BlogHow do I create a canvas to sit behind my images with GIMP
Problem: I have a bunch of images which I want to use in either an image gallery or a slideshow. To do this the images all be of dimensions 360×270 pixels, however the images were previously cropped so are all over the place.
You can create a canvas the size you need to sit behind the images and fill to the required dimensions using GIMP. Here’s how.
Begin
- Open GIMP
- Select Tools –> Toolbox to make sure the toolbox is displaying
- In the toolbox move the cursor over the top-left selection item and select it to ensure that the Rectangular Select Tool is active.
- Open the image File –> Open
Note: Size given as Width x Height; the image’s size will display in the top of the palette toolbar.
Example sizes: 360×240, 290×250, 290×270
If either or both dimensions are smaller than 360×270:
- Select Image –> Canvas Size
- Break the chain link and raise the number up to 360 Width adn 270 Height
- Select Resize
- Select Save (or Save as if you want to change the name)
- If you get a quality dialog box select 85%, then finish the save.
Note – Yes you could theoretically increase the size using the Scale option, but if you increase a dimension more than a couple pixels the qality breaks up.
Example sizes: 327×360 or 400×200
There are a couple ways to bring an image to proper 4:3 ratio if either dimension is greater than its requirement. The easiest:
- After opening the image select Image –> Scale Image
- Leave the chain link intact and scale the height down to 270 and select Scale; if the width were the large you would be adjusting it to 360.
- If the image loses clarity and this is common, select Filters –> Enhance –> Sharpen
- Adjust Sharpness to about 50 and select OK
- Select Image –> Canvas Size
- Break the link on the chain and adjust the Width to 360
- Select Resize
- Select File –> Save as, adjust the Quality to 85% and Save