Underrated tools chart

anarkhya · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 10:04 am **(#1)**

Compilation of tips that have been said here: what tools you don't or rarely use?

BTW, credits to:
Draconian
K1TesseraEna
molly
Griatch

GnuTux · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 11:24 am **(#2)**

Thanks for this! I can't say as I've ever used the measure tool.

Wallace · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 12:30 pm **(#3)**

Tools that I've never used: :ink

A tool that I've rarely use: :airbrush

I also don't feel that there's any real need for me to remove these tools.

Oregonian · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 12:39 pm **(#4)**

I've used all of those tools and frequently use the Align tool to center. I have used the Measurement tool to get the dimensions of an object in an image occasionally. It's not something I use a lot but it was nice to have it when I needed it. :lol

Works better than trying to use a ruler on my screen.

There are none I'd like to see omitted. The Cage tool is kind of cranky and hard to work with but I expect it will be improved as time goes on.

anarkhya · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 4:15 pm **(#5)**

Actually, and this is why I made the chart, while the topic was talking about the tools we don't use it suddenly turns out to be: say how you use this tools that others don't. I found this very interesting as we all have more or less strong habits with software and even if we vaguely know what's the function of all tool, it's enlightening to hear about process and usage to rediscover those tools we abandoned.

he4rty · **Joined:** Aug 30, 2012 **Posts:** 2174

Good list,

I have used the shear tool in the past to create drawings in 30' and 45' , because you can draw flat then shear to the angles.

Align tool I use a lot especially the offsets.

Use the measure tool all the time for working out sizes and position and angles, Oh My!

anarkhya · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 6:32 pm **(#7)**

gramg wrote:

I am going to print it....well, maybe not...just take the picture...there is a lot of black and my ink would be gone.

/* beginning print friendly mode */ (:

K1TesseraEna · **Joined:** Sep 22, 2012 **Posts:** 2089 **Location:** US

Thanks for the chart, anarkhya!
I'm sure this is very useful even for experienced gimp users.
If something was made a tool, it was for a good reason.
The tool(s) being under our radars could be a result of out ignorance and not understanding what
those tool are meant for. Re-discovering and soldering them up to our workflow is priceless.

Back to the point.
Maybe the Alignment tool usability description should be corrected?
My example of the AT usage is one-sided and, I'm afraid, misrepresent the tool, making it sound
like AT is only useful for making animations. In fact, AT can be used for such a variety of tasks,
it's really can be called the most underrated tool.

Also, do you think it would be a good idea to link to the gimp doc page and/or a tutorial on these tools?

In case you find it a good idea.
The Alignment Tool
GIMP user manual
The Alignment tool - tutorial 1
The Alignment tool - tutorial 2

Thanks again, A!

Mokonafan · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 9:00 pm **(#9)**

I've never used most of the tools I do use dodge tool and airbrush once in a while but that's about it, good to know about the aline tool. LoL

lylejk · **Joined:** Sep 24, 2010 **Posts:** 12832

I've definitely never used the Ink tool; believe I tried the measure tool way back in the old days (like when GIMP 1.2x was king). lol

Still, it's not hurting me so leave things be.

2-ton · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 9:13 pm **(#11)**

I use the alignment tool a lot to center things on a layer. I have used the shear tool once in a while, as in some instances it seems easier to use than the perspective tool. I have never used the ink tool, but it looks rather interesting, especially to get an interesting outline...will try it soon!

anarkhya · **Posted:** Fri May 17, 2013 11:14 pm **(#12)**

K1TesseraEna wrote:

My example of the AT usage misrepresent the tool, making it sound
like AT is only useful for making animations. In fact, AT can be used for such a variety of tasks.

Also, do you think it would be a good idea to link to the gimp doc page and/or a tutorial on these tools?

Actually, I wanted to focus on the simplicity and, above all, immediate "live" usage of these tools, I mean what I found important is the "Me, I'm using this tool for" more than the usual tool features explanation provided by a documentation, hence if we add gimp docs into the mix then, you know, I'm afraid this chart will turn into a user manual, hence aiming at a different purpose.

I can relate on a similar issue I had with the tons of brushes you find on the web, it sounds cool when you download them but then you tend to quickly forget about them because you are not told how to use them, I realized that the instant I found someone who was providing brushes AND describing his usage for them (what you can draw with, which opacity, which pressure, jitter or not etc.).