What is the Liquify Tool in GIMP?

Once you're familiar with the free software, GIMP is an incredible image program equal to the amazing-but-pricey Adobe Photoshop in all material respects regarding digital editing. Hence, becoming familiar with GIMP is extremely worthwhile, but perhaps challenging at times. Although similar, Photoshop and GIMP are not exact replicas of one another. Finding equivalent tools can be frustrating if you are learned in Photoshop and have since moved on to GIMP.

One popular tool in Photoshop is the Liquify tool. Although the tool's deforming capabilities can be used for a variety of tasks, its popularity likely stems from its ability to effectively replace diet and exercise in digital photos. With options such as moving, removing, and shrinking (as well as growing and swirling), it's no wonder how Liquify came to be practically synonymous with digital cosmetic surgery.

Yes, in other words, Liquify can help you trim 30 digital pounds before you could even locate your real-life gym pass. Shrinking fat, minimizing body area, digitally correcting and enhancing are just a few of the many, many uses of Liquify.

But before we get to the equivalent tool in GIMP, let me just clarify: for health reasons, there are better alternatives than the Liquify Tool. Replacing proper health, nutrition, and exercise with digital enhancements can be dangerous and addictive. I'm sure you know that, and I'm sure at this point you think it goes without saying. But once you've become sucked in, like I have, you might have trouble remembering this sound principle. Okay, now on to the wonders of Liquify!

In GIMP, the Liquify equivalent is called "IWarp." Why? I don't know. I could take a guess, but do you really care that much? Or do you just want to move forward in our instructions? I thought so.

After opening GIMP, the IWarp tool can be found by locating on the top toolbar the title "Filters." After clicking on that title, follow the first drop-down bar to the title "Distorts" and the additional drop-down bar to the title "IWarp." The IWarp tool box will appear on the screen showing your image along with IWarp tools on the right.

The default settings may or may not be optimal considering what you want to accomplish. Along with selecting a type of distortion (move, shrink, et cetera) you are also able to select the deform radius and deform amount which, respectively, default at 20 and .30. If you're not sure where to adjust those levels to, you might try experimenting a little and evaluating at that point.

A big job might look best using an enlarged radius and amount, whereas a minuter task would surely dictate maintaining the settings at a lower level. Play around. When things don't work out, just cancel the changes and try again. No harm done.

Don't forget, you can go too far with IWarp. There's a fine line between fit and anorexic; hopefully you'll be able to recognize it. Have fun and good luck!