How to draw arrows in GIMP in the simplest way.

The version of Okular being prepared by the KDE community will add new markup options. Among these options we will have the possibility of drawing arrows, something that is perfect for pointing out parts of a document or indicating that something is related to another part of it. Until recently, many users and I used the Shutter editor, but the screenshot program has been discontinued. On the other hand, we have Photoshop's free rival, but it doesn't come with certain default options. Then How to draw arrows in GIMP?

While waiting to test it, the future version of Okular that we have mentioned above will allow us to add arrows to images and other types of documents. The problem is that the KDE document viewer can perform few editing tasks, so it is not useful, for example, to add several icons in PNG format in the same image. If we want to have everything in the same application, we can add a script which will allow us to draw arrows in GIMP from with various shapes.

Drawing arrows in GIMP is possible by adding a script

The process is simple. You just have to follow these steps:

1. We download this file.
2. We unzip it.
3. We have to put that file in the GIMP add-ons folder. I could tell you where it is, but since there are different types of packages, it is best to look at where it is configured on your computer. To see the route, let's Edit / Preferences / Folders / Plugins.
4. If we had GIMP open, we restarted it.
5. The option will appear as "Arrow" in the Tools menu, but first we will have to show it the way. To do this, we will choose the routes tool. The drawing looks like it has a spray or bottle with a vertical line with three dots to the left.
6. We indicate a path.
7. Now, we choose the Tools / Arrow option.
8. There are many values ​​here that we can modify and this will depend on what each user prefers. The moment we click OK, the arrow will be drawn. Beyond the thickness of the lines, if the arrow has a closed head, etc., I think it is important to mention the two types of arrows that can be made, as you will see in the following video:
   • If we click, release and make a second click, it will make us a normal arrow.
   • If we click and drag, it will make us an arrow like that of a GPS navigator or compass. Keep in mind that if we want to draw this second arrow, we have to choose that the head is filled and the size has to be much larger than that of the normal arrow.

We can treat the arrow like any other layer

The arrow will be drawn on a new layer. This means that we can modify it like any other layer, which includes rotating it, resizing it, skewing it, and so on. We can also add effects, such as the shadow. My intention at first is to make markings, so I will rarely add any extra effects to it.

Another option: find arrows in PNG format without a background

Another option that could be much more aesthetic is to add an arrow that is already made. Yes we search in Google Images «arrow png» or «arrow png», to which we can add a color, dozens of arrows will appear in that format. Some of these arrows will have a white background, but most will just be the arrow. The idea is to simply drag the arrow into GIMP and modify its shape, size, and orientation. The main problem that I see with this method and the reason why I prefer to use the script "Arrow" is that adding an image will not be as fast as using a tool available from GIMP. Or not unless we leave it on the desk, something I will never do because I like to keep my desks clean.

What is your preferred system for drawing arrows in GIMP?