How to Cut an Outline in Gimp
Gimp, an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free graphics software program available for download. You can cut an outline from any image in Gimp by using the Free Selection tool in the Gimp toolbox. The trick to this process is creating an alpha channel before cutting the outline, which adds a transparency level to the image. Without this, your outline will leave a white spot instead of a transparent hole. If you want the outline to be in an elliptical or rectangular shape, you'll want to use the Ellipse or Rectangle selection tools rather than the Free Selection tool.
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Instructions
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1
Create a new project in Gimp, or open a previously saved document or image.
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2
Click the "Layer" menu. Click "Transparency," then "Add Alpha Channel."
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3
Change the Zoom setting at the bottom of the window to zoom into the area you want to cut. Click the text field, type a number and press "Enter." The window will zoom in by that number as a percentage.
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4
Click to select the Rectangle Select tool or the Ellipse Select tool from the Toolbox, if possible, to cut an evenly shaped outline. Drag the tool over the area you want to cut to create an outline, then skip to Step 6.
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Click to select the Free Select tool from the Toolbox. Place the tool at any point where you want to begin the outline. Hold down the mouse button and drag the tool around the outline. Close the outline by ending at the same point where you began before releasing the mouse button.
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6
Press "Ctrl-X" on the keyboard to cut the outline from the image. The area within the outline is saved in your computer clipboard. You can paste it into another image or document by pressing "Ctrl-V."
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Tips & Warnings
GNU is also an acronym. It stands for GNU Not Unix, which is a joke that amuses many software developers.
