How to Use Scissors in Gimp

Last Updated: May 16, 2019

GIMP is a free photo editing software that can be downloaded at gimp.org. The intelligent scissors in GIMP are used as a select tool that is faster than using the paths tool. The lines will curve to create a selection.

Steps

1
Make sure you are on the intelligent scissors tool. They look like a pair of scissors.
2
Make sure you are on the layer you wish to make a selection in. To do this, simply click on that layer in the layers and channels box.

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3
Click to create a starting point (or anchor) of the thing you want to select. Click around the object you want to select. Notice that the lines curve and zigzag sometimes to get the correct selection.
4
Once you have gone around the object, put the mouse on on the first point created. An infinity sign should come up (looks like a sideways "eight"). Click on this point to complete the selection.
5
After this is done, put your mouse inside the selection. An image of a dotted circle should show up. Click inside the circle to create the selection.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I delete the selected area?

Community Answer

All you have to do it hit the delete button. It is that simple.
Question

Where is the 'Delete' button?

Community Answer

Usually you'll find one on your keyboard, above the backspace key. You can also do CTRL-X to cut the selected area, effectively removing it from the image.