Making A Jigsaw Puzzle Using Gimp

By Author: Razvan Jr
Total Articles: 36
Comment this article

If you want to turn an image into a jigsaw puzzle or if you need individual jigsaw pieces, you can do this very easy by using GIMP. You will have to download and install the program - it is free of charge.

First of all, create the target image that you would like to use for your jigsaw pieces and open it with the program. Next, figure out the desired pixel height and width of your image. You can do this very easily by selecting the IMAGE tab, and after that, the IMAGE PROPERTIES option. Now, create a new, blank image that has the exact dimensions. In order to do this, click on the FILE tab and after that choose NEW. Next, type in the pixel height and width of your image.

The jigsaw puzzle has to be made on the newly created, plain background. You can do this by clicking on the FILTERS tab located above your blank image, and after that select: RENDER > PATTERN > JIGSAW. Now it is time to adjust the options shown in order to fit your desired amount of pieces (select 1-20 rows and columns), piece shape (curved or square), bevel width. After doing so, save the image.

It is now the time to add your target image ...
... as a layer to the base of the jigsaw and for doing so, you must select the FILE tab, and click on OPEN AS LAYER and pick out your target image. If you take a closer look at this new image you will notice that at the top it now has two layers. You will have to toggle between them. In order to do so, you have to open up the layers dialog and click on the DIALOG tab and then click on LAYERS.

You will have to select the puzzle layer and switch the target image layer off for now. In order to accomplish this, click on the “eye” next to the target image to set it as invisible. Next up, while you are still in the layers dialog box, you will have to click on the puzzle base layer, highlighting it. Now you are ready to edit the puzzle base layer.

You will have to select your “fuzzy select tool”, which you will find on the main tools panel. It resembles to a magic wand that has a yellow tip. Click on it in order to activate it. You must now click one of the puzzle pieces on the main base and one of the individual pieces should be now highlighted. Set the base image back to visible by clicking the eye in the layers dialog box. To select it, click on the target image. Now you should see the puzzle piece outline on your target image.

Next, select EDIT > CUT, in order to cut a jigsaw shaped piece out of the target image. Create a new window by clicking on FILE > NEW and paste (EDIT > PASTE) the jigsaw piece image into that new window. You will have to repeat this process for the rest of the puzzle pieces.

About Author: Obtain canvas prints Ireland services by visiting us at www.vividstories.ie - your online resource for professionally-made personalised jigsaw Ireland products. For more information about Vivid Stories, visit us at 1 The Downings, Prosperous, County Kildare, Ireland or give us a call at 0876-818-043.