(06-06-2026, 06:04 AM)sallyanne Wrote: Hi Sallyanne,
thank you so much for this detailed and perfectly structured step-by-step guide! Your method of removing the white background first and then working with paths is a real game-changer for my project.
First of all, you need to get rid of the white background around your dots.
1. Making sure your layer has an alpha channel, click on the fuzzy select tool (majic wand) and grow your selection 1 px.
2. Go to the colour menu and click on colour to alpha. Select none. Then add a transparent layer (on top first so you can see where to join).
3.Using the path tool to connect the dots you wish to, stopping at each dot.
4. After doing one path click on 'new path' (in the paths dialog right click on the path then new path) then do another path joining more dots etc.
5. After you have done as many as you need to, stroke your paths if doing the same colour, otherwise you will need to do them as you make them.
6. Drop this layer below the dots layer so the lines do not show through the dots.
7. Add another white layer assuming you still want white in the back and drop it to the bottom.
8. Merge all visible layers.
As for gradient, yes you can add one. Do the same as in step 1 then invert your selection
Using the gradient you want to use go from left to right making sure your shape is in linear
Many thanks for your in-depth-going and detailed explanation!
Your guide is fantastic, Sallyanne.
Just a small addition based on my own experimentation (I’ve really caught the GIMP bug lately!): Another way to connect the dots would be to draw using the Paintbrush tool combined with the Shift key. You place a dot, then hold down the Shift key and click on the next dot to draw a perfectly straight line. However, your path-based method is much cleaner, especially when dealing with many lines. I just thought I’d mention it as a simple alternative for quick connections.
a quick question about your first step: You write, "Click on the Magic Wand tool and expand your selection by 1 px." What exactly is the purpose of this expansion?
Sallyanne, that tip about the color gradient is great. If I want to place the connected points onto a completely new background graphic (e.g., one with text and custom shapes), would I simply overlay the top layer (the points and lines) onto the new graphic using a layer mode like "Normal"? Or is there a more elegant way to do it?
i look forward to hear from you again
greetings
saint_m