Akkana Peck is a freelance software developer and writer who has been working with open source software for nearly 20 years. She has worked for a diverse collection of companies that include Netscape, Silicon Graphics, Sun, HP, and Apple, and has written imaging software ranging from GIMP plug-ins, to cartography, to scientific visualization.

Akkana is a longtime member of the GIMP community and enjoys giving GIMP courses and presentations, as well as filling up her hard drive with digital images. She lives in San Jose, California, with her husband and a motley assortment of old computers. You can find more of her musings at www.shallowsky.com.

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.

With four–color graphics and screenshots throughout, 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.