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Ok, we have opened the Layers window, and it looks like this:
Layers window
Lets click on the new layer button, and select the default 512 settings (defaults to the size of your drawing). The next thing we are going to do is delete the background layer. The reason for this, is that we are going to create a texture with a “hole” for a window in it. To do this, we need to use alpha channels, and this background can not be erased to transparency. So we’ll now use the first transparent layer as our background:
Trash the Background layer
Now, we will make sure that the new layer is highlighted and choose select all by right clicking on the image, and selecting from the pop up menu, Select then All:
Select All
Now that we have the whole picture area selected, we can fill it with a pre-made texture. Lets use the Gimp’s pattern tool to make a wall paper for our wall.
Fill with pattern
If you click on the bucket tool, you get the tool options on the lower left, choose Pattern Fill. If you click the pattern icon on the main Gimp menu, you can choose from among the patterns installed in your pattern file (see note below) For now, though, just use one of the patterns available.
(Note: Pattern fill is a great way to give your background a texture quickly, and you can create your own patterns using any method you like, make sure it’s tile-able, and save it in the gimp with a .pat extension, then save it in C:\Program Files\GIMP\share\gimp\1.2\patterns
Now you should be able to see the pattern on your palate after hitting the refresh button.)
Ok, now we need to start a window frame. We’re going to just make a big square of wood first. But rather than draw on top of what we already have, we are going to create another layer, and draw on that. That way mistakes are easily erased, but there is another reason for this, which you will soon see.
Next, right click on the picture, go to “Select”, and this time choose “None” If you don’t do this, and try to select a new area, you will merely move the layer around the surface of the picture. We don’t want to do that ;)
Take the selection tool that is square off the main Gimp window, click and drag it in the middle of the wall to the size of your liking, then use the bucket tool, with the Pattern Fill option selected, and a wood texture selected, and dump it in the selected area:
Start the window
Now, select in a similar fashion, inside this new rectangle, but leaving an edge to create the window frame. Then choose the eraser tool, double click on it, and choose the BIG circle with a plus sign, double click it, and make the circle bigger (faster erasing). Now erase the center of our window….. then change the focus of the layer to the wall paper, without changing the selection, and erase the wallpaper.
Window Frame
Now, we have a wall, with a window, and it has a “hole” where the glazing would be. It still looks flat, though, so we could put in some shadows to give it some depth.