GIMP Tutorial
Photo Collage Name

1. Open Gimp

2. Select File > New to create a new canvas.

3. Set the image size to:

• Width: 1600 px

• Height: 900 px

4. Select OK

Choose one of these background options:

Plain-colour background

1. Select the Background layer.

2. Choose a colour using the Foreground Colour box.

3. Use the Bucket Fill Tool to fill the background.

Photograph background

1. Select File → Open as Layers.

2. Find and open the photograph you want to use.

3. Use the Scale Tool to resize the image so it covers the canvas.

4. Move this layer to the bottom of the Layers panel.

Choose a background that allows your name to be seen clearly. A simple or slightly darker background will usually work better than a very detailed image.

Choose approximately five to eight photographs showing things you enjoy or that represent you.

These might include:

• a sport or activity

• music, films or games

• favourite foods

• animals

• places

• hobbies

• colours or patterns

• friends or whānau, where appropriate

To add each photograph:

1. Be on your Name Collage group 

2. Select File → Open as Layers.

3. Find and open the photographs - CTRL click allows you to select more than one.

4. Under the layers panel you should see them all in the Name Collage group. If not, drag the photograph layers into the NAME COLLAGE group.

5. If your files were already named appropriately you can ignore this step - otherwise rename the layers so you can identify it easily.

Use the Move Tool (M), Scale Tool (Shift + S) and Rotate Tool (Shift + R)  to organise the photographs. You may also want to remove backgrounds using the skills you learn in the sheep tutorial.

In the layers panel you can move the photo order up or down, to get the ordering right. 

Create one large rectangular collage across the middle of the canvas.

Make sure:

• the images overlap slightly

• there are no empty gaps

• the collage is wider than your name will be

• important parts of the photographs are not hidden behind other images

• each photograph is on its own layer

Do not worry about the outside edges of the collage. These will be hidden later.

1. In the Layers panel, select the NAME COLLAGE layer group.

2. Right-click the layer group.

3. Select Add Layer Mask.

4. Choose Selection.

5. Select Add.

6. To see the images hide the original text layer by clicking its eye icon.

The photographs should now only be visible inside the letters of your name.

7. Select Select → None or CTRL + SHIFT + A to remove the moving dotted line.

Before submitting your work, check that:

• I have used at least five suitable photographs.

• Each photograph is on a separate layer.

• My photographs are organised inside a layer group.

• My photographs appear inside the letters of my name.

• I have adjusted the images so there are no empty gaps.

• My name is large and easy to read.

• My background suits the design.

• I have saved an editable .xcf file.

• I have exported a finished .jpg image.