A very useful skill in Photo manipulation is the ability to selectively alter an area. If you can selectively colour an area you can use the same technique to apply a whole range of effects to very ...

Jack Wallen/ZDNET 2. Layer masks Layer masks are as essential as layers in GIMP. With layer masks, you can selectively modify the opacity/transparency of a layer.

For more fine-tuned blending, you can apply a white layer mask to the top layer using the "Layer" drop-down menu. With a white layer mask, when you paint over the top layer, the bottom layer emerges.

GIMP has matured into a truly incredible photo-editing program. If you’re coming by way of Photoshop, however, use these tips to ease the transition.

The technique makes use of layers and layer masks in The GIMP, so it is important to have a basic understanding of what these are beforehand. The next section introduces these concepts and provides a ...

You can also use the GIMP to export any of its other supported image formats to PDF and the export settings let you maintain any layer masks you used in the original image.