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To combine pictures in GIMP, add each one as a separate layer in the same image, then arrange the layer order and adjust position or transparency. Keep the layers separate while editing; use New from Visible for a composite that preserves them, or Merge Visible Layers when you intend to replace the visible layers with one.
Menu labels and import steps can vary by GIMP version. Consult the manual for your installed version if you do not see a command described here.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat “merge pictures” means in GIMP
“Merge” can describe several different tasks:
- Put pictures in one project: add them as separate layers.
- Make a collage: arrange those layers on one canvas.
- Blend pictures: use opacity, layer modes, or masks.
- Create a composite: make a combined layer while preserving the source layers.
- Merge visible layers: combine visible layers and remove their separate versions from the image.
An image is the complete GIMP document. Layers form a stack: higher layers sit in front of lower ones. The canvas is the image’s working area, and a layer’s boundaries do not have to match it. Save the editable project in XCF format; export a separate image for sharing.
The safest way to combine pictures
- Open the picture you want to use as the base, or create an image with the canvas you need.
- Add the other pictures as separate layers. Use the import-as-layers command if it is available in your installed version; consult that version’s manual for the exact menu label.
- Check the Layers dialog to confirm each picture is on its own layer.
- Rename layers descriptively, such as Portrait, Background, or Sky.
- Arrange the layers in the stack. Higher layers appear in front of lower layers.
- Toggle layer visibility as needed to inspect or compare parts of the composition.
- Save the editable project in XCF format before merging or flattening layers.
GIMP’s official manual explains images, layers, and layer properties. Import command names can vary by version, so check the manual for the version you use.
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Put pictures side by side
1. Create enough canvas space
Use the canvas-size controls to make room for a horizontal strip, vertical layout, or grid. Changing the canvas size changes the working area, not the size of the pictures. A layer may therefore be partly outside the visible canvas.
2. Resize individual pictures
Select a picture’s layer and use the layer scaling controls to resize it. Preserve its proportions to avoid stretching faces, buildings, or other shapes. Resize the whole image only when you want to scale the canvas and all its layers together.
3. Position and align the layers
Select the intended layer, then move it into place with the Move tool. Check the tool options so you move the active layer rather than another object. For precise layouts, use rulers, guides, or the alignment tools available in your version.
4. Handle the empty areas
Empty canvas areas can remain transparent, be filled with a background color, or contain a background layer. Keep transparency if you need it in the exported image, and check that the chosen export format supports it.
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Overlay and blend pictures
- Open the base picture.
- Add the second picture as a separate layer.
- Select the upper layer and position it as needed.
- Adjust its opacity for uniform transparency. GIMP’s opacity setting runs from 0 (fully transparent) to 100 (fully opaque).
- Start with Normal mode. Preview other layer modes if you want a different color interaction; the result depends on both pictures.
Layer modes change how a layer’s colors combine with the layers beneath it. See the GIMP layer-mode documentation. The cited page is for GIMP 2.10, so labels and available modes may differ in other versions.
Use a layer mask for selective blends
Opacity affects the whole layer; a mask controls which areas show through. Add a layer mask to the upper layer, then use grayscale on the mask to control visibility: white reveals, black hides, and gray allows partial visibility. A soft brush or gradient can create a gradual transition.
Masks let you revise a blend without erasing the source picture. They are useful when only part of an overlay should show.
Choose how to combine layers
New from Visible: keep the original layers
Use New from Visible when you want a composite layer but still need the separate source layers. It creates a combined snapshot while retaining those layers.
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Merge Visible Layers
Use Image → Merge Visible Layers when you want to combine the visible layers and replace their separate versions. Hidden layers are not included. Choose the result boundary that fits your purpose:
- Expanded as necessary: retains visible content beyond the canvas.
- Clipped to image: limits the result to the canvas.
- Clipped to bottom layer: uses the bottom layer’s boundaries.
This operation removes the original visible layers from the image. Save an XCF copy first if you may want to revise them. See the GIMP layer-merging documentation; exact dialog options can vary by version.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFlatten Image
Flatten only when you intend to reduce the image to one layer. It removes separate layer editability and transparency. For a safer workflow, keep the layered XCF and export a separate delivery image instead.
Save and export the result correctly
- Save the editable project in XCF format.
- Keep that layered file as your source copy.
- Export a separate image in a format suited to its use.
- PNG: supports transparency and is suitable for graphics and lossless output.
- JPEG: suitable for many photographs, but does not preserve transparency or editable layers.
- Other formats: check the recipient’s requirements and whether the format preserves the features you need.
XCF preserves GIMP image information, including layers and transparency. An exported single-layer image does not retain the editable layer stack. See the GIMP manual for format and project details.
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Troubleshooting
The second picture is not visible
Check that the layer is visible in the Layers dialog and sits above the layer you expect to see through. It may also be outside the canvas or covered by another layer. Move it into view or adjust the stack order.
The picture is cut off
The layer may extend beyond the canvas. Reposition it or enlarge the canvas if you need the full picture. Content outside the canvas is not included in an image-clipped result.
The Move tool moves the wrong thing
- Select the intended layer in the Layers dialog.
- Review the Move tool options and choose the active layer when that option is available.
- Temporarily hide unrelated layers if needed.
- Use small keyboard adjustments after selecting the correct layer.
Pictures have different sizes or orientations
Scale layers separately while preserving their proportions. For a collage, arrange the images deliberately rather than stretching one to fill a space. Cropping or leaving a background around a picture can help accommodate different shapes.
Transparency disappeared
Check whether you flattened the image, added an opaque background, or exported to a format that does not support transparency. Keep the layered XCF and choose a transparency-supporting format, such as PNG, for the delivery image.
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Merge Visible Layers created the wrong size
Repeat the operation and choose the boundary option that matches your goal: expanded to retain visible content, clipped to the image canvas, or clipped to the bottom layer.
FAQ
How do I put two pictures in one GIMP project?
Add the pictures as separate layers in the same image. Check the manual for your installed version for the exact import command and menu label.
How do I blend two pictures without erasing either one?
Keep them on separate layers. Adjust the upper layer’s opacity for an overall blend, or add a layer mask to reveal or hide selected areas.
What is the difference between New from Visible and Merge Visible Layers?
New from Visible creates a composite while retaining the source layers. Merge Visible Layers combines visible layers and removes their separate versions from the image.
Should I save as XCF or export an image?
Save as XCF to preserve the editable GIMP project, including its layer structure. Export a separate image for sharing or delivery.
Which GIMP method should you use?
| Goal | Method |
|---|---|
| Add another picture to the project | Add it as a separate layer using the command available in your version |
| Make a collage | Keep pictures on separate layers and arrange them on the canvas |
| Blend two pictures uniformly | Adjust the upper layer’s opacity |
| Reveal only selected areas | Use a layer mask |
| Create a composite while preserving source layers | New from Visible |
| Combine visible layers and remove their separate versions | Merge Visible Layers |
| Preserve the editable project | Save as XCF |
The practical rule is to keep source pictures on separate layers while arranging or blending them, save the XCF, and create a composite only when you have a specific reason.
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