GIMP is an open-source raster graphics editor. “GIMP” stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program which can be used for image manipulation, image editing, free-form drawing, and transcoding between image file formats. When we speak of “transcoding”, we are referring to converting one file format to another file format.

In this tutorial, we focus on layers and how to use layers to make complex graphics.

Table of Contents

1. What is GIMP?
2. Why GIMP?
3. What are “Layers”?
4. Why use Layers?
5. How to create a Layer?
6. How to create a Layer with an image?
7. How to create a new Layer and add text?
8. How to change the stack positioning of a Layer?
9. How to remove a Layer?
10. Working Example of Using Layers
11. Where can I download GIMP?
12. Finding GIMP Support

1. What is GIMP?

GIMP is an open-source raster graphics editor. “GIMP” stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program which can be used for image manipulation, image editing, free-form drawing, and transcoding between image file formats. When we speak of “transcoding”, we are referring to converting one file format to another file format.

GIMP was first released to the public in 1996 under the GNU Project, which is an open-source software library licensed under the GNU General Public License. The goal of the GNU Project is to give software users the freedom and ability to use the software and to apply their knowledge and resources to collaborate with other software users in order to operate the software, to copy and distribute it, and to study and modify it. This collaboration allows for innovative ways to further develop and advance the features and functionality of the software, which ultimately generates additional distribution and more software users. GIMP is currently released under the GNU General Public License 3.0 or later.