How to Crop an Oval in GIMP

Emulate an oval frame using GIMP.

The GNU image-manipulation program GIMP allows users to draw and edit images using Path-based tools. Like most image-editing programs, GIMP offers a variety of selection tools, including a Lasso, Magic Wand, Square and Circle tool. The Circle tool allows you to select any oval-sized portion of the image. To turn an image into an oval, you remove the area around the oval. If you want to turn the image into an oval-shaped frame, remove the area inside the oval.

Instructions

1. Double-click the "GIMP" desktop icon to launch the program.

2. Press and hold "Ctrl" and "O" to open an image. Locate the file you wish to crop, highlight it and press "OK."

3. Click the "Circle Selection" tool. Drag an oval over the portion of the image you wish to crop.

4. Open the "Edit" menu and click "Copy." If you wish to crop the image so that it features a colored border and a white oval, click "Cut."

5. Crop the photograph into an oval shape, with a white background, if desired. Press and hold "Ctrl" and "A" and then tap "Delete." This clears the image, leaving a white canvas.

6. Right-click within GIMP and click "Paste." This adds the oval-shaped photograph to the white canvas. Click on the "Move" tool, and drag the oval into the desired area of the canvas. For example, drag the area into the center of the canvas. This centers the oval photograph, inside the white frame of the canvas.

7. Press the "Save" icon to save the image.

References

• GIMP: Tutorials: Borders on Selection
• GIMP: Tutorials: Drawing Shapes
• GIMP: Tutorials: The Basics