GIMP Version: 2.8
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

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Hello, new here and somewhat new to GIMP. I've been using it mainly to remove images from one photo and add to another. I learned the basics but yesterday when attempting this when I choose "from path">"invert" the entire outline of the complete picture is surrounded by "marching ants" and when I save/export to and open again I get the entire original picture, not the selection I want. It wasn't like this before and no matter how many times I try I cannot correct it. Any help on what's wrong?

Thanks, Ted

I'm pretty sure that you have to remove the selection from your image and past it to a different layer. if you added an alpha channel to the image, then invert the selection. You can clear/delete the surrounding area around your selection. You can also removed the selection without inverting it and paste it into it's own layer and save it as a PNG image file.
Then you can open it in gimp and it will have transparency.
Or you could save it as an XCF file and add whatever background you want to it latter.

You must first make a selection using any of the selection tools available. If you "invert" any selection that you've made, then everything outside the selection will be effected.
If you haven't made any type of selection and then "invert" the image... the entire outline of the complete picture will be surrounded by "marching ants", when you save/export and open it again. You will get the entire original picture, because you haven't made any form of selection to invert.
Even if you make a selection of part of an image then do nothing to effect this selection and then save this image it will save the entire image, because nothing was done with your selection to effect the original image.

Welcome to Gimp Chat
The way I tackle this kind of thing is as follows

Open your background photo (Photo 1) and open as layers the photo that you want to cut out (Photo 2).
In your layers dialogue right-click the Photo 2 layer and choose Add Alpha Channel. (This enables transparency)



Select your free select tool and in tool options check the feather edges box and set the radius to 3 for better antialiasing



Use your free select tool to plot points just inside the object you want to cut out and around the background and cut away the background a piece at a time.



Your work should be saved as .xcf until it is finished. This will preserve any layers, selections, paths etc you are using.

@ Erisian...

I use my wacom pen-tablet when Gimping. I can create really detailed selection using the "free-select" tool this way.