How to Outline Images in Gimp

Add a simple or complex outline to your image in GIMP.

Sometimes an image just looks more striking with an outline or a border around its edges. With the image-editing program GIMP you can outline your image in mere seconds by using the Stroke tool. Not only can you create a basic single-color outline but you can use patterns, different styles of line and different drawing tools to create unique borders.

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Instructions

- 1
  
  Open the image by clicking "File > Open" and selecting the image from its folder.
- 2
  
  Press "Ctrl + A" to select the entire image. You can also click "Select > All" to do the same action.
- 3
  
  Press "Edit > Stroke Selection" and the Stroke Selection dialog box appears.
- 4
  
  Choose the width of your outline by choosing a value from the drop-menu or entering your own. The value defaults to pixels but you can choose from inches, millimeters, points or picas.
- 5
  
  Choose "Stroke Line" and "Solid Color" to create a basic outline in the foreground color indicated in Toolbar. Press the "Stroke" button to apply the outline to the image.
- 6
  
  Choose "Pattern" instead of "Solid Color" under "Stroke Line" to make an outline from a Pattern. Select the Pattern you wish to use for the outline from the Patterns box on the lower-right side of the screen. Press "Stoke" and GIMP applies the pattern outline to the image.
- 7
  
  Click the word "Line Style" under "Stroke Line" to reveal more options. You can choose from different dot or dash styles for your outline. Unclick the box marked "Antialiasing" if you do not want a smooth transition of pixels in your outline. Click "Stroke" to apply the outline to your image.
- 8
  
  Choose "Stroke with a Paint Tool" instead of "Stroke Line" for more creative options. Choose from eleven different tools for creating an outline. For example, you can use the Smudge tool to slightly blur the existing image in creating an outline or you can apply a pencil or airbrush mark as an outline. Press "Stroke" to apply the outline to the image.

GIMP: 3.17 Stroke Selection

GIMP: 3.17 Stroke Selection

Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

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How to Outline Images in Gimp

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