In the world of digital image editing, GIMP is a powerful tool that offers a wide range of functions - for free. But to get the most out of GIMP, it's crucial to look beyond just the user interface and master the keyboard shortcuts.
Keyboard shortcuts in GIMP are more than just useful shortcuts; they are the key to faster, smoother and more efficient image editing. You can use them to speed up common tasks, simplify your workflow and continue your creative work without interruption. They're especially valuable when you're immersed in the creative flow, where every second and every click counts.
In this article, we'll explore the world of GIMP keyboard shortcuts. We'll show you how you can optimize your workflow and increase your productivity by mastering these commands. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or a seasoned pro, these keyboard shortcuts will revolutionize your GIMP experience. So let's dive in and find out how you can take your creativity to the next level with GIMP keyboard shortcuts!
Table of Contents
File
File
Shortcut
New
Ctrl + N
Open file
Ctrl + O
Open as layers
Ctrl + Alt + O
Close
Ctrl + W
Exit
Ctrl + Q
Save
Ctrl + S
Save as
Ctrl + Shift + S
Print
Ctrl + P
Open last opened image 01
Ctrl + 1
Open last opened image 02
Ctrl + 2
Edit
Edit
Shortcut
Undo
Ctrl + Z
Redo
Ctrl + Y
Zoom in/out
Ctrl + mouse wheel
Move view
Hold space bar
Cut
Ctrl + X
Copy
Ctrl + C
Visible copy
Ctrl + Shift + C
Paste
Ctrl + V
Paste as new image
Ctrl + Shift + V
Delete
Delete
Fill with foreground color
Ctrl + ,
Fill with background color
Ctrl + .
Fill with pattern
Ctrl + ;
Selection
Selection
Shortcut
Select all
Ctrl + A
Select nothing
Ctrl + Shift + A
Reverse
Ctrl + I
Float
Ctrl + Shift + L
By color
Shift + O
From path
Shift + V
Toggle quick mask
Shift + Q
Image
Image
Shortcut
Duplicate
Ctrl + D
Merge visible layers
Ctrl + M
Image properties
Alt + Enter
View
View
Shortcut
1:1 view (100%)
1
Zoom out
-
Zoom in
+
Fit image into window
Ctrl + Shift + J
Fit window
Ctrl + J
Full screen
F11
Show selection
Ctrl + T
Show guides
Ctrl + Shift + T
Show rulers
Ctrl + Shift + R
Plane
Plane
Shortcut
New layer
Ctrl + Shift + N
Duplicate layer
Ctrl + Shift + D
Anchor layer
Ctrl + H
Select previous layer
Open image
Select next layer
Image down
Select top layer
Pos1
Select bottom layer
end
Offset
Shift + Ctrl + O
Show layer palette
Ctrl + L
Dialogs
Dialogs
Shortcut
Layers
Ctrl + L
Brush
Ctrl + Shift + B
Pattern
Ctrl + Shift + P
Color gradients
Ctrl + G
Tool settings
Ctrl + Shift + T
Print
Ctrl + P
Info window
Ctrl + Shift + I
Close window
Alt + F4
Jump to next
Tab
Jump to previous
Shift + Tab
Close dialog
ESC
Filter dialog
Filter dialog
Shortcut
Repeat last action
Ctrl + F
Show last action again
Ctrl + Shift + F
Toolbar
Toolbar
Shortcut
Rectangular selection
R
Free selection
F
Select by color
Shift + O
Foreground selection
Ctrl + O
Color pipette
O
Tape measure
Shift + M
Align
Shift + R
Rotate
Shift + R
tool
Shortcut
Rectangular selection
R
Free selection
F
Select by color
Shift + O
Foreground selection
Ctrl + O
Color pipette
O
Tape measure
Shift + M
Align
Q
Rotate
Shift + R
Scissors
Shift + S
Mirror
Shift + F
Text
T
Color gradient
L
Brush
P
Spray gun
A
Clone
C
Perspective cloning
Shift + C
Blur
S
Standard foreground/background color
D
Elliptical selection
E
Magic wand
U
Magnetic scissors
I
Paths
B
Zoom in/out
Z or +/-
Crop
C + Shift
Scale
T + Shift
Perspective
P + Shift
Cage transformation
G + Shift
Fill
B + Shift
Pin
N
Eraser
E + Shift
Ink
K
Cure
H
Blur/Sharpen
U + Shift
Dodge/exposure
D + Shift
Did you know ...?
that since version 2.8 it is very easy to run GIMP in single window mode and thus adapt the look and feel to the other Windows applications? To do this, go to "Single window mode" in the menu bar under "Window". If you also click on "Hide docks" in the window menu, you can simply show and hide the tool palettes to expand the available workspace. This is quicker with the tab key. Incidentally, this works in both multi-window and single-window mode. If you also want to switch between multi-window and single-window mode using a keyboard shortcut, you can create one yourself under "Edit" -> "Keyboard shortcuts" -> sub-item "Window"/"Single-window mode". You no longer need the "GIMPShop" project; this will also save you a lot of trouble with programs that are installed without being asked.
that you can set up all keyboard shortcuts yourself in the menu item "Edit" -> "Keyboard shortcuts" just mentioned, as not all of them are always optimally assigned or you are used to them from other applications?
that, contrary to the frequent criticism, GIMP does support different color profiles and that you can easily work in professional color spaces? It is true that GIMP uses the ICC profile sRGB as the default setting, which covers a smaller color space than Adobe RGB or Pro Photo RGB, for example. However, you can easily work with a professional and standardized color space in GIMP. At http://eci.org (European Color Initiative) you can download various free ICC profiles for color-correct production. For example, the standardized ECI-RGB profile. The ECI RGB colour space is a standardized RGB colour space. The ECI recommends it as a working color space for professional image processing. It covers all common display technologies as well as all printing processes and meets all requirements for color-correct printing. After downloading the corresponding ICC profile from the ECI homepage and calibrating your monitor, download the new ICC profile via "Edit" -> "Settings" -> "Color management".
that GIMP can help you with your web projects? GIMP helps you to create "link-sensitive graphics", i.e. images in which different areas contain different links that can be clicked on, such as the countries on a map. GIMP even generates the HTML code for this. Simply apply the "Image Map" filter (menu: "Filter" -> "Web" -> "ImageMap") to your image and follow the instructions.
that the background layer, just like in Photoshop, cannot immediately handle transparencies? But this is how it works: Right-click on the background layer -> Add alpha channel.
that not all editing tools are available when opening a GIF file? Since a GIF image is in a smaller color space that is limited to 256 colors, you must first convert the image to RGB in order to be able to use all editing options. To do this, click on "Image" -> "Mode" -> "RGB." in the menu.
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Shortcuts for GIMP - Keyboard shortcuts at a glance
Together with his brother Matthias, Stefan Petri runs the popular specialist forum PSD-Tutorials.de and the e-learning platform TutKit.com, which focuses on the training and further education of digital professional skills.