GIMP - Photoshop Alternative

They have: 1 posts

Joined: May 2009

I just read about GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), I had never heard about it before. Supposedly it's a good free alternative to Photoshop. I'm going to download it and play around with it later. If you wanna check it you can do so here www.gimp.org/

[Mod edit. Please use your signature for personal links, cheers]

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

Hi anverdolerama,

I have been using Gimp for a few years now. It is a suitable Photoshop alternative for what most of us need to do. It doesn't include all the same functionality as Photoshop, but most of it's there.

The interface can take awhile to get used to, and it's really best if you have multiple desktops so you can put it in it's own space.

decibel.places's picture

He has: 1,494 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

Hi anverdolerama,welcome to TWF! Laughing out loud

I agree with Megan, the Gimp is a workable tool for most of the tasks needed for web development and design.

However, there are some features developed specifically for Photoshop that advanced graphic designers use, and are not available for the Gimp.

FYI, there is also a good open source vector graphics app named Inkscape (similar to Illustrator, and reads .ai files)

the Gimp and Photoshop are raster graphics apps

They have: 11 posts

Joined: May 2009

GIMP is a really good software. you can say the junior version of photoshop like adobe. That's need less primary memory & less disk space.
try & enjoy it.

iPhone Fan's picture

They have: 8 posts

Joined: Jul 2009

I can do everything with the Gimp that I normally do in Photoshop. I do not need CMYK or Pantone for my photo retouching.

They have: 7 posts

Joined: Jul 2009

anverdolerama wrote:
I just read about GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), I had never heard about it before. Supposedly it's a good free alternative to Photoshop. I'm going to download it and play around with it later. If you wanna check it you can do so here www.gimp.org/

GIMP is a very good Photoshop alternative, considering its missing one of my favorite tools ( Pen Tool). Ive been using GIMP for about 1 year now and I have to say, when switching from Photoshop I was completely confused, because it seems to me that GIMP is a little more complex.

Abhishek Reddy's picture

He has: 3,348 posts

Joined: Jul 2001

orc_dragoon wrote:
GIMP is a very good Photoshop alternative, considering its missing one of my favorite tools ( Pen Tool).

From what I can tell about Photoshop, the GIMP has a path tool that is similar. You may want to look again.

Then again, it's not a good idea to directly compare the GIMP to Photoshop, since the GIMP is not developed as an imitation. If you expect it to clone Photoshop's features, you'll quickly be disappointed. For me, the GIMP's critical selling point is that it is free software -- unlike Photoshop.

They have: 7 posts

Joined: Jul 2009

Well GIMP does have a pathtool, but Photoshop's Pen Tool is a little bit better.

Renegade's picture

He has: 3,022 posts

Joined: Oct 2002

Have to agree there, the GIMP path tool seems quite awkward to use while the Photoshop version is slightly easier to work with.

Of course, comparing GIMP and Photoshop to me is a little like comparing apples with oranges. Both from the same family but are for slightly different audiences/users.

NickD's picture

They have: 56 posts

Joined: May 2009

Hmm Ive never used the Gimp, I have used photoshop, but I quite like Paint.net for any basic stuff.

They have: 5 posts

Joined: Aug 2009

I learned about GIMP here only.as am learning photoshop..i think I would like to compare them.

They have: 9 posts

Joined: Jun 2010

Thank you for the tip guys! Is GIMP lighter than photoshop? My not-so-new-PC should be happy to hear that. Where can I find reviews comparing all kinds of similar softwares?

He has: 629 posts

Joined: May 2007

Not exactly reviews of the kind you meant, I suspect, but these lists should give you a start:

10 Excellent Open Source and Free Alternatives to Photoshop

20 Vector Graphics Editors Reviewed

Cordially, David
--
delete from internet where user_agent="MSIE" and version < 8;

He has: 5 posts

Joined: Jun 2010

gimp is getting a new single window mode, which am looking forward to in next version.

most people will be happy with the traditional and new mode

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

I'm happy that they're finally doing this. I used to have to remember to start Gimp on a separate desktop, which isn't always convenient.

shariq222's picture

They have: 15 posts

Joined: Jun 2010

Gimp is really very good software but we cannot compare it with photoshop .

He has: 5 posts

Joined: Jun 2010

shariq222 wrote:
Gimp is really very good software but we cannot compare it with photoshop .

actually we can, specially when the latest ps has been taking features that have been available in gimp for years and making it as if they invented them and then charging quite a lot for them.

like Resynthesizer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2gonFtc1yc

and then there's cinepaint (gimp fork) used in a good amount of movies.

anyway i would agree that in the commercial aspect we cant compare them, because gimp is not commercial and was meant to be free for people/companies/institutions in need that can't afford ps. i would say that for this audience it does 98% of things they will use it for.

it amazes me what some good hearted developers can accomplish in their spare time without nothing in exchange

He has: 9 posts

Joined: Jun 2010

I am really interested to hear your replies as I am mulling a completely open-source content creation box to save on costs. Adobe is expensive for hobbyists!

mnemonic's picture

They have: 5 posts

Joined: Jun 2010

I only use adobe photoshop and thanks for this post! now I know that there's an alternative free image manipulation program that we can use, don't ask me where in the hell I came from hehehehe... thanks you

They have: 59 posts

Joined: Aug 2011

First time heard about GNU Image Manipulation Program in here, Thanks for all of this stuff. I am learning some different thing. Thanks for giving a best idea.

They have: 15 posts

Joined: Oct 2011

it's also my first time to hear GNU, but i would prefer PS

He has: 5 posts

Joined: Jun 2010

for those that want to learn gimp fast, there is a new version just for that: Adaptable gimp

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/adaptable-gimp-gimp-easy-windows-linux/

He has: 15 posts

Joined: Feb 2013

I always use Adobe Photoshop for image editing.

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