Creating line that looks like a hose in GIMP

Question

I'm new to gimp and need to create many diagrams in gimp. I would like a quick way to draw a line that looks like a hose/pipe between pieces of equipment. It doesn't have to be perfect but quick to do and recognizable as a pipe/hose. The method I used to draw this was in QGIS, but it is very time consuming and memory intensive.

Example below:

Answer 1

You can use paths:

and just do Edit > Stroke path in Line mode

For a slightly more realistic look, you can use a brush.

Create an image with

• A crescent on transparent background (about the size of your wider pipes or larger, here 50x50px)
• Filled with a bi-linear gradient between a color and a slightly darker version of that color
• You can make a circle selection, fill it, and then delete a half circle, or make a crescent selection (select circle and then subtract half-circle)

• Then copy the image to the clipboard (Select > All, Edit > Copy), open the paint tool and set these options:

  • Brush: Clipboard image
  • Size: as required
  • Spacing: something small (1,2...)
  • Brush dynamics: Track direction

Then use Edit > Stroke path in Paint tool mode and select the Paintbrush and Emulate paint dynamics.

You can save your brush image as a plain Gimp brush for later use if interested, and it will be added to the brushes list.

For the record there is also a script that can draw a bilinear gradient along a path a gives a cleaner result:

Ask in comments if interested.

To use the plugin:

1. Create a path...
2. Set the current gradient to something light to dark, for instance, I created the gradient ❶ using the FG to BG (RGB) gradient, and then setting the FG ❷ and BG colors ❸.

3. Call the script form the Paths list, right click you path and Decorate > Gradient long path towards the bottom

Then mostly set the width in the dialog: