Cutting Image Backgrounds for better eBay Pictures | Gimp

We don't need Photoshop here. Honestly I really recommend that software. But for this tutorial Gimp will do. Better have all the things listed below. You can get a copy of Gimp on my website Download Section. Sorry but you need to register. I had to do it to prevent from leeching. Anyway if you see links that look like ads***e links... hehhehehehe... well I think you know what to do. Also you can find the latest installation here.
| Latest Gimp for Windows | Gimp for MAC | ;-)

• A computer (of course). I'll be using a Windows XP based system. I've never tried Gimp on a Mac.


• A picture or image where you want the background removed.


• Gimp or Portable Gimp. It's an integral part of the Portable eBay Office


• A bottle of Mountain Dew and sack of french fries.

FIRE UP GIMP: If you used the installable Gimp, then you should have it in your Windows Menu. For the Portable Gimp, browse the folder (GIMPPORTABLE) you extracted from the zip file you downloaded from my site and double click on GimpPortable.exe.

IT should open two control panels. Click your Show Desktop Icon to remove the clutter in your desktop if there are any. Then click on the two Gimp button on your taskbar.

Rest if you have to. Use the shortcut CTRL+O (Control + letter "O") to open the file you are to edit. Once you have located the file, select it and click the OPEN button

Easy wasn't it? If you put your mind to it you can do it.

Click on the Canvas. That's the window with your vase oir image can be seen. Now use the shortcut ALT + L then "U". Meaning do the ALT + L before pressing "U". This should create a duplicate layer of your image.

On the right control panel (layers panel) you will now see a duplicate layer. The duplicate should be the active layer. Now click on the lowest "eye" icon to disable the original image layer leaving you with the duplicate.

Press ALT + V then "Z" then "I" to zoom the image on the canvas. Also stretch the canvas like you normaly do on other windows. Use ALT + V then "Z" then "O" to zoom out.

Yes I know that was easy... but we haven't started yet. :-)

Select the Pen Tool from the left control panel. It is a button with a pen head with lines. Come to think of it it rather looks like a small yellow lamp bulb. Click this button OR you can simply press "B" (quotes not included). Thai's the shortcut key assigned to the pen-lamp tool.

Edit Mode should be set to Design. This is found under the Paths group of option. You can find it on the left control panel. You won't miss it I'm sure. If you're still lost, compare it with the images below. Now tick the Design radio button. Got it?

Tell me that's easy. Ok let me take sip of Mountain Dew. You should too.

ADD AN ANCHOR: Right now, the left control panel (Tool Box) is active. Transfer to the image canvas by clicking on the canvas window. DO NOT CLICK ON THE IMAGE. Done? Ok, now look at your image. Imagine a rough outline enclosing it. The select a start point by clicking it with your pen tool. This will result into a very small circle.






DOTS... dots and more dots. Start clicking on your imaginary outline. One anchor or dot at a time. Note that it should only be a rough outline. Complet the crcuit around your image until your image is enclosed in rough outline.

DONE? Was it easy? Maybe you need another drink. We will be fine tuning this out line on the next step.

A rough outline would result into a rough edged output. So what we are going to do is to make that rough outline hug the image as close possible. Ready?

Try zooming the image to something larger. Zoom option is below the image canvas, somewhere in the lower left edge of the window. Choose 200% as you zoom factor. Can you see the outline more clearly? If not you have done something wrong.

Ugrade your pen tool from Design Mode to Edit Mode. Remember Step 4... the Paths options... in the Tool Box? Same here, but instead of ticking the Design radio button, click on the Edit radio button.(Pssst!!! Zoom you image if you have not done so, okay?) Better see this image.








Now activate the image canvas by clicking anywere except the image. Once activated, locate your point of origin... remember Step 5. Notice the line between anchors that are not following the curves of your image. Left click and hold (don't release the left button)... on this line. Trying moving the mouse. The line should follow the movements.








It is now time to ease the anchor point as close as possible to the image. When you are satisfied with the results release the left mouse button. You can also use the existing anchor points to adapt the lines to the image's curves. Just point your curso to an anchor point... and when the cursor changes to a pointing hand left click and hold. Then drag it to fit the curves of you image.








Note that once you have set an anchor you can no longer move it. If you've made a mistake use the undo shortcut CTRL + Z. Also, in each anchor point added, a control line is included. You can take advantage of this by dragging its points to change the shape of the line to fit the outline of the image.








Go ahead and repeat the process around you image until such that you rough outline hugs the entire image closely. You should end at your originating point. Don't be in a hurry, review your work until you are really satisfied.

Satisfied with your outline? Take a second look. Maybe there is still room for improvement. The finer your outline the better your output.

Aim your cursor somewhere inside your outline. Then perform a right click... choose Select from the menu.. then choose "From Path". OR better, use the shortcut SHIFT + V. This would transform your outline into a selection. This is characterized by a moving outline.





Very easy from here on... Copy the contents of the outline. Shortcut is CTRL + C. Yep just like you would normally do in Windows applications. Then open a new file. Shortcut is CTRL + N. Click the OK button on the dialog that appears. Paste the contents on the clean canvas. Shortcut key is CTRL + V.

Encode or save this new image in GIMP XCF format. This is so you can have an editable backup with the layers intact. Finally save or export it into whatever image you desire... be it GIF, JPEG, PNG... or whatever... :-)

End of tutorial... I hope this tutorial has served is purpose. It still has room for lots of improvement. But wasn't it easy to follow?

Now remember that in projects like this... your only limitation is your imagination. Consider that vase, we removed its background. This means that if we can remove the background then we can also change it to whatever we want it to be. The background can be sand, clouds... just about anything. Take your pick.

Developing this skill to its full potential will give you an edge. Now images or pictures can be molded according to the level of your skill. You can even earn from it. I am proud to say I earn from it. How?