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What is GIMP and what is it used for?: Step-by-step tutorial for optimizing images

 GIMP is a graphic design program that can be a great help in creating and editing images for a variety of purposes. It’s widely used by students and companies for various design tasks. But what does image optimization have to do with SEO, you might ask? Let me share a little anecdote from our digital marketing agency.

At our SEO agency

We embarked on a mission to Therefore,  drastically improve our blog section after discovering that Core Web Vitals were resulting in high load times. With Google’s recent updates , it became clear that user experience is a crucial factor in our site’s performance.

After a thorough review of various elements and consulting Google’s best practices guides, we identified a problem with the site’s images: they  specific database by industry didn’t meet optimization recommendations. Given the importance of images to the user experience, it was imperative to find a quick and effective solution.

The search for a user-friendly and easy-to-use program led us through several options until we found the perfect solution: GIMP. This software not 5 inbound marketing tactics for lead generation  only met our usability requirements but also offered the necessary tools to optimize our images and, consequently, significantly improve the loading times of the blog section.

For this reason, in this article, Therefore,  I’ll explain in detail what GIMP is, what it’s used for, and how it works. I’ll also explain how to download it and what its main functions are, so you can understand its true importance and use it in your daily life.

What is GIMP and how does it work?

GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free and open source graphic design program. I’ve had the opportunity to use it as a versatile and powerful image editor, allowing me to create, edit, and optimize all types of images. Furthermore, this tool isn’t limited to a single operating system, as it’s compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac.

What is the GIMP program used for?

GIMP can be used in a variety of graphic design and web development activities. Its features include advanced image editing, photo  sault data retouching, graphic creation, logo design, and more. It can create montages, maps, and infographics, processing images in flat or layered formats. It includes a wide variety of brushes, filters, and effects.

I can confirm, with complete confidence, that GIMP is one of the most powerful free design tools I’ve used so far.

How to download GIMP?

To download GIMP, you can visit the official GIMP download site and select the version compatible with your operating system. Installation is quick and easy, allowing you to access all of the program’s features immediately.

GIMP’s Main Features and How to Use Them

GIMP is a tool that offers a wide variety of tools, and to get the most out of them, you’ll need to know them inside out. Below, I’ll explain how to do this:

GIMP Toolbox: Main Functions

GIMP’s toolbox includes essential image editing features, such as brushes, selections, and text tools. To access these features, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the toolbar and experiment with each icon.

In my personal experience, I have not encountered many difficulties in adapting to this software’s toolbox.

How to edit a photo in GIMP?

To edit a photo with GIMP you need to follow these steps:

  • Open the photo in GIMP.
  • Use the “Selection” tools to highlight specific areas.
  • Apply color, contrast, and brightness adjustments using the “Menu” options.
  • Experiment with filters and layers to achieve desired effects.

How to resize an image in GIMP?

The steps to achieve this are:

  • Open the image in GIMP.
  • Go to “Image” in the menu bar and select “Image Size.”
  • Enter the desired dimensions and click “OK.”

How to clone an image in GIMP?

To clone an image with this tool, you need to follow these steps:

  • Select the clone tool from the toolbox.
  • Set an origin point by pressing “Ctrl+click.”
  • Paint over the new desired area.

What formats does GIMP work with?

GIMP supports a wide range of formats.  Including JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and more. Images can be imported and exported in these formats according to the user’s needs.

How to make a PNG image in GIMP?

To make or create a PNG image with GIMP, you must open the image, then select the desired area and finally click on “File” > “Export as” and choose PNG as the default format.