GIMP -- The free alternative to Photoshop

[Armstead]

Here's a tip I discoveed for those who are itching to try their hand at Photoshopping but can't afford hundreds of bucks.

It's called GIMP and it's an Open Source free version of Photoshop. Well it's not exactly like Photoshop, but comes pretty darn close.

I discovered it and have been playing around with it, and doing some photo retouching for work. It can do a whole lot, once you get past the learning curve.

Just thought I'd pass it along for those with a hankering to try their hands at computer graphics.

You can find out about it, and download a copy here.

Gimp
http://www.gimp.org/

[Ohio Dem]

1. Cool.

I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[Elidor]

2. I've always wanted to try Gimp

The mathematics of images is basic and universal, and there's no reason why Photoshop alone should exploit that math. I still remember a photoshop-style product by Letraset - I think it was called Color Studio - that did many of the same things and had even more filter functionality at the time. This was way back around 1991 while Photoshop was still in version 2 release. No one has to shell out big money to get image editing tools anymore. I guess my love of Photoshop itself is simply a love of the interface it provides. (I've stuck with version 5 - I hate version 6 and won't even try version 7. Everything I need is at my fingers in version 5.)

[Best_man23]

3. Well, Bring Out the GIMP

Wonder if you could you assign a sound file to say the line from Pulp Fiction when you start this program?

[Paul1574]

11. you can.....

cant rem how right now but you can.....lol

[uberotto]

4. Another Useful link...

For anyone wanting to play around with GIMP.

http://gug.sunsite.dk/

it's the GIMP Users Group site and it has some very useful tutorials located there.

Also, for those who don't know, the GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) works on both Linux and Windows.

[SOteric]

5. Cool.

Some folks posted another free graphics program recently, irfanview. But it really is a very lightweight version of a graphics program; best mostly for resizing, creating thumbnails and changing gifs to jpgs, etc...

I take it this one's a tad more elaborate?

[Armstead]

6. Extremely more elaborate

Irfanview is a good image viewer but not much more.

Gimp is big time elaborate.

[Armstead]

7. P.S.

IN addition to the page above, there is a download page that is simpler to install, as an automatic setup program.

http://www2.arnes.si/~sopjsimo/gimp/

[dani]

8. I found a

"Quickstart" manual for GIMP at the public library. If you're new to GIMP you'll probably need something like that. There's probably a lot of tutorials on the web too. Some of the Photoshop ones are applicable.

[chenGOD]

9. GIMP is a very useful program for dabbling, and web page content creation.

Plus it's free, so that's a super duper bonus.

If you're a professional though, you'll be sad to note that it has no CMYK support. I really can't understand why the Gimp team hasn't put this feature in. Of course, I can't complain much, since I'm no coder.

So keep up the good work GIMP team!!!

[Best_man23]

10. Not Bad, For a Free Program

Would be good for most to have, and a cheaper alternative to Photoshop Essentials (around $100) and definitly the full blown Photoshop.

Hopefully, the GIMP team will soon incorporate CMYK support for those of us in the graphic art and publishing worlds.

[Paragon]

12. Ehhh...

Open-source is still a little too pie-in-the-sky for me...there IS something to be said for industry, when it's done the right way.

I tried Mozilla, but Opera's a hell of a lot friendlier. I suspect I'd be much happier spending a little money for PS Pro or Elements than putting up with "the Gimp".

Sorry.