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imagegimp

How to edit an image in Gimp when the target display has different horoiztonal and vertical resolution?

I want to make a wallpaper for this desktop, which has a resolution of 1024 x 384 enter image description here

When I create an image of this dimension in GIMP, it looks like it's half the height by comparison: enter image description here

It's difficult to create art at a different ratio to the target. How can I handle this in GIMP? (I'm told that in photoshop there is a menu option for this situation, so they look the same but still have the same dimensions but I don't know what it's called.)

Solution
    • Use Image ➤ Print size you can set a different vertical and horizontal resolution for the image (click the chain link to decouple them). You typically want an Y resolution which is half the X one, and best use a resolution which is close to your actual display, possibly 100PPI for X and 50PPI for Y).
    • Tell Gimp you want it to work using the print size: un-tick View ➤ Dot for dot

    Remember that Gimp still works with pixels, if you copy/paste a square from another image, it will be stretched vertically. Likewise a 1:1 aspect ration in the Rectangle and Ellipse selection tools will yield a vertically stretched selection. On the other hand if you create text with the text tool, it will look normal in "Print size" view, and stretched horizontally in "Dot for Dot" view.