The GIMP / Discussions

GIMP has a dodge and burn tool but the problem is that it alters the pixels instead of being completely deletable or reversable. I was watching an episode of the "Meet the GIMP" and saw this neat trick:

1. Create a new layer
2. Fill it with 50% grey
3. Set the layer to 'Overlay'

At this stage that layer has zero effect on the image.

To have an effect:
1. Select the Paintbrush tool
2. Set the opacity of the tool to about 10%
3. To make parts darker (ie burn) paint the grey layer using the black
4. To make it lighter (dodge) paint with the white.

PS. A shortcut to swap foreground and background colours is the 'x' key.