This tutorial covers the basics off using the Scissor Select Tool in GIMP. After viewing the available tutorials and using this tool, hopefully I can add some new information to the community. And now on to the tutorial... The scissor tool is a combination of the Path Tool and the Magic Wand Tool. The ideal type of image for this tool has a clear outline with some colour or value changes that would create problems with the magic wand tool. The image of the penguin used in this example has both good and bad characteristics.
Start by selecting the scissors icon from the toolbar. The available options are Mode, Antialiasing, Feather edges and Interactive boundary. Mode - Replace the current selection. (Default ) - Add to the current selection. (Use for selecting multiple objects) - Subtract from the current selection. (Use for removing portions from selection) - Intersect with current selection. (Selects the common area of two selections.)Antialiasing - helps smooth the edges of the selection.Feather edges - blurs the border by the amount of the Radius selected.Interactive Boundary - displays the path that will used when the selected control node is moved.
Start your selection by left-clicking the mouse on the edge of the object. Continue adding control points along the outline. The line between the points shows the final path of the selection. You can move or add nodes to edit the selection path as you go. This will reduce the amount of adjustment needed later.
Finish the selection path by left-clicking on the first control node. The trick is to watch for the cursor to change from a plus sign to interlocking rings showing that the cursor is over the first control node. This seems to be the one step missing from most instructions on how to use this tool. You can now move control nodes to fine tune the selection.
Change your path to a selection by left-clicking inside the path. Watch your cursor, if the cursor shows a "Do not enter icon" it is not within the outline. Your path should now change to a selection.
You can now continue editing as you would with any other tool by cutting, copying or other actions. Experimenting and practice help to learn this tool. Learning this tool makes selection of objects smooth in most common situations.
Hopefully this tutorial was helpful. Feel free to send any feedback or questions.[Edited by Moderator on 9/12/2010 2:17:27 PM]