How to Add a Background in GIMP
Using layers while you are editing images gives you the ability to paint over or under an image without losing the original image. If you decide that you don't like a change, simply delete the layer and the original image is restored. You can use the Layers tool in GIMP to add layers to an image and change their positioning at will. To add a new background layer, you simply add a layer to an image and change its position to place it below the original image on the layer stack.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Launch GIMP. Drag the image you want to modify into the main window. Alternately, click the "File" menu on the top toolbar and select "Open" to load the image.
-
2
Press the "Ctrl" and "L" keys together or open the "Windows" menu and click "Dockable Dialogs" and "Layers." GIMP displays the Layers tool. If you are editing an image with one layer, the image is labeled "Background" on the Layers tool.
-
-
3
Right-click the open area on the bottom half of the Layers tool and select "New Layer." The New Layer dialogue box opens. By default, the layer has the same dimensions as the image you are editing and a transparent background color. Edit the "Width" and "Height" fields or click a radio button under "Layer Fill Type" to change these.
-
4
Click "OK" to create the new layer. The image appears on the Layers tool with the label "New Layer." GIMP places the new layer above the original image, which remains in the background.
-
5
Click the new layer and then click the down-pointing green arrow on the bottom of the Layers tool. This moves the new layer to the background.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can only see a layer in GIMP after moving it to the background if the original background layer has transparent elements.
