Procedure 7.1. Drawing a Straight Line

1. Figure 7.35. A new image

   

   The dialog shows a new image, filled with a white background.

   
   

   Create a new image. Select your favorite painting tool or use the pencil, if in doubt. Select a foreground color, but be sure that the foreground and background colors are different.

2. Figure 7.36. The start of the straight line

   

   The dialog shows a new image, with the first dot which indicates the start of the straight line. The dot has a black foreground color.

   
   

   Create a starting point by clicking on the image display area with the left mouse button. Your canvas should look similar to Figure 7.35, “A new image”.

3. Figure 7.37. The helpline

   

   The screenshot shows the helpline, which indicates how the finished line will look.

   
   

   Now, hold down the Shift button on your keyboard and move the mouse away from the starting point you created. You'll see a thin line indicating how the line will look.

4. Figure 7.38. The line after the second click

   

   The line created appears in the image window after drawing the second point (or end point), while the Shift key is still pressed.

   
   

   If you're satisfied with the direction and length of the line, click the left mouse button again to finish the line. The GIMP displays a straight line now. If the line doesn't appear, check the foreground and background colors and be sure that you kept the Shift key pressed while painting. You can keep creating lines by continuing to hold the Shift key and creating additional end points.