Anyone Here Using GIMP?

[Albertese]

Hey Guys!

I'm thinking about putting my corporate buccaneering days behind me. A few months ago my computer crashed and I've recently built a new one. Now I need photo editing software. I am nearly out of time on my trial version of Photoshop CS5. It's awesome, but I'm not sure if I really need all the awesome it supports. Before I take my chances with the law and liberate another copy of PS, I was thinking about GIMP. I might download it and give it a try. I was wondering if anyone is using it. If you are, let me know how you like it. And how does it compare to Photoshop, which is what I've been used to for many years now.

--Alex

 

[ares93]

Hmm... I haven't done fan art but i do a lot of photo editing. And to tell you the truth, I'm not a big fan of gimp. Dont get me wrong, its pretty good for being free. But you'd end up better with photoshop or paint shop pro. (I have only recently begun using PSP but i like it. Straight forward and no nonsense kinda software.)

BTW just FYI. i use Aperture 2, PS CS2 and i've just gotten PS CS5 Master.

 

[B.J.]

I've used GIMP for years now, seeing as I am strictly a hobbyist and didn't want to pay out the money for Photoshop. It has its ups and downs (what program doesn't?), but it does what I need it to do. I can't really compare it Photoshop since I've never used it, but I'm pretty sure most of the basic functionality is the same. Some of the more advanced functions like layer styles or built-in filters (if you used them) you might miss, but there's usually some way to do the same thing with a couple of extra steps.

Most of the artwork shown in the gallery in my signature was done with GIMP and/or Inkscape (which is a free open-source alternative to Illustrator).

 

[Ziz]

Another one you might want to investigate is Paint.net. Their forums have all kinds of free plug-ins to make it do custom tricks (or just do existing tricks better), one of which adds PS file compatibility.

 

[Psion]

I paid for and used Photoshop CS1 years ago. It was a competent piece of software that could do whatever I needed it to do. It did have a particularly weird method of handling alpha transparencies that was annoyingly cumbersome.

About two years ago, I built a system around 64-bit Linux after my previous laptop-on-steroids died. I thought that was a good time to abandon Windows and see how far I could get with open source software. As a hobbyist who sometimes does semi-professional jobs for work and the occasional client, I've been very happy. GIMP, InkScape, and Blender are the core of my graphics tools. GIMP, while lacking some esoteric functions, is more than a match for my day-to-day web needs, and it's much more intuitive with alpha maps.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I must confess my experience is pretty limited (did some colouring of my own inks in my old days, and some photo-manipulations more recently), but I always found GIMP perfectly serviceable.

 

[Albertese]

Okay, So I just downloaded GIMP and I'm trying to give it a chance. I dunno about this. Seems like my Wacom tablet doesn't work with it. That's a BIG negative for me. And I'm not sure I get how the selection works. Hmm.... I might just have to save up and buy a proper license for Photoshop. I think I can save the cash I'll need in a year or so...

--Alex

 

[B.J.]

Your Wacom *should* work just fine with it. Mine does.

 

[blssdwlf]

What about the less expensive PS Elements? I suppose if you do alot of image manipulation then PS CS5 is the way to go. But if you do just mostly RAW->Jpeg processing with light image touch up then you might not need all that extra PS horsepower. What do you plan to do with your software?

 

[Albertese]

I can move the pointer with the pen on the Wacom board, but when I tap the stylus to make something happen.... nothing happens.

What do I use it for? Some image manipulation, like cleaning up photos and that sort of thing. Digital compositing. But mostly for so-called "image authoring" like making paintings, graphical schematic type stuff, and designing graphics for custom decals for models. Also I'm sort of an amateur wannbe game designer so I use it for designing cards.

Does Elements do that sort of thing?

--Alex

 

[B.J.]

Wish I could help you more with getting GIMP to work with your tablet better, but it's been a long time since I messed with the setup. Did you look in Edit->Preferences->Input devices->Configure Extended input devices? Beyond that, I dunno.

 

[Albertese]

Thanks for the suggestion B.J., but no dice. That menu doesn't even seem to acknowledge the existence of the Wacom board at all. I guess I'll try to Google it or something. any one know of a good GIMP forum?

--Alex

 

[137th Gebirg]

I'm a graphics artist and I've used both. I'll always take Photoshop hands-down. It seems to me that GIMP goes out of its way to NOT be like PS, down to using different quick key strokes to accomplish simple and repetitive tasks (zooming, tool usage, etc). When the brain is programmed for so long to operate a certain way (PS), acquiring speed and efficiency in that product, and then forced to operate another way with another product (unlearn what you have learned), it fails - epically. Additionally, going back to first product after re-training the brain then becomes problematic and all the things you knew without thinking you actually have to think about again - the muscle memory is gone - all that is left is infinite frustration. For you UNIX folks out there, it's like being in the "vi" camp and refusing to EVER use "emacs".

The one thing I do like about GIMP is its file-handling capabilities - it can naturally detect a file format at save-time without having to select it from a drop-down menu. It also automagically turns files you give a "GIF" extension into indexed coloring (you still have to choose the kind of palette, IIRC), but it does save some steps where PS requires more clicks.

That aside, I despise the way GIMP handles open windows and drawing tools. I find dealing with images with transparent backgrounds to also be quite clunky.

And I guess that's the core word I would apply to GIMP - "clunky". Yes, it's great for those who can't afford PS, but if the developers focused more on ease-of-use and intuitive interface design, it could definitely be a contender for the freeware graphics crown and maybe - just maybe - start chipping away at PS's ivory tower. At this point in time, though, not a chance. I have yet to really find any freeware app that comes close to PhotoShop with regard to usability.

In summary, yes, most of the same functions are there, it's just really hard to get anything done, IMHO, and I would think even someone who has never used PS before will also find it cumbersome.

 

[Albertese]

^^^
Yeah, that's what I'm finding too. The more I dink around with GIMP, the less I like it. I'll start saving up. I think I'll be able to conjure up the cash for a genuine copy of CS5 before too long.

Thanks Guys!

--Alex

 

[Rett Mikhal]

Not sure why everyone accuses Gimp of a bad interface, when I went to Gimp because of its simplified interface. PS reminded me too much of autocad with a billion greyed out buttons and menu commands that made no sense. Gimp looks more like MS Paint and that's what I used for years (I was very anti PS for a while).

I've done some good stuff with it and found the Gimp to be the best image manipulator tool I've ever used.

 

[aureagle]

Gimp is cool!!! Very cool... the brushes, addons/plugins etc. are all available for gimp too. Though Photoshop is very mature in many aspects, but I don't think it's worth the money that it expects. I like gimp myself, it's free, it's fast and it's reliable (It crashed seldom, while photoshop crashed often on my machines) I have ps in my drawer, but I don't use it!

 

[JarodRussell]

Isn't "gimp" another word for "cripple"? Because that's what it feels like compared to Photoshop, Painter and other packages.

 

[Gul Re'jal]

I use Gimp and it's sufficient for my needs. I said bye bye to PS at the same time I kicked Windows out of my comp. It was weird to use Gimp at first, but with the help of good tutorials, which I found in the internet, I managed to do some photogimping and was happy with results.

 

[johndenver]

I've used both but it does not compare to PS in my opinion at all. When I requested PS at work I was told to get GIMP and I must say, as a PS user, GIMP sucked!

 

[blssdwlf]

What do I use it for? Some image manipulation, like cleaning up photos and that sort of thing. Digital compositing. But mostly for so-called "image authoring" like making paintings, graphical schematic type stuff, and designing graphics for custom decals for models. Also I'm sort of an amateur wannbe game designer so I use it for designing cards.

Does Elements do that sort of thing?

--Alex

Alex, in that case stick with Photoshop. Fireworks I like also. If you have an older version of PS you could do the upgrade price (check their online store for details.)