To change the background color in GIMP, you typically fill a layer or selection with the currently set background color.
Changing the "background color" in GIMP usually refers to applying the currently selected background color swatch from the GIMP toolbox to a specific area, often an entire layer or a selected portion of it.
Here are the primary methods to fill an area with the background color in GIMP:
1. Using the Edit Menu
GIMP provides a direct command to fill the active layer or selection with the background color defined in your toolbox.
- Access: You can access this command from the image menubar through Edit → Fill with BG Color.
This action will immediately replace the pixels in the active layer or selection with the color currently displayed in the "Background color" swatch of your GIMP toolbox.
2. Using the Keyboard Shortcut
For quicker access, a keyboard shortcut is available for the same command.
- Shortcut: Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+ . (Control key plus the period key).
Pressing this key combination will also fill the active layer or selection with the current background color.
How to Set the Background Color
Before using the "Fill with BG Color" command, you need to set the desired color in the GIMP toolbox.
- Locate Swatches: In the GIMP toolbox, find the foreground and background color swatches (usually two overlapping squares).
- Select Background: Click on the background color swatch (the rear square).
- Choose Color: The GIMP color picker dialog will appear. Select the color you want to use as your background color.
- Confirm: Click "OK" in the color picker. The background color swatch in the toolbox will update.
Now, when you use Edit → Fill with BG Color or Ctrl+ ., it will use this newly selected color.
Summary of Methods
Here's a quick look at the methods:
| Method | Steps | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Edit Menu | Navigate to Edit → Fill with BG Color |
N/A |
| Keyboard | Press the shortcut key combination | Ctrl+. |
Practical Considerations
- Layers: The "Fill with BG Color" command applies to the active layer or any active selection within that layer. If you want to change the background of an image, ensure you have the correct layer selected, or consider adding a new layer at the bottom of your layer stack and filling that.
- Transparency: If your layer has transparency, filling it will replace the transparent areas within the selection/layer boundaries with the background color.
- Canvas Background: Note that GIMP's "background color" typically refers to the fill color, not the checkered transparency background of the canvas itself (unless you specifically add and fill a layer).
By setting your desired background color in the toolbox and then using the Edit → Fill with BG Color command or the Ctrl+ . shortcut, you can easily change the background of a layer or selection in GIMP.
