GIMP 2. 10: Effectively Using the New Smudge Tool

The Smearytool in GIMP2.10has been enhanced with a customizable function that allows you to create more precise effects. This tool is particularly useful when working with images and wanting to alter them artistically. Below you will learn step by step how to make optimal use of these new features.

Key Insights

• The flow slider offers a new way to control painting with the smear tool.
• You can now work non-destructively by smearing on a transparent layer.
• It is possible to use colors from the image as a reference to create harmonious effects.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the New Smear Tool

Open GIMP 2.10 and load the image you want to work on. You can use any photo you want to edit.

Select the Smear Toolfrom the toolbar. Alternatively, you can press the "S" key to quickly access the tool. This gives you direct access to the functions you need for your editing.

Take a look at the tool settings. A new feature has been added here: the flow slider. When the flow is set to zero, you can only smear the pixels in the image without applying additional color. This is particularly useful when you only want to manipulate the texture of the existing colors.

A key advantage of the new Smear Tool is the ability to work non-destructively. This means you make no changes directly on the image layer, giving you the flexibility to return to the original state later without loss.

Create a new transparent layer, for example, named "smear". Ensure that this layer is above the image layer. This way, you can work with the Smear Tool without directly altering the original pixels.

When you now paint with the Smear Tool over the image, you will initially see no visible changes as you are only smearing transparent pixels. However, to make color visible, enable the “Sample Average” option in the tool settings. This allows you to consider the colored pixels beneath the smeared layer.

Now you can get creative by smearing colored pixels into the transparent layer. It's important to note that the changes do not lie directly on the image, but on the transparent layer. This gives you the ability to review your interventions later by simply hiding the layer.

If you want to make saved changes to your transparent layer obsolete, you can simply hide the layer and see the image in its original state. This non-destructive workflow allows you a lot of freedom to experiment.

To make your works even more interesting, you can use the flow slider. By adjusting the flow, you can determine the intensity of the color application. A value of 1 to 2 is often well suited for achieving subtle effects.

Select a color that stands out from the rest of the image. For example, a shade of red. If you want to smear this color into the image now, pull the flow slider up, but not too much, as otherwise the original pixels will no longer be visible.

Alternatively, you can also hold down the control key at any time to select a color directly from the image. This gives you enormous creative freedom to place color effects purposefully.

As soon as you start smearing the new color, you will see that the new color integrates into the structure of the image. This is particularly useful for creating a harmonious flow of color or highlighting specific areas.

You can also combine different hues and their intensity to achieve an interesting, artistic result. This makes the Smear Tool not only a tool for minor changes but also an additional means for creative design.

Summary - New Features in GIMP 2.10's Smear Tool

The Smear Tool in GIMP 2.10 offers you enhanced features to work creatively with images without having to fear the loss of the original image data. The new sliders and options allow you to make more precise changes, and due to the non-destructive nature of the work, you have the freedom to experiment and retract as you wish.