Gimp  101  
1. Install the Gimp.  Free.  And you can install it on all your computers with no hassle.  Does generally the same work that Photoshop does.  But if you are used to Photoshop, you probably should stick to Photoshop. The Gimp

Grokking the Gimp.  Online instruction book for using the Gimp.  Also available on hardcover from Amazon (above).

Gimp-Savvy Archive
Collection of over 25,000 pictures you can download and use (free of copyright).

GIMPShop
Free version of the Gimp designed for Photoshop users.  The UI is set up to follow patterns of use like those offered by Photoshop. 

2. Open Gimp.  Gimp generally opens 2 windows.  One window for tools and one window for the image.  If you don't give it an image, it will probably only open the tools window.  The tools are displayed graphically.  Hover the cursor to get a text ID. 

The Gimp will usually open with a tip window also.  It is not important.
Use file>open on the tools window.  Select a .jpg image for a practice edit.   The Building Textures page offers some images you can practice with. Building Textures
3. On the tools window, choose rectangular select.  Go to the picture window. Press and hold the left mouse button. Move the mouse to see the effects of rectangular select.  You are selecting a rectangular area of the picture to work with. 

 
4. On the image window, select Image>Crop.  See the effect.

Note the the bottom of the screen on the right.  I sometimes set the screen display to 200% to get more precision in selecting the crop.  

5. On the image window, select Edit>Undo.  See the effect.  That was reassuring.
6. Do steps 3 and 4 again to show yourself that you know what you are doing.  That's how you build self-confidence.  Show your brain that you know what you are doing. 
Confidence Slogans and Tips
7. On the image window, select File>Save as.  Give the file another name.  Be sure to put .jpg at the end.  The Gimp will ask your approval for the compression and (possibly) export.   Let it do what it wants. The Gimp can save in many formats, including its own working file format.  If you don't indicate a format, Gimp will ask for one. 
You can apply uploaded textures to objects. The Easter Egg video shows how.

You can display textures as images. 

Easter Eggs

Scripts to display images:
 Primager
Image floater, random
When you work with other image types (like .gif), be sure to check the description line at the top of window.  You want to see RGB.  If you don't, use Image>Mode>RGB to get it. Indexed files will not always give you the results you want.
Other Gimp Jobs Using the alpha channel
The Thinkerer 05/01/2008
 Copyright (c) D. F. Dansereau & S. H. Evans

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