Suse LINUX Professional 9.3 Update 00662644461625 User Manual
Product codes
00662644461625
Like many other Linux programs, The GIMP is developed as a cooperative effort
of developers worldwide who volunteer their time and code to the project. The
program is under constant development, so the version included in your SUSE
LINUX may vary slightly from the version discussed here. The layout of the indi-
vidual windows and window sections is especially likely to vary.
of developers worldwide who volunteer their time and code to the project. The
program is under constant development, so the version included in your SUSE
LINUX may vary slightly from the version discussed here. The layout of the indi-
vidual windows and window sections is especially likely to vary.
The GIMP is an extremely complex program. Only a small range of features,
tools, and menu items are discussed in this chapter. See Section 18.6 on page 241
for ideas of where to find more information about the program.
tools, and menu items are discussed in this chapter. See Section 18.6 on page 241
for ideas of where to find more information about the program.
18.1
Graphics Formats
There are two main formats for graphics—pixel and vector. The GIMP works
only with pixel graphics, which is the normal format for photographs and
scanned images. Pixel graphics consist of small blocks of color that together cre-
ate the entire image. The files can easily become quite large because of this. It is
also not possible to increase the size of a pixel image without losing quality.
only with pixel graphics, which is the normal format for photographs and
scanned images. Pixel graphics consist of small blocks of color that together cre-
ate the entire image. The files can easily become quite large because of this. It is
also not possible to increase the size of a pixel image without losing quality.
Unlike pixel graphics, vector graphics do not store information for all individual
pixels. Instead, they store information about how image points, lines, or areas
are grouped together. Vector images can also be scaled very easily. The drawing
application of OpenOffice.org, for example, uses this format.
pixels. Instead, they store information about how image points, lines, or areas
are grouped together. Vector images can also be scaled very easily. The drawing
application of OpenOffice.org, for example, uses this format.
18.2
Starting GIMP
Start GIMP from the main menu. Alternatively, enter
gimp &
in a command line.
18.2.1
Initial Configuration
When starting GIMP for the first time, a configuration wizard opens for prepara-
tory configuration. The default settings are acceptable for most purposes. Press
‘Continue’ in each dialog unless you are familiar with the settings and prefer an-
other setup.
tory configuration. The default settings are acceptable for most purposes. Press
‘Continue’ in each dialog unless you are familiar with the settings and prefer an-
other setup.
236
18.1. Graphics Formats