LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] Set up initial gimp (2.6) drawing

Thanks Thor, last night I found a couple of sites and with what you provided I came up with a REAL DUMMIES guide for myself. I tried to verify everything but may have introduced errors when writing. If anyone finds an error or something is unclear, please let me know.
Code:
SET UP

------

1) Open GIMP.

  If there is an image file to use as a template for drawing:

        SELECT "Open" from the "File" menu.

        LOCATE that image file.

        SELECT "Open" from the "Open Image" dialog.

  If drawing without an image:

        SELECT "New" from the "File" menu to create a new image.



2) If there is a image file:

        PRESS CTRL-L, brings up the Layers panel.

        CLICK "Background" layer the Layers panel.

  To make the base image semi-transparent and allow the bottom

    layer to be seen when drawing on above layer(s):

        Enter "50" in the "Opacity" text field

        CLICK on the "Lock" check box to prevent accidentally

          drawing on this layer.



3) To open the New Layer dialog box:

        PRESS "Shift-Ctrl-N" on the keyboard

          (alternatively CLICK Layer > New Layer in the GIMP dialog).

        Type "Draw-1" in the "Layer Name" field.

        SELECT "Transparency"

        CLICK "OK."



4) To zoom into the image as needed:

        CLICK the "Zoom" menu at the bottom of the image window.



USING PAINTBRUSH

----------------

1) From the Toolbox:

        SELECT the "Paintbrush Tool"

  To create a thin line:

        ENTER "3" next to "Circle" by "Brush" in Paintbrush panel

        The number indicates the diameter in pixels (3 here).



2) Test brush width by dragging a short stroke  across the canvas.

  Compare its width to the background image features.

        SELECT a larger/smaller brush width as needed.



3) Draw the lines of artwork using the mouse.

  Need not trace the original artwork, but use the background image

    as a guide for a new drawing.



4) To draw straight lines:

        CLICK the left mouse button at the start of a line.

        PRESS & HOLD SHIFT key while moving the mouse to end point.

          (a dashed line will appear between the start point and each

          new mouse position)

        RELEASE SHIFT key and the line will be drawn.

  or

        CLICK left mouse button at the start of a line.

        MOVE mouse to next point.

        PRESS SHIFT KEY  (dashed line appears)

        CLICK left mouse button to create the line.



5) To undo a brush stroke as needed.

        PRESS "Ctrl-Z" once for each older stroke



USING PATHS TOOL

----------------

1) From the Toolbox:

        SELECT the "Paths Tool"

  To create a starting anchor point:

        CLICK the mouse at the start point for a new line.

  To create successive anchor points:

        CLICK again at points along the line and successive anchor

          point appear, with a line connecting successive points.



2) To move anchor locations:

        CLICK & DRAG an anchor point.

        The connecting lines will adjust themselves accordingly.

  To bend the line:

        CLICK & DRAG the line between anchor points to bend the line.



3) To close the path:

        PRESS "Enter"  (Don't press "Enter" until completing path)

        The successive points between the first and last points will

          be connected by a dashed line.



4) To create the final line:

        CLICK the "Edit" menu

        SELECT "Stroke Path"  (line will be created over path drawn.)

5) To open "Choose Stroke Style":

      SELECT "Stroke Selection" from the Edit Menu

      TYPE  line width in the text field.

      CLICK the "Stroke" button and the stroke will be applied to

        the line on the path.



6) To draw on another layer:

      CLICK "New Layer" in the "Layer" menu.

      Begin drawing another path.



  NOTE: applying a stroke to the path on any layer, all paths on

        that layer will be transformed to the new stroke.



DRAWING SHAPES

--------------

1) Add a new layer to the drawing from the "Layer" menu.

        CLICK the "Rectangle Select Tool" for rectangular or

              the "Ellipse Select Tool" for circular shapes.

        Drag the tool over the canvas to create the shape.



2) To draw strokes:

        CLICK the "Edit" menu, and then "Stroke Selection."

        ENTER value in the "Stroke Line" field.

        This value is in pixels, use a value similar to what was

          used for brush tool i.e. 3 pixels.

        CLICK "Stroke."



3) To create a copy of a shape on a layer:

        SELECT a "SELECT" tool from Toolbox Menu

        ENCOMPASS the object to be copied

        SELECT "COPY" from "EDIT" menu

        CLICK & DRAG the copy area to a new location

        SELECT "PASTE" from "EDIT" menu



4) To translate or transform an image

        SELECT a "SELECT" tool from Toolbox Menu

        SELECT image to change shape (encompass it with select tool)

        SELECT IMAGE > TRANSFORM from GIMP Dialog

        SELECT one of the Rotation options

  Rotate panel opens:

        ENTER "Angle" (if arbitrary angle selected)

        ENTER (optional) X,Y position

        CLICK "Rotate"



5) To get rid of dashed lines surrounding selected images:

        CLICK in unbounded area of layer until last boundary removed



SAVE OR REMOVE LAYER

--------------------

1) To remove any Layer:

        CLICK the Layer in the "Layers" Panel (CTRL-L).

        CLICK "Delete Layer" in the "Layers" Panel.



2) To save any Layer:

        CLICK the Layer in the "Layers" Panel (CTRL-L).

        CLICK on one of the 4 "SAVE" options in the "EDIT" Menu.