How to Swap Faces in GIMP: A Step-by-Step Guide

 

Swapping faces in GIMP is a fun and creative way to blend images for various purposes, from creating humorous edits to achieving more artistic compositions. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of swapping faces using GIMP, a powerful and free image editing software. We'll guide you step by step, ensuring you can follow along easily, even if you're new to GIMP.

Step 1: Prepare Your Images

First, gather the images you want to use. Make sure the faces you plan to swap have a similar angle and lighting to achieve a more natural result. For this tutorial, we'll use two images, which you can download from the links provided.

1. Open the First Image: Start by opening the first image in GIMP.
2. Open the Second Image: Drag the second image into GIMP as a new layer.

Step 2: Position the Second Image

With both images loaded, it's time to position the second image over the first.

1. Select the Move Tool: Use the Move Tool to position the second image where you want it on the first image.
2. Add an Alpha Channel: Right-click on the second image's layer and select "Add Alpha Channel." This allows for transparency in the image.
3. Adjust the Layer Size: Right-click again and choose "Layer to Image Size" to match the layer's size to the image size.

Step 3: Select the Face

Next, we’ll select the face from the second image to swap it with the first.

1. Use the Free Select Tool: Select the Free Select Tool from the toolbox.
2. Zoom In: Press the + key on your keyboard to zoom in for a more precise selection.
3. Outline the Face: Carefully outline the face of the person in the second image.
4. Press Enter: Once the selection is complete, press Enter to finalize the selection.
5. Invert the Selection: Go to Select > Invert to invert the selection, so everything except the face is selected.
6. Delete the Background: Press the Delete key to remove the background, leaving only the selected face.
7. Deselect: Go to Select > None to remove the selection.

Step 4: Resize and Position the Face

Now that the face is isolated, it’s time to resize and position it over the face in the first image.

1. Lower the Opacity: Lower the opacity of the face layer to align it accurately with the underlying face.
2. Use the Scale Tool: Select the Scale Tool to resize the face. Hold the Ctrl key to scale proportionally and match the size of the face in the first image.
3. Position the Face: Use the Move Tool again to position the face correctly over the original face.

Step 5: Blend the Faces

To make the face swap look seamless, we’ll blend the edges and adjust the layers.

1. Use the Eraser Tool: Select the Eraser Tool, reduce the hardness and force to around 50%, and carefully erase parts of the face that don’t match the original image.
2. Apply G'MIC Filters: Go to Filters > G'MIC and navigate to the Layers section. Scroll down and select "Blend [seamless]."
3. Adjust the Settings: You can adjust the inner fading and outer fading settings to blend the face more naturally. Once satisfied, press OK to apply the changes.

Step 6: Fine-Tune the Details

For the final touch, we’ll refine any details to ensure the face swap looks natural.

1. Zoom In: Press the + key to zoom in on the face.
2. Adjust the Lips: If needed, add a layer mask to the G'MIC layer and use the Brush Tool to carefully paint black on the mask to reveal parts of the original image, like the lips, for better blending.
3. Zoom Out: Press the - key to zoom out and review the overall effect.

Step 7: Finalize the Image

Once you’re happy with the face swap, it’s time to finalize the image.

1. Merge the Layers: Right-click on the face layer and select "Merge Down" to combine it with the main image.
2. Review the Before and After: Toggle the visibility of the layers to compare the before and after images.
3. Save Your Work: Save the final image in your desired format.

Watch the Tutorial

For a more detailed walkthrough, check out our YouTube video below. This video provides a visual guide to Convert Images to Outlines in GIMP.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You’ve successfully swapped faces in GIMP. This technique can be used for a variety of creative projects, from fun social media posts to more serious photo editing tasks. With practice, you’ll be able to achieve even more realistic and seamless results.

Man Image Link : Click Me

Women Image Link : Click Me

Download GIMP : Click Me

Download G'MIC : Click Me
 

Thanks for following along! Have a great day, and see you next time for more GIMP tutorials.