How to make a selection using Paths Tool in Gimp

Paths are a great way to make precise object selections and I suggest you learn how to use them, it's easier than you might think.

Open a picture of a random object you want to select.

I've chosen a banana, as its simple shape is perfect to learn how to use paths on.

Choose the Paths Tool.

And click the starting point of your selection.

I recommend you to start at a beginning of a curve.

Now click and hold the second point of your selection ...

Where the first curve ends, in my case somewhere near the middle of a banana.

... while still holding the mouse button, drag your mouse to adjust the curve.

As you noticed, two handles appeared. Used them to adjust your curve so it fits the object. Just drag them around and observe the curve, it takes a bit of practice at the beginning, but I'm sure you will get the hang of it pretty quick.

Now go further up or down your object and keep adjusting the curves using handles.

If you can't adjust the curve quite perfectly, you can always go back and click the previous point so the handles appear and try to adjust you curve from that point.

Again it takes a bit of practice you might find yourself going back and forth the points to achieve that perfect fit.

Use the handles to adjust your curves.

If you went went back, meaning you clicked the existing points to adjust your path, then click the last existing point ...

... and then continue creating new points to keep your path running.

To close the path in GIMP, you need to press and hold Ctrl key and click your starting point.

If you notice any imperfections, and you can't correct the curve using the existing points, then press Ctrl key and click to add a new point (see picture).

Now you can move the new point and use handles to create a perfect fit.

All we have to do now, is to click Selection from Path button ...

... and your paths turns into a selection.

You can copy and paste it to a new layer or do what ever else you want to do with your selection.

Hope you understood the basic Paths Tool usage. When I learned how to use it, a whole new world of GIMP opened for me. If you need some extra help, just click the Comments and write on Forum.