How To Combine Pictures In GIMP

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A Quick Combining Pictures Tutorial

It is real easy to combine pictures using GIMP.

It can be a way to show more pictures without having to load more image files, and you can even save space by resizing the combined image after you finish.

After learning the basics for combining two pictures together, you can follow the same instructions to put even more images together.

You could actually take a bunch of smaller images and put them together to form a contact sheet collection.

Getting Started 

I'm just taking this single image of Wilber, GIMP's mascot, and I'll combine it with a duplicate to make the image you see above. Note that the starting size (shown in the toolbar on top) is 535x388:


Wilber Icon In Main Image Window




Click on "File" then "New":


Combine - Click On New




I want a canvas background a little bit larger than combined dimensions of two of these images put together because I want a little bit of a border around them when I finish.

I just doubled the width and height, then added some more to each total:


Combine - New Dimensions




Which gives me this:


Combine - New Canvass



Think Ahead - Add A Border 

It's not mandatory, but I try to remember to add a background at this point. It could be colored, or just black.

You could add borders to each image before you add them to the new canvas, but I think it's quicker to just color the canvas before adding the images to it.

In this case, I use the Blend Tool to add a Gradient to it:


Select Blend Tool




After selecting the Blend Tool and choosing a Gradient to use, click a point on the canvas, stretch the line to another point, and click the canvas again:


Add Gradient




To get it to look like this:


Gradient Added



Add The Images 

Make a copy of the first image you want to add. Click on "Edit" in the Toolbar then "Copy":


Combine - Copy Image




Then paste it to the canvass, click on "Edit" then "Paste":


Combine - Paste Image




Which gives me:


Pasted Image




In the Toolbox, switch to the Move Tool, then reposition the pasted image to where you want it:


Combine - Select Move Tool




When the pasted image is where you want it, set it in place. Either move your cursor on the canvas until you see a little anchor symbol, or click "Layer" on the Toolbar, then select "Anchor":


Combine - Anchor Layer




Don't worry of you accidentally anchor it in the wrong spot, just click on "Edit" on the Toolbar and select "Undo Anchor Floating Section":


Combine - Undo Anchor Layer



The Finished Image 

I add the second image the same way, anchor it into place to get this:


Combined Wilburs




This image is probably larger than what I'm going to want to use. To change the size, click on "Image" on the Toolbar, then "Scale Image...":


Select Scale Image




Which brings up the Scale Image Dialog box:


Combine - Scale Image Dialog




The original had a height of 388 pixels, so setting it at 388 will make this the same height as the first, but I can change it to whatever will work for what I'm doing. With the chain link enabled between the width and height, the height will change to the right number to maintain the right perspective.

If I need to change on dimension without changing the other, I can just break the link by clicking on it

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How To Combine Pictures In GIMP
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by CleanerLife

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