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To make a shape in GIMP, create a selection and fill or stroke it, or use the Paths tool for editable straight and curved outlines. Rectangle Select and Ellipse Select are quick choices for regular pixel regions; Paths is better for polygons, custom curves, and reusable outlines.
How to make shapes in GIMP
Use Rectangle Select for rectangles, Ellipse Select for circles and ellipses, and Paths for polygons and custom curves. A selection defines an area on the active layer; it becomes visible when you fill, paint, or stroke it. A path remains separately editable and can be converted to a selection, filled, or stroked.
Make a rectangle or square
- Choose Tools → Selection Tools → Rectangle Select or press R.
- Click and drag on the canvas to define the rectangular selection.
- Fill the selection with Bucket Fill, or use the stroke-selection command for an outline.
- Choose Select → None when you are finished.
Use the Rectangle Select tool options to set rounded corners or a fixed aspect ratio, width, height, or size. Constrain the aspect ratio to 1:1 when you need a square.
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- Choose Tools → Selection Tools → Ellipse Select or press E.
- Click and drag on the canvas. Hold Shift while dragging to constrain the selection to a circle.
- To draw a circle from the starting point as its center, hold Ctrl+Shift while dragging.
- Fill the selection for a solid shape or stroke it for an outline, then choose Select → None.
For a higher-quality outlined ellipse, the GIMP manual describes using the selection’s Border command to subtract an inner selection from an outer one. A directly stroked ellipse selection can have crude antialiasing.
#1 Best Overall
- PLEASE NOTE：XPPen Artist13.3 Pro drawing tablet Need to connect with computer,you need to use it with your computer or laptop, the 3 in 1 cable is included
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- Universal Compatibility & Software Support：supports Windows 7 (or later), Mac OS X 10.10 (or later), Chrome OS 88 (or later), and Linux systems. Fully compatible with major creative software including Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, and Blender 3D. Register your device to access additional programs like ArtRage 5 and openCanvas for expanded creative possibilities.
Make a polygon or custom curved shape with Paths
Paths is the flexible choice for polygons and custom outlines. Place nodes for straight segments, use Polygonal mode to keep segments linear, or drag nodes or segments to create Bézier curves and adjust their handles.
- Choose Tools → Paths or press B.
- Click successive points to place nodes around the shape. Use Polygonal mode for straight polygon edges.
- For curves, drag a node or segment to create Bézier handles, then adjust the handles to control the curve.
- Close the path if it should enclose a filled area.
- Convert the path to a selection, fill it, or stroke it.
Choose how to use the path
- Convert to a selection: use the path’s outline as a selection, then fill, paint, or modify pixels within it.
- Fill: render a filled shape from the path.
- Stroke: render an outline along the path.
- Create a vector layer: in GIMP 3.2, a path can be turned into a vector layer that retains fill and stroke attributes.
Keep the path if you may need to edit its nodes later. In contrast, selections constrain work to a region of the active layer. A selection made from a path and the original path are separate, so changing the selection does not replace the path.
Rank #2
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Selection, path, or vector layer?
| Choose | Best for | What remains editable |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle or ellipse selection | Quick regular pixel regions to fill, edit, or stroke | The selection constrains work on the active layer |
| Path | Polygons, custom curves, precise outlines, and later node editing | The path remains available separately from a selection created from it |
| Vector layer | GIMP 3.2 workflows needing adjustable fill and stroke attributes | Fill and stroke attributes are retained |
Use selection tools for quick regular shapes and paths when you need custom geometry or later editing. These distinctions follow the capabilities described in the GIMP manuals; they are not based on hands-on testing.
Save shapes so they remain editable
Keep the path or other editable construction available while you work. If you render a shape onto pixels, remember that the result is a pixel-based fill or stroke; a path can remain available separately for later node edits. In GIMP 3.2, a vector layer can retain fill and stroke attributes.
Rank #3
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a circle in GIMP?
Choose Ellipse Select or press E, then hold Shift while dragging to constrain the selection to a circle. Fill it for a solid shape or stroke it for an outline.
How do I draw a polygon in GIMP?
Use the Paths tool, click successive points for corners, and keep segments linear with Polygonal mode. Close the path, then convert it to a selection, fill it, or stroke it.
Rank #4
- Universal Compatibility: It's compatible with Windows 7/8/10/11, Mac 10.10 or later, Linux. Compatible with Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, Painter, MediBang, Clip Studio, and more. It's ideal for digital drawing, animation, sketching, photo editing, 3D sculpting, and more (XP-PEN Artist12 drawing tablet must be connected to a computer to work).
- 11.6 HD IPS display: Artist12 drawing tablet is the XP-PEN’s latest smallest 1920x1080 HD display paired with 72% NTSC(100%SRGB) Color Gamut, presenting vivid images, vibrant colors and extreme detail for a stunning display of your artwork. It's pre-installed anti-reflective screen protector already. The slim touch bar can be programmed to zoom in and out, scroll up and down. Its 6 shortcut keys are customizable, XP-PEN driver allows the shortcut keys to be attuned to other different software
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- XP-PEN provides a one-year warranty and lifetime technical support for all our drawing pen tablets/displays. Register your XP-PEN Artist12 drawing tablet on xp-pen web to apply for an ArtRage 5, openCanvas, or Explain Everything. Your laptop/desktop needs to have HDMI and USB-A ports available for the connection, or you need an extra converter(such as Thunderbolt to HDMI, depends on what ports that your laptop/desktop has) for the connection
How do I make a curved shape in GIMP?
Use the Paths tool and drag a node or segment to create Bézier handles. Adjust the handles to shape the curve, close the path if it should enclose an area, then convert, fill, or stroke it.
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Should I use a selection or a path?
Use Rectangle Select or Ellipse Select for quick regular pixel regions. Use Paths for custom outlines, polygons, curves, or later node editing; in GIMP 3.2, a path can also become a vector layer that retains fill and stroke attributes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PLEASE NOTE: The XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro needs to connect with a computer to use. You need to use it with your Computer or Laptop. It is NOT a standalone drawing tablet
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