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How to Use Gimp to Remove Green Screen

James Hogan
James Hogan Originally published Aug 05, 24, updated Nov 04, 24

Green screens are not only limited to video creation. Although it’s the most popular application, you can also use green screens in photo editing and bring your images to another level. With your creativity, you can change photo backgrounds and make countless ideas for special events like birthdays, posters for promo materials, clips for school presentations, or just something to have fun with.

Photo editing doesn’t always have to be complicated, especially with the right tools. In this article, learn how to use Gimp for green screen photo editing. Discover how it can make your ideas come alive, and find out alternative tools you can look at.

In this article
  1. Use Chroma Key in Gimp to Add or Remove Green Screen in Photo
  2. Gimp Alternatives for Green Screen Removal
  3. Bonus Tip: How to Remove Green Screen Effect in Videos

Part 1. Use Chroma Key in Gimp to Add or Remove Green Screen in Photo

gimp website

Investing in an editing software can be costly. It might be challenging if you're budget-conscious or a beginner editor looking for cheaper options. Introducing GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) - an open-source free tool for image editing, graphic design, and artwork creation. Unlike other free tools, GIMP has advanced tools, graphics design elements, and a rich editing library for designers and artists to play around. In summary, here are the reasons why GIMP is an ideal choice for this purpose:

  • 100% free tool with an open-source platform
  • Sophisticated editing tools (complete with tools for basic editing, layering, brushes, design elements)
  • Extensive library with artistic elements for both photo editors and artists
  • Compatible with multiple platforms from Windows, Mac, Linux

As an image editor, you can use GIMP for green screen removal and replace your background with a more creative choice, among other editing tasks. Download GIMP's latest version to start by heading over to their website. Learn how to use the chroma key in GIMP by following the steps below:

  • Step 1: With the GIMP tool open, import your media file by going to File and then Open. Select your photo with a green screen and your background photo.
  • gimp import media
  • Step 2: Go to Layer, right-click on your layer, and select Add Alpha Channel. This is a critical step to effectively remove the green screen.
  • gimp alpha channel
  • Step 3: This time, head to your toolbar and find the Select Toolbar icon. Click and hold your cursor on it for a few seconds until you can see and click the Foreground Select Tool. This tool will allow you to select the area in your foreground.
  • gimp foreground select tool
  • Step 4: Use the Foreground Select Tool around your subject. Make sure that your starting point and end point connect. Once done, press Enter. This will turn everything in blue.
  • gimp foreground photo
  • Step 5: For this next step, go over your subject with your brush and color on its surface using the same tool. You can adjust your brush color and size according to your preference. This will take in all the colors in your subject. Ensure you brush over all colors in your subject, from skin tone to clothing, headwear, etc. Once done, let go of the brush and press Enter.
  • gimp computing alpha channel
  • Step 6: At this point, GIMP will do the rest of the job. It may take time though but once done it has now separated your subject from the background. From here, click on the Rectangle Select tool in your toolbar, which will automatically put dotted lines all over your subject. Then, go to Select and choose Invert.
  • gimp rectangle select tool
  • Step 7: From here, press Delete in your keyboard and see your background effectively removed.
  • gimp inverse tool
  • Step 8: To add a new background, get your background photo and put it over this one. Move your original layer up so you can place your subject on the front.
  • Part 2. Gimp Alternatives for Green Screen Removal

    While GIMP is a fantastic tool, it can still have its limitations. For one, it’s not a basic editing tool. A beginner will take a longer learning curve to familiarize oneself with the platform. While it has an extensive editing library, it can still have limited effects, filters, and text editing features. As it’s not a widely-known tool, it may be challenging to integrate it with other more popular tools like Adobe Photoshop. For those reasons, you may look for alternatives with the same capability. Additionally, while you can use GIMP to remove the green screen, here are other tools that can effectively do the same.

    Adobe Photoshop

    adobe photoshop website

    Photoshop is one the most popular and go-to photo editing software. It has become a household name for graphic designers, illustrators, and artists. A working knowledge of Photoshop provides a great advantage to anyone involved in the digital design area. While it has a lot of competitors in the market, it still remains to be an industry standard among others. Like GIMP, green screen removal is also possible with Photoshop, including other simple and advanced photo editing techniques.

    Key Features:

    • Cutting-edge editing features such as layers, adjustment layers, healing brush, color balance, curves, clone stamp tool, blending modes.
    • Ability to edit different image formats from PNG, JPG, TIFF, RAW, PSD, PDF, and more.
    • Seamless integration with other Adobe products like Adobe Illustrator

    Limitations:

    • Steep learning curve for beginners
    • Subscription-based pricing model which can be expensive for individual users
    • High-system requirements, which may be limiting for users with lower-end computers

    Picsart

    picsart online green screen remover for images

    Piscart is an online photo editing and digital creation platform. You can edit photos, remove backgrounds, convert photo to cartoon, and apply various photo effects. It also has many templates for social media, marketing collaterals, posters, flyers, and other promotional materials. It also has AI-powered tools to perform different photo editing techniques, such as the AI Image Generator, AI Logo Maker, and AI GIF Generator, to name a few.

    Key Features:

    • No installation is required as the tool can be accessed through an online browser
    • High-quality and trendy photo filters, template designs, and other unique resources
    • Intuitive AI tools for easy and convenient photo editing experience

    Limitations:

    • While it has many features, most are not as advanced as other tools like Photoshop
    • Limited cloud storage of 100MB for its free plan

    Remove.bg

    remove bg remove image background

    Removebg is another alternative to remove the green screen or any other image background. It’s straightforward to use, which is perfect for beginners. You can directly upload your photo from your browser and instantly see the background removed. Aside from that, you can try other effects like blurring the background, erasing other elements in your photo, and creating a design in Canva from your image.

    Key Features:

    • Instant background removal from image upload with no other additional step to go through
    • Ability to select particular objects in your photo for removal
    • Seamless integration to Canva, which is convenient for designers

    Limitations:

    • Only supports JPG and PNG file formats up to 22MB
    • Limited resolution handling of up to 50 megapixels only, which is not ideal for edits requiring higher image resolution.
    • Doesn’t have other editing capabilities and is only capable of background removal

    Part 3. [Bonus Guide] How to Remove Green Screen Effect in Videos

    filmora website
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    Get Started For Free

    If you’re curious about how to remove green screens in videos, here’s a bonus section for you. Like GIMP’s green screen removal in videos is easy using the right tool. This example will use Wondershare Filmora- a powerful editing software. It has a complete and rich editing library equipped with advanced tools to ensure you get your creativity across your video projects with ease. Aside from that, you can also find an extensive portfolio of stock resources, from photos, videos, audio tracks, video effects, transitions, and more.

    Here's a quick guide on how to remove green screens in videos using Filmora’s green screen remover:

  • Step 1: Import your media file by clicking on Import File and select your video with green screen. Drag your video to the timeline to start.
  • filmora import media file
  • Step 2: Go to AI Tools on the right side of your screen, then enable the Chroma Key tool. This will instantly remove green screen in your video. You can adjust the chroma key setting through the Offset, Edge Thickness, Edge Feather sliders.
  • filmora chroma key

    Aside from that, you can use other Filmora tools to enhance your video. You can also explore Stock Media and find stunning background images. Drag it over to the timeline and immediately replace your background.

    Conclusion:

    With green screens, you make countless creative edits to your photos. You can try it for your next office event, marketing, or any design idea for fun. Using GIMP’s free platform, you don’t need to spend a single dime while still maximizing the benefits of a sophisticated photo editor. Alternatively, you can also use other tools like Photoshop, Removebg, or Picsart, aside from GIMP green screen removal. For video editing, use Filmora to remove green screens from videos and create stunning video projects.

    Get Started For Free
    Get Started For Free

    FAQ

    • Can I use other colors instead of green?
      Aside from green, some people use the color blue instead. However, green is most effective as it’s the color least found in human skin tones.
    • What other tools can I use, aside from Gimp, to remove green screen?
      As mentioned above, there are a lot of tools aside from GIMP for green screen removal. Try Adobe Photoshop, Picsart, Removebg, or Canva’s background remover tool.
    • Can I remove green screen using a mobile app?
      Most tools have mobile apps with the same capabilities as their desktop or online version. Some examples are Filmora or Fotor. You can also access other online tools on your mobile via your browser.
    James Hogan
    James Hogan Nov 04, 24
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