On Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 11:55 AM, Julian Bryson wrote:

I am new to GIMP and to this list, so please forgive me if I'm posting a question that has been asked a million times.  I can't seem to find a searchable archive for the list (if there is one, feel free to point me toward it for future questions).

There are a few sites that index this list and offer a search - gmane for example:
http://news.gmane.org/gmane.comp.video.gimp.user/

There are links to archive sites listed here: http://www.gimp.org/mail_lists.html

In short, how can I use GIMP to add blank space to a given photo so that it keeps the original data within the confines of a 4x6 (for example) aspect ratio?

I believe you are looking for Image->Canvas Size...  You may need to unlock the width/height from one another, but this should do what you want.

Yours in Pasta,
Chris

Quoting Julian Bryson :

In short, how can I use GIMP to add blank space to a given photo so that it keeps the original data within the confines of a 4x6 (for example) aspect ratio?

I recently wrote a script which should facilitate your task. The script will scale the active layer to fit within the selection -- or the image itself if there is no selection -- while maintaining the aspect ratio of the original layer.

If you download the file at the following location and save it to your .gimp-2.6/scripts folder, then the next time you open GIMP there will be a new command called "Fit to Selection" under your Layer Menu.

http://chiselapp.com/user/saulgoode/repository/script-fu/artifact/1798e8830fef11e639d5fe89eda4c0927d542d8c

You would use the script by opening your original (square) image, using "Image->Canvas Size" to set the image dimensions to 4"x6" (for example), and then perform "Layer->Fit to Selection".

More information is available at the following link:

http://chiselapp.com/user/saulgoode/repository/script-fu/wiki?name=sg-layer-fit-to-selection

Julian Bryson writes:

In short, how can I use GIMP to add blank space to a given photo so that it keeps the original data within the confines of a 4x6 (for example) aspect ratio?

If the original image is square it is simple:

Image > Canvas Size

Select units 'percent'

Unlink width and height by clicking on the 'chain' to the right

Adjust width to 150%

At Offset, select center.

If it looks okay, press Resize.

HTH, Johan