File New will create a new Gimp image in either RGB (color) or Grayscale mode. You can't create an Indexed image since you will not know which colors your palette should have. Besides, working in Indexed mode is not a good choice instead work in RGB and convert to Indexed just before saving the image.

How to create a new image:

Set the resolution:

The resolution is how many pixels per length unit you what your image to built up with. The default 72ppi (72 pixels/inch) is good if you want to create web graphics (you can alter the default value in the preferences dialog). However if you going to print your image you will probably need a lot more than 72ppi.
You have several choices about how you want to measure the resolution pixels per inch, mm, points or picas (there is also an option which will bring up a dialog with even more choices). We suggest that you stick to ppi since that the most common format when you are dealing with images.
You can have different X and Y resolutions by unchecking the chain but that is not recommended.

Set the size:

You have two options either you can set it directly in pixels in the top frame or in a real world unit in the middle frame. If you are working with web graphics we suggest that you deal with pixels directly. If you going to print your image then setting in a real world unit is the preferred.

Set the mode/type of image:

Set the mode to either RGB or Grayscale

Set fill type:

Foreground takes the currently active foreground color from the toolbox
Background take the currently active background color from the toolbox
White sets the fill color to white no matter what the toolbox color is
Transparent prevents the image from filling instead you will get a totally "empty" image to start with.

The Reset button resets all values their default values. OK creates a new image.

Index