2 Ways To Draw A Straight Line with GIMP

With the ability to draw a wonderfully straight strains could sound like a trivial job, however doing so in a raster-based setting (corresponding to GIMP) may be surprisingly perplexing to some because it’s considerably of a hidden characteristic. On this tutorial we’ll be going over two alternative ways in which you'll be able to draw a straight line with GIMP, utilizing paths in addition to brush strokes.

In brief, you'll be able to draw a straight line in GIMP by utilizing the Paths Software to attract a straight path, after which stroke the trail.

This can be achieved utilizing the Pencil or Brush instrument and holding Shift in your keyboard earlier than clicking on the canvas. The good thing about this methodology is that it lets you lock your strains onto a horizontal or vertical axis. Let’s dig in!

Draw A Straight Line with GIMP

The next video tutorial will stroll you thru each processes for drawing straight strains with GIMP:

Proceed on for the written directions.

Possibility 1: Draw straight strains utilizing the Paths Software

Let’s first go over how to attract a straight line utilizing the Paths Software, which may be accessed in your toolbar or by urgent the letter B in your keyboard.

With the Paths Software enabled, click on in your canvas to create a degree. This level will characterize the start line in your line:

Now convey your cursor over to the place you’d just like the second level to be and click on to put it. This can characterize the endpoint of your line.

The instrument will robotically place a line between these two factors:

Nonetheless, this line will not be a part of the design. It’s basically a visible information. To make this information (or path) right into a line we’ll have to use a stroke to it utilizing the Stroke Path characteristic.

To entry it, navigate to:

The menu ought to look one thing like this:

The presets chosen within the screenshot above are as follows:

• Stroke line: Stable colour
• Antialiasing enabled
• Line width: three px

The Line Width worth represents the thickness of the road that will probably be drawn. You possibly can improve or lower this measurement to fit your personal wants.

As soon as utilized, press the Stroke button, and a stroke (within the colour you’ve chosen as your foreground colour) will probably be generated alongside your path:

You might have to deselect the Paths Software to eliminate the information/path as a way to see the straight line you’ve drawn with GIMP.

Possibility 2: Draw straight strains utilizing the Shift key

Now let’s go over a unique methodology through which the Brush Software and Pencil Software can be utilized to attract a straight line with GIMP.

Usually, while you draw a line with the Brush or Pencil instruments, it’s hardly ever completely straight. It's because the road follows the trail of your hand motion, which normally isn’t a wonderfully straight. Nonetheless, there may be one other approach to attract with these instruments, permitting you to attract a straight line if want be.

Let’s use the Pencil Software (keyboard shortcut: N) for instance.

Maintain Shift in your keyboard and click on as soon as in your canvas to create a degree. There ought to now be a information line originating from the spot of the purpose that tails your mouse motion:

Whereas nonetheless holding Shift, merely click on once more to create one other level, which can then full your line:

Whereas drawing, you'll be able to maintain the Management key to lock the road onto the horizontal or vertical axis to attract completely straight line:

You too can draw diagonal strains utilizing this methodology in addition to your strains will probably be locked into 15 diploma increments.

This methodology can be repeated utilizing the Brush Software (keyboard shortcut: P) which will even will let you draw a straight line with GIMP utilizing brush settings of your desire. Take a look at my tutorial on how you can use these instruments should you want additional help.

Which Is Higher?

The good thing about utilizing the Path Software methodology is that you could change the thickness of your line after it’s been drawn, if want be. Altering the thickness when utilizing the Pencil or Brush instruments would imply undoing/erasing the road and beginning over with a unique brush thickness.

Alternatively, the advantage of utilizing the Pencil/Brush instruments is that you could lock your strains onto 15 diploma angles if want be.

When you've got any questions or want clarification on any of the steps taken on this lesson, merely go away a remark under.

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