Re: [Gimp-user] Quickest way to draw a red rectangle around a screenshot image

[Ofnuts <ofnuts laposte net>]

On 03/31/2014 04:23 PM, Keith Christian wrote:
> While I normally use GIMP on Linux, I installed Gimp for Windows 2.8.0
> on my Windows 7 machine at work some time ago.  I use GIMP a lot for
> screenshots and reducing those screenshots to gray scale to take up
> less space when I send a partial screenshot through email.
>
> Works great, however, I'd like some help in knowing the fastest route
> to enclosing parts of screenshots with a 2 - 3 pixel red transparent
> rectangle.  Sometimes I use Windows' "Snipping tool" to do this, or
> pasting into PowerPoint for annotation.....but, I'd rather do it all
> with the GIMP.  Web link or concise instructions will be appreciated.
>
> Adding an arrow or two, (and perhaps a text box) would be nice to know
> how to do also, if this is something that the GIMP is the right tool
> for.  It's definitely the right tool for screenshots!

1) For rectangle, just make a rectangle selection (with or without 
rounded corners) and then Edit>Stroke selection. This also works with an 
ellipse selection. Something I often do instead of the red outline is to 
invert the selection, and then de-saturate, de-contrast, dim, and blur 
slightly (2px) the rest of the screenshot. Another solution is to create 
a gradient which is mostly transparent except a bit of color at one end, 
and then use it to fill the selection with a shaped gradient.

2) For arrows, I create clean lines (straight ones or curves) with the 
Path tool, then run a script of mine to add arrow heads(*), and stroke 
the result.

(*) 
http://gimp-path-tools.sourceforge.net/decorations.shtml#path-arrow-heads