I have just been told about GIMP and downloaded the program - but am struggling to get anything useful to happen. When I tried to engage with several GIMP forums I get a “make sure you are not a bot” screen with a small empty window but absolutely no clue what I am supposed to enter. Hence this email seeking some guidance as to how to get started. I have extensive experience with Photoshop and consider myself computer literate but cannot get anything useful - e.g. cannot select a background colour, cannot get text to display (let alone format it). I have checked out several helpful online videos but the version of the GIMP screen that apperars is quite different to the one I have downloaded. Cheers, Graeme Easte: graeme@pastfinder.co.nz
In most cases the “Make sure you are not a bot” these days has a small square you’re supposed to click in, check-box, that will get a tick-mark and let you proceed.
Make sure to search for tutorials on the GIMP version you have - most likely GIMP 3 - as GIMP was first released 30 years ago, and (like Photoshop!) has changed over time.
Background colour - click on the overlapping black and white rectangles under the toolbox, but click on the “underneath” one.
Text - choose the text tool from the toolbox, the tools menu, or by pressing t on the keyboard; drag out a rectangle on the image, and start typing.
Gimp went from v2.10 to v3.0 recently with a wide overhaul of the user interface (new support libraries) and new functionality that changed many things. So this makes all tutorials out there obsolete.
If necessary downloads of v2.10 are still available (latest was 2.10.38 IIRC).
Which version do you have? (Is there a version number?) Can you perhaps post a screenshot of the interface you get vs what you see in online videos?