4. Using Layers

This chapter introduces you to the details involved in using Layers to edit photographs and other images.

A lot of image editing done in GIMP requires creating and manipulating layers. Layers enable you to create rich graphics used in icons, buttons, avatars, and signatures commonly used on the Web. All images you open in GIMP have at least one layer: the background layer. Think of it as similar to a physical drawing created with paper and pencil. Now imagine having an overhead transparency that contains an image; the sort you’d use with an overhead projector to display an image on a wall or screen. If you placed the transparency on top of your drawing, both the image on the transparency and at least part of the original image ...

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