rugby (a.k.a. "murderball"), helped Mark create a new existence that's truly exceptional.

Gimp, the no-holds-barred memoir of a Paralympic athlete and the star of the Academy Award–nominated documentary Murderball, is an inspiring, defiant, and revealing celebration of spirit and will that confounds readers' prejudices by offering proof that a guy in a chair can still do amazing things: have sex with his girlfriend, party with his friends . . . even crowd-surf at Pearl Jam shows.

From first installation to advanced image manipulation techniques, Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional, Second Edition explains how anyone can utilize The GIMP: a free, open source image manipulation program. You will learn how to install The GIMP on Windows, Linux, and MacOS X platforms. Once you’ve installed the application, you’ll learn about the interface and configuration options, and then jump into a quick and simple project to familiarize yourself.

You’ll learn how to prepare camera images for display on web pages—including processes like rescaling, cropping, and balancing color. Utilizing layers, paths, and masks are also covered in extensive detail. Of course, you will also learn how to draw lines and shapes; utilize patterns and gradients; and even create your own brushes, patterns, and gradients.

GIMP expert and author Akkana Peck teaches you how to touch up digital photographs, smudging away blemishes, fixing red–eye, and stitching panoramic images. You’ll learn how to tap into the powerful filters, effects, and plug–ins that are available for The GIMP and automate tasks using scripts. The entire book is approached in a project–based manner, and as you progress, numerous projects will help strengthen your newly acquired abilities.

What you’ll learn

• Install The GIMP on Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX.
• Explore the interface and configuration options.
• Prepare your camera images for use on the Web, including rescaling, cropping, and balancing color.
• Learn basic techniques such as drawing lines and shapes, utilizing patterns, and making use of gradients.
• Master advanced techniques such as layers, paths, and masks.
• Create your own brushes, patterns, and gradients.
• Discover tricks for fixing blemishes, removing redeye, and stitching together panoramic images.

Who is this book for?

This book is for graphics designers, digital photographers, and hobbyists. It’s is aimed at those who need to utilize a full–featured image manipulation program but don’t have hundreds of dollars to pay for Photoshop. The GIMP is also the preferred image manipulation application for the open source advocate. The GIMP is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX.

About the Apress Beginning Series

The Beginning series from Apress is the right choice to get the information you need to land that crucial entry–level job. These books will teach you a standard and important technology from the ground up because they are explicitly designed to take you from “novice to professional.” You’ll start your journey by seeing what you need to know—but without needless theory and filler. You’ll build your skill set by learning how to put together real–world projects step by step. So whether your goal is your next career challenge or a new learning opportunity, the Beginning series from Apress will take you there—it is your trusted guide through unfamiliar territory!