A true photoshop alternative....No not GIMP!! "PIXEL" actually

[barmazal]

Photoshop is about graphical engine which never will be open source thus any of not working, "commercial beta" of Pixel or open source and free Gimp can offer.
I think there are guys who can turn Gimp into more Photoshop looks (layout wise) freely for newbies to Gimp like myself to get used to it. We just not used to it as we used to Photoshop, nothing about it's accessibility or usability is wrong.

Pixel is just good looking on screenshot toy which brings nostalgia for Photoshop users, while after click>start it brings you nostalgia of Bill Gates and his Windows codename "Blue Error" presentation.

[qamelian]

...any person who deals with graphics will find Gimp as inferior due to lack of functionality and solid graphical engine.

This is simply not true. I dropped Photoshop in favour of GIMP because I found it technically superior to Photoshop in far more ways than it lacked. I won't say it is perfect, but GIMP is far more extensible than Photoshop and allows me to manage workflow much better than Photoshop. As far as CMYK support, there is a plugin available that add in that functionality. Most of the other complaints that I commonly hear about the GIMP are being addressed over the course of the next two major versions.

I also know a number of professional digital artists who have expressed a preference for working in GIMP for reasons ranging from from the functional to the creative.

The bottom line is that everyone has a preferred style in which they work and varied technical needs. For some, yes, Photoshop will be the best choice. But there are others like myself that for a variety of reasons consider Photoshop to be the inferior alternative.

[barmazal]

i'm sorry you cannot see unclear lines Gimp creates for any graphical object, it's likely you don't even care what anti aliasing filters are.

as for functionality mainly i miss right click on layer to get into layer filters, when the stuff Python-Fu offers limited and low quality filters.

other functionality i miss is live mode for gradients which i can control and manipulate without waiting so much time for it to appear so bad timing for gradients.

[ImpelGD]

Thanks for posting on Pixel - I'll likely give it a try after I've installed Feisty Fawn.

I'm a graphic/web designer looking to use Ubuntu instead of Windows where possible. If anyone has any insight into using any of these non-Photoshop applications for slicing up web layouts I'd be pleased to hear it. Does Pixel and/or the GIMP do this?

[barmazal]

me too but seems Ive never had ability to run Pixel without having fatal error both on Windows and Ubuntu

[bullgr]

I'm a graphic/web designer looking to use Ubuntu instead of Windows where possible. If anyone has any insight into using any of these non-Photoshop applications for slicing up web layouts I'd be pleased to hear it. Does Pixel and/or the GIMP do this?

1.Gimp is good for home use, for users who don't like to spend 600 euros for retouching they'r vacation photos.
2.Pixel is useless, with many bugs and very slow development. it supposed to be finish in 2005... i thing
the development can't no more continue (technical issues). so, don't hope to work like photoshop at all.
3.the solution for pro's who must use photoshop is to get a mashine with dual core cpu, install vmware, create
winblows virtual session and run photoshop from withit... it runs smooth, perfect, without slowing down.

and i write it again: solution 3 is for pro's who must use photoshop and they like run ubuntu istead winblows.

[ImpelGD]

3.the solution for pro's who must use photoshop is to get a mashine with dual core cpu, install vmware, create winblows virtual session and run photoshop from withit... it runs smooth, perfect, without slowing down.
Thanks bullgr. The vmware site confuses me (not a difficult thing to do) - which would be the best version of vmware to use? Is there a free one? And does it also work with Photoshop and InDesign CS1?

Many thanks.

[bullgr]

Thanks bullgr. The vmware site confuses me (not a difficult thing to do) - which would be the best version of vmware to use? Is there a free one? And does it also work with Photoshop and InDesign CS1?

Many thanks.

go there

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=183209&highlight=vmware

i use this howto and works perfect.
please note that you must have a dual core cpu to run smooth in vmware.
and yes, you can run ANYTHING: photoshop, corel, adobe creative studio, quark. just ANYTHING

[ImpelGD]

Thanks! I'll have a read...

I don't presently have a dual core CPU, but am thinking about buying a new PC anyway.

[barmazal]

http://blog.publicidadpixelada.com/how-to-adobe-photoshop-cs2-on-ubuntu-10-steps/

try here man, don't know if it works , still lazy to follow these 5 steps to make CS working with Ubuntu though wine

[qamelian]

i'm sorry you cannot see unclear lines Gimp creates for any graphical object, it's likely you don't even care what anti aliasing filters are.

as for functionality mainly i miss right click on layer to get into layer filters, when the stuff Python-Fu offers limited and low quality filters.

other functionality i miss is live mode for gradients which i can control and manipulate without waiting so much time for it to appear so bad timing for gradients.

Well, use what you like, but I'd hack my own right arm off before I would willingly go back to Photoshop. And you first comment is uncalled for. I seems to presume a lack of knowledge on my part. I've been doing digital illustration (and getting paid for it!) for almost 20 years. I used Photoshop extensively for many years as well as many other tools for more specialist graphics tasks. I think I pretty well qualified to determine what tools are the best for my needs and Photoshop just isn't it. The list of things I can do easily in Gimp that are a struggle to accomplish in Photoshop is as long as that right arm that I thankfully don't need to hack off!

[barmazal]

i'm sorry if i offended you or your professionalism.

[bullgr]

you can use what you want, but there is some people who need's some prog's and can't live without them...
and they must to be helped to get this prog's to run in ubuntu.

this is a big discussion, but i believe a OS must run anything the user likes and not to force the user to run what
the OS have available.

if a ubuntu user need's to run photoshop and don't like to use gimp, instead to taunt him and to feel forced
to boot to winblows, we can help him and advice him how to do this.

i readed in the forums many threats about to drop photoshop and use gimp... if a user ask's how to run photoshop
in ubuntu he get's answers like "use gimp, is better", "use open source", "gimp is technicaly better", etc.
I DON'T LIKE TO USE GIMP, I LIKE TO RUN AND USE PHOTOSHOP IN UBUNTU.

if we like to grow up ubuntu more, we must advice users how to run the commercial prog's they like in ubuntu
(photoshop, corel, illustrator, dreamweaver, flash...)

there is a solution for that: vmware with dual core cpu. this is the future... virtualisation.
if you can't run some prog's in ubuntu, use a virtualisation mashine.

i done this and from now one i never boot in winblows...

[barmazal]

Does it consums much of power? Because on my dual core CS2 gets nutty nutty at some points.

[bullgr]

Does it consums much of power? Because on my dual core CS2 gets nutty nutty at some points.

no, i run cs with no problems. vmware must be configured good to work photoshop smooth (2 cpu's, 512 ram, allocated disk space).

[barmazal]

have 1gb ddr, is there any tutorial how to set up vmware the way you mentioned? though it sucks to have Windows on Ubuntu but it seems the most solid solution.

[Artificial Intelligence]

2.Pixel is useless, with many bugs and very slow development. it supposed to be finish in 2005... i thing
the development can't no more continue (technical issues). so, don't hope to work like photoshop at all.


Have you tried the pay version of Pixel, huh?
You may think it's useless but alot of people have a good use of it and besides beta 7 is going to released very soon.

[barmazal]

How can you pay for something is buggy in demo mod as Windows blue screen. I don't think is right commercial trick, in this Czech guy place i would keep only Photoshop looking screenshots until commercial version is released.

[bullgr]

Have you tried the pay version of Pixel, huh?
You may think it's useless but alot of people have a good use of it and besides beta 7 is going to released very soon.

if you thing that pixel can be even close to photoshop keep dreaming...
or maybe until then i get old Age Pension
I AM A PRO I MUST USE PHOTOSHOP AND I LIKE TO USE UBUNTU FOR OS IN MY WORKPLACE.
if you don't accept this, then it's like you telling me "boot to winblows".

for the vmware howto i use go there
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=183209&highlight=vmware
please note, you need a dual core cpu to run smoothly. if you have one, you will be amazed about the performance.

[eldad87]

Pixel look very promising, unlike gimp that is hard to adapt afther 7 years that I'm using photoshop.

[Artificial Intelligence]

if you thing that pixel can be even close to photoshop keep dreaming...
or maybe until then i get old Age Pension
I AM A PRO I MUST USE PHOTOSHOP AND I LIKE TO USE UBUNTU FOR OS IN MY WORKPLACE.
if you don't accept this, then it's like you telling me "boot to winblows".

for the vmware howto i use go there
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=183209&highlight=vmware
please note, you need a dual core cpu to run smoothly. if you have one, you will be amazed about the performance.

No need to be aggressive. I'm asking an honest and simple question if you have tried the pay version of of pixel, because you said it's buggy etc.

[smartalecks]

No need to be aggressive. I'm asking an honest and simple question if you have tried the pay version of of pixel, because you said it's buggy etc.

I can vouch for him, I have the pay version (to support dev, but it's actually looking pretty good). I have the latest version, Beta 6, and it's pretty buggy, The text tool is pretty much unusable, and aside from the default brushes you can't really use any other brushes or make your own. Also, the interface is a bit glitchy and could use some smoothening. Some of the filters crash when using, as well.

BUT! The Beta 7, which is supposed to have corrected ALL these problems, as well as improving other features, is supposed to be a few weeks away from release (but then again, it was supposed to be months ago :( see Pixel news).

[bullgr]

No need to be aggressive. I'm asking an honest and simple question if you have tried the pay version of of pixel, because you said it's buggy etc.

i try pixel two times in the past and the last one was the demo of Pixel v1.0 Beta 6...
if found some serious problems in the stability of the program (minimize the window and the tool boxes disapears after maximizing again, sometime can't even load it).

and some tools are not that they must be. for example the clone tool (i don't go now in details) and the slice tool
are not functional as photoshop, not even in a dignified use.

and i believe that if even i buy the pay version there will be no difference. it is supposed that the demo version
of any program must impress the prospective buyer to finally choose to buy it.

i don't want to be offence to you, but i believe it's crazy to tell me someone "the demo version don't work well,
but if you buy it, then it's work good.

[mech7]

Pixel does not work indeed.. i can't even maximize it with it going bezerk.. also can't even press buttons. No way near a replacement of good old trusty photoshop :D

[rejser]

Iv'e tried gimp, worked worked with gimp, but still have to use photoshop through work because psd-files. Everything is psd. And actually Pixel managed to handle them. gimp can handle a few, very few.
But sorry to say is that I belive that he has taken on a to large of a project for one man. And by taking money for the beta he will be forced to work on the program. wheter or not it is still a fun project. Which could lead to downfall. Hope not though.
Many of you argue that it's not open source or freeware. But hey, nothing in life is free. How much do you pay to the linux community? Maybe not money but time, code or something else.

[Takeru27]

I may try it when it gets better, but for now, I'm kind of stuck in windows because I refuse to use Gimp (used it for two years before getting Photoshop CS2). If I could find any way to run Photoshop within Ubuntu, I would be there in a flash. But if this gets better, and I'm hoping it does, I may get it and use that. It's looking great so far, but I'd rather not have to deal with all the bugs.

[greymongrey]

If I could find any way to run Photoshop within Ubuntu, I would be there in a flash.

I use Photoshop 7 in Ubuntu with wine sometimes. It runs really well. I've read where CS2 is doable, I just haven't taken the time to bother to do it.

I tried Pixel in Windows at work and it's terribly buggy. No way would I pay for it, sorry. The Gimp is much more usable at present.

[mech7]

I use Photoshop 7 in Ubuntu with wine sometimes. It runs really well. I've read where CS2 is doable, I just haven't taken the time to bother to do it.

I tried Pixel in Windows at work and it's terribly buggy. No way would I pay for it, sorry. The Gimp is much more usable at present.

Don't you have problems with PS 7 and the palletes? Everytime i need to to reset them, also i can't resize the save for web window... and the palletes still show up when i switch to a different app 0_o

[greymongrey]

Don't you have problems with PS 7 and the palletes? Everytime i need to to reset them, also i can't resize the save for web window... and the palletes still show up when i switch to a different app 0_o
Yes, they do open incorrectly. However, I have learned that if I double click the top bar (active bar? or whatever it's called) of the palletes and then double click them to reopen them they display correctly. You can then save your work space and reuse it to keep the palletes displayed properly most of the time. I just close it when I'm finished. I don't like having a lot of apps open. I can see where this would be a problem with someone needing to keep it open and running other apps, however.

I don't use it every day anymore anyway. I prefer the Gimp, to be honest.

[YoungCthulhu]

Gidday all,

I am completely new to full-functioned graphics packages. Here are my first impressions of GIMP as a newbie...

I found GIMP a bit hard to get into on account of not being able to load up the GIMP-help programs. Now I have done that I am hooked. Believe it or not, haven't used layers until now!

I am presently drawing a dinosaur for my nephew that has 10 layers (so far) and I have found I can get so much more control this way. I paint using gouache and watercolours but have always found these media to be fairly nerve-wracking: If you make a mistake you often have to throw it away and start again!

Not so with the GIMP, what a hoot! Stuff up and you just affect the one layer. I am having a ball! \\:D/

I might not be buying any more paint for a while. :shock:

Two questions now:


Is it possible to print out the GIMP help? It is a big manual but apart from taking a screen-shop of salient bits I haven't found a way of doing this yet.
I am thinking of getting a small Wacom digitiser tablet. Is there a driver available?

Cheers :)

[granite230]

I just discovered a new image editor named Pixel. It's not free of charge, but it's not expensive either. Here you can find some info: http://www.kanzelsberger.com/pixel/?page_id=12

Could this be a "Gimp-killer"? I have no experience using the Gimp or using Pixel so I have no idea.

Any opinions?

[mech7]

It is not that new it looks ok from the screenshots untill you try to run it and find out how buggy it is.

[granite230]

I just discovered a new image editor named Pixel. It's not free of charge, but it's not expensive either. Here you can find some info: http://www.kanzelsberger.com/pixel/?page_id=12

Could this be a "Gimp-killer"? I have no experience using the Gimp or using Pixel so I have no idea.

Any opinions?

I'm sorry, my 'new thread' was moved to this thread because the search feature on this forum didn't find anything when I tried to search for 'Pixel' or 'Gimp'.

*starts reading this thread* :mrgreen:

[bubbalouie]

how Silly!!! ](*,)
I wouldn't take things too personally. People with strong opinions on things will sometimes feel threatened or take offense to anything that threatens/questions the beliefs they hold. In this case some people do not like paying for software, which is fine, they can use free stuff.

I love OSS, it is fantastic, but programmers need to eat, so we have commercial software (as you obviously well know). I have been trying to find an alternative to PSP for linux and Pixel is just that by the look of things, thanks for sharing your find, I was getting quite disheartened with the offerings (even though gimpshop and Krita arell quite impressive even 90% there, but that 10% is what I need), pixel is just what I wanted. If i still like it in a week, I will buy a copy.

If no one supports commercial software on Linux, than linux will never gain a decent market share, we need companies to port to linux, and they won't do that unless the platform is viable. If peoples pet applications don't get ported or have alternatives (as is the case with some commercial niche apps, Protel 99SE & Nokia suite for me) then businesses and individuals will still have a hard time switching.

Once again, thanks for your post, it has helped me a lot :)

[anv]

Artist can use several tools and I recommend to learn many softwares instead of one. Earlier when commercials wee done by hands and taken repros, ideas were richer and usually when someone uses one tool it marks the result. In the name of creativity I see it welcome when there is several tools, but usually when people try to get easy they use one and start to believe that the one tool or brand is the only acceptable.

Worst thing is that people who run schools and buy in some softwares they often get offers or some other benefits like, free upgrades, or something else and when those places share just one kind of thinking from one manufacturer I think it is dangerous. Places where students should learn creativity are full by solutions which have bought one or two workers, who can even work on branch and even be resellers for some of softwares. And then students learn for exsample this Photoshop as I did also, which isn't any better than any other competitor, as from Corel family or Gimp or some others. It is just because interface is learned in two three years and it has become comfortable to use, people often get scared to try some new solution which could actually be better. I heard from some psychologist that it takes 21 days to learn out from some habit, it can differ but I believe that the amount is quite close in this case when we don't speak of any dependency kind of sickness :)


I use:

Gimp - Bitmap editing

Inkscape - vector

Blender+Realsoft 3D - as 3D modeling tools

nvu - making basic structures of websites

Jahshaka, Cinelerra, ... - video editing

and more...

+ several music production softwares

:KS

[dergringo]

The author of Pixel, namely Pavel Kanzelsberger, seems to be some kind of unpolite. Let me quote:
[...] And I hope everything around you is opensource, you know trees, flowers, air, everything. Opensource is nice if there are those geeks to work on it, I'm not one of them, I'll rather spend my free time having real life instead of sitting in front of computer.
The source of this quote is here: http://portableapps.com/node/4697

I don't want to slander it's just that you know. Do with this information whatever you want.

Regards

Philipp

[JC_510]

I hated GIMP at first too. But I saw how many people swore by the program, so I spent a little time trying to get to grips with it. I've only just started spending a lot of time with it, but it is already beginning to pay off, and i'm starting to realise what a powerful program the GIMP really is.

Give it some time, look at the tutorials on the GIMP website, and here (http://www.gimpdome.com/forum/), and i'm sure your opinion will change soon enough.

[karellen]

gimp in linux, paint.net in windows. why pay when there's a free alternative suited for my needs?

[burt_57]

While I won't be buying Pixel, and I do like the GIMP as a whole, the fact that the GIMP completely takes over my taskbar has always annoyed me. I like the single window interface of Pixel, and would like to play with it, but I'm a poor college student, and I just don't want to pay for it or have to pay for it in the future.

P.S.-If anybody knows of a way to get the GIMP to be contained all in one window, please let me know. I will be forever grateful :)
GIMP in one windows .yap that I would like to see.
Photoshop CS2 user for 5 years I am
Like to see my work inone windows only..
Trying GIMP realy bugg me, but maybe they will find a way to make it work in a single window.

[miLl3niUm]

GIMP ftw

[gribelu]

Most of you are really not getting the point.

Pixel isn't supposed to replace Gimp.. as you said, it's too different. It's supposed to replace Photoshop under Linux. And Gimp does have a weird interface.. i prefer running Photoshop in a VM instead of spending months to get as efficient with Gimp. But i think i could quickly learn Pixel.. well.. when it will be finished. Maybe it will suck, but i like it so far.
Btw, one of the main things that's missing from Gimp is adjustment layers. Not to mention the latest additions to Photoshop like 'smart objects' and 'smart filters'
I just tried the latest beta (6) and it has way less bugs than it had a year ago when i first tried it.

Overall, i think it is very promising. It is commercial but since i have no FOSS alternatives, that's ok.

I can't wait to see what the final version will look like... although i probably would be happier with Photoshop4Linux :(

[UI-Freak]

Too many fanboys here... :-& Fanboyism is a real problem for progress and reflection. Well, your loss.

[ArtInvent]

I haven't tried Pixel. However, one of the major problems with Gimp vs Photoshop is that Gimp does not do CMYK or 16 bit per pixel. Pixel states that it can do these modes. Not having these modes is a pretty awful limitation for print graphics professionals and advanced photograhers. This means that Gimp and hence pretty much all Linux is out of reach to these people. This is really a shame in that this is a lot of people who I think would otherwise really dig Linux.

I would also point out that I have no problems using Gimp to actually edit photos. It's a very sophisticated and stable program. The actual tools are not that different from Photoshop and the procedural differences make perfect sense and aren't that difficult to learn with a little effort. HOWEVER as has oft been mentioned, one thing that is just infuriating and should be changed is that it does not all exist in one window, like virtually every other program in the universe. This means it totally goobers your taskbar with tabs and can't be minimized/restored easily. I can't for the life of me figure out why this hasn't been changed. I don't see why it couldn't at least be made optional to stick all the windows in one window. I have never read any defense of this layout probably because it has no conceivable advantage. And I suspect that most of the people who dislike the Gimp (and there are lots) really dislike it for this reason, or at least it's the cause of the most aggravation. For me it's a great program that I pretty much hate to have to open for that one reason.

So I have a virtual machine with Windows and Photoshop and CorelDraw on it. Argh.

[King_Critter]

HOWEVER as has oft been mentioned, one thing that is just infuriating and should be changed is that it does not all exist in one window, like virtually every other program in the universe. This means it totally goobers your taskbar with tabs and can't be minimized/restored easily. I can't for the life of me figure out why this hasn't been changed. I don't see why it couldn't at least be made optional to stick all the windows in one window. I have never read any defense of this layout probably because it has no conceivable advantage. And I suspect that most of the people who dislike the Gimp (and there are lots) really dislike it for this reason, or at least it's the cause of the most aggravation. For me it's a great program that I pretty much hate to have to open for that one reason.

True, but it is rather easy to change, if not to a perfect photoshop clone, then pretty darn close.

Check out this screenshot (http://kingcritter.pyrom.net/uploads/Gimp-screenshot.jpg) to see what I'm talking about. As you can see, the only window that shows up on the taskbar is whatever image (or images) are currently open. The two toolbox things are stuck to the active image, so when you alt tab you're only alt tabbing one window.

[airtonix]

install beryl..
install the wndow grouping plugin

love how gimp behaves as though its got tabbed documents now

stop whinging bout MDI and SDI

[marksman7328]

People, there is no alternative to Photoshop. End of story.

[hikaricore]

People, there is no alternative to Photoshop. End of story.

Only your third post and you manage to fail quite gracefully.

Well done.

[teh'p3nsi0n3r]

People, there is no alternative to Photoshop. End of story.

thats like saying there is no alternative to windows lol :roll:

[weblordpepe]

Thats like saying there's no cheese on my pie. Wait, no it isnt..

[mech7]

thats like saying there is no alternative to windows lol :roll:

that is because it is.. photoshop is in league of it's own

[psyopper]

Sorry I'm coming to this conversation late, I just showed up to Ubuntu last month and this is the first I've browsed the Art section of this forum.

I have to give my vote to GimpShop. I am a long term user of Photoshop (from 6 through CS2) and I even got CS running under WINE on 7.04. But I thought to myself - why not try the Gimp? I hated it too until I stumbled upon GimpShop.

It DOES look just like Gimp, but... it behaves almost as intuitively as Photoshop. I wrote a rather amateurish review of GimpShop in 3 parts on my blog, the point of which is to introduce GimpShop to Photoshop users so they can see how they coincide iin a usability aspect.

Ther is a .deb of Gimpshop available on their download page. There is now CMYK support for the OS10.3 version (anyone feel like some porting/compiling?). There is a deweirdifyer plug-in for the Windows version that has been ported and updated for Gimp 2.2 via RPM (http://www.kudla.org/index.php?wl_mode=more&wl_eid=77&wl_topic=4) (and I'll give bonus points to anyone who can get it into Ubuntu or .deb).

Read me thoughts here (http://psyopper.wordpress.com/reviews/), and please go easy on me, I'm also new to the blogosphere though I've been computing since 1997.

[elamd]

Pixel sucks.

I bought it about 4 years ago for $28.00 because it looked pretty good and the demo ran okay, if quite buggy. But I figured I was supporting this guy so he could refine Pixel into a true Photoshop alternative.

I forgot about it and looked it up again 4 months ago and bought a new license. Same ****, different day. It's just as buggy as before and Pavel has no conception of deadlines. He's always promising a new beta and it doesn't happen. Go read the news releases and comments and forums.

I've come to the conclusion that he isn't a very good programmer or a rather sloppy one or both. Pixel get's a lot of hype( my own included) because it looks great. Performs like poop.

Oh well. Here's hoping Adobe has a Linux port somewhere in the Skunkworks.

[Extreme Coder]

I just tried Pixel out, and I think it's pretty good. It's interface is usable (I'm looking at you GIMP). Keep in mind that I know nothing about 8-bit/16-bit stuff and CMYK, whatever that is. I only saw Photoshop once in my life, never used it. And quite honestly, I don't care if it's the industry standard. I've been stuck in MANY positions where I want to edit a picture and I just try to avoid so, because I can't use the GIMP AT ALL. Sorry, but if I can't do very basic stuff, after trying for hours to get something done in GIMP, then something is wrong. I'm still holding buying a Pixel license until I see Beta 8 released.[/rant]

Extreme Coder

[beefcurry]

it depends what alternative is, one that looks or feels like photoshop? then PIXEL wins. One that dominates and works extremely well as a graphics manipulation program? then I would have to vote GIMP :D, wasnt too hard to get used to the shortcuts, but now I'm really bad when using photoshop as a result.

[starbase1]

Well... In my view, Gimp is not at all bad - the interface is a bit unusual but not difficult.

In some cases the lack of some features is something of a benefit - lack of clutter is a good thing, and is also why I tend to use PS elements more than the full PS (I have both).

But it really is no substitute for Photoshop. The two real killers for me are lack of support for 16 bit channels, and lack of reliable native photoshop filter support. Any serious competition really must have those, (And CMYK support).

[psyopper]

But [GIMP] really is no substitute for Photoshop. The two real killers for me are lack of support for 16 bit channels, and lack of reliable native photoshop filter support. Any serious competition really must have those, (And CMYK support).

Have you looked at pspi? (http://www.gimp.org/~tml/gimp/win32/pspi.html) It's a GIMP plugin to support Photoshop plugins... Haven't tried it and can't vouch for it because I was never in need for a plugin, I usually tried to test my creative skill (and frequently failed) to come up with creative solutions.

[burt_57]

Just so that you all now this............ there is no alternative to Adobe Photoshop CS2.
Like there is many OS and they look all diff. I prefer Adobe to any other image editor.
Some like Windows.other like Apple and some Linux.
So what is the big deal.
Matter of choice right !

[kopilo]

Personally I like illustrator much better then photoshop.. I actually find photoshop rather redundant and as for transparencies... gimp handles that much better, whilst this program does look interesting I think I`ll stay with my mix of inkscape and gimp till something better comes out.

[richtard]

Personally I like illustrator much better then photoshop.. I actually find photoshop rather redundant and as for transparencies... gimp handles that much better, whilst this program does look interesting I think I`ll stay with my mix of inkscape and gimp till something better comes out.

But Illustrator and photoshop are two very different programs meant for two completely different things, as the names imply.You might as well say - I prefer pen, ink and canvas to a photographic enlarger and light sensitive paper. Or I like shoes much more than vests.

Couldn't get PIXEL to run on 64bit Ubuntu. Looks quite good, but the comments on the PIXEL website are quite telling; it looks as though it may well be years before its ever out of beta.

[kopilo]

or I like benches to stand on better then foot ladders... Humans naturally use products for more then they are designed for and considering illustrator does include a lot of pixel editing tools in one form or another (eg glossen blur). I`d say it can be used more then what it was designed for.

[rhardie]

I do some digital photography and there is little that can match the Adobe Lightroom application for RAW image format. I have not found any OSS application with the same level of functionality as the Adobe product and I'd certainly pay $300 for the application to get my work done.

I play around with Linux and it's applications (in my off-time) to learn and migrate from Windows, but if I have a job to do, then I gotta get it done because my time and energy is worth MONEY (which is not a bad word, by the way).

If there is a 'free' open source program that does what I need, then I'm gonna load it on my computer and use it. If there is a choice between OSS with less functionality and a non-OSS application that is highly developed, then I use the non-open source.

I like OSS and support the competition with MS (and I don't 'hate' Microsoft)

[BrokeBody]

Paint.NET (http://www.getpaint.net/index2.html)

I heard that Google sponsored Paint.NET Mono project.

[ububaba]

If I am not installing Pixel what alternatives do I have of converting RAW format files to jpeg?

[BLTicklemonster]

GIMP in one windows .yap that I would like to see.
Photoshop CS2 user for 5 years I am
Like to see my work inone windows only..
Trying GIMP realy bugg me, but maybe they will find a way to make it work in a single window.

Close:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=449525&highlight=gimp

Just pretend your desktop is the window... at least you only have two things to keep up with now. In PS Cs2, it's all in one window, but man, there's like 5 or 6 different little thingies going on all over it.

[boozereaper]

photoshop has always been the way to go for me.

[beefcurry]

If I am not installing Pixel what alternatives do I have of converting RAW format files to jpeg?

try UFRAW

[Half-Left]

Just so that you all now this............ there is no alternative to Adobe Photoshop CS2.
Like there is many OS and they look all diff. I prefer Adobe to any other image editor.
Some like Windows.other like Apple and some Linux.
So what is the big deal.
Matter of choice right !

How Ironic is it that OS X Photoshop is setup like GIMP but Windows Photoshop is in one window. Most use Mac for professional design and they dont moan about the canvas not being in the same window, infact thats one of the feature they like about GIMP.

Fact is the Windows people like to think that there way is standard and every other is wrong.

[burt_57]

I do some digital photography and there is little that can match the Adobe Lightroom application for RAW image format. I have not found any OSS application with the same level of functionality as the Adobe product and I'd certainly pay $300 for the application to get my work done.

I play around with Linux and it's applications (in my off-time) to learn and migrate from Windows, but if I have a job to do, then I gotta get it done because my time and energy is worth MONEY (which is not a bad word, by the way).

If there is a 'free' open source program that does what I need, then I'm gonna load it on my computer and use it. If there is a choice between OSS with less functionality and a non-OSS application that is highly developed, then I use the non-open source.

I like OSS and support the competition with MS (and I don't 'hate' Microsoft)

Wrong you are. I have Raw Shooter and find it much better than the Adobe raw.
Oh by the way you can not buy Raw Shooter pro anymore.
Like some OS buy everybody else so did Adobe, they bought them out..... darn it where is the competition.
Raw Shooter is the best. I know cause I have them both Adobe raw and Shooter.
Hum Wonder if I could install or make it run in Linux , that would be nice.

[ububaba]

Thanks I'll try.

[salehid]

Thanks ...

[brian j]

http://www-old.lightcrafts.com/linux/ LightZone for Linux
http://rawstudio.org/ Rawstudio
http://www.rawtherapee.com/ THe Experimental RAw Photo Editor

[eheyl]

Would you say that gimp is good for laying out the elements of a webpage (a la fireworks)? And the interface is starting to grow on me, but I do wonder if anyone has used it to create textures for 3D??

[eheyl]

hmm. looked at the gimp official site and it says that the main version is 2.4.0 and its stable. In ubuntu its 2.4.0 release candidate 3. I did apt-get as they suggest and it says that I've already got the most recent version. Also, how do you get the windows in gimp to dock like in the screenshots??

[dgrafix]

first of all, Gimp is a good capable program with a great friendly community.

However, I find gimp difficult too comming from a PSP background, the whole separate window thing and when you zoom in the window doesnt expand, your tools dissapear under the painting etc. Just little things like that are hard to get used to.

Also @those on page 1, whats wrong with occasionally paying for software? Not everyone (including myself as an 'indie' developer) can write programs that will bring bread to the table by donations, support and advertising like the big & massively popular open source companies can. I will buy programs if i find it useful, Shareware with a trial period, is a nice point between the 'freeness' of open source and the cutthroat software monopolies, certainly where the small fish (like me) are concerned.

I say support shareware!!, after all very few people will develop apps for absoulutely nothing (Including the majority of 'free' software) and by supporting shareware you are increasing the attractiveness of linux to the rest of the world because the number one reason in my experience for people going back to windows is lack of software choice.

So, thanks for the heads up on this program i shall look at it when i get home.

[BLTicklemonster]

Bah, I've used them both (and more), and though I love photoshop (trying to get it to work in wine, but with no luck), I use GIMP the most. The complaining about gimp having a different layout, in my opinion, is invalid. Difference is good. It makes you use your brain. Embrace the differences! Or something like that.

[Ralphie]

Gimp is good for simple and quick image editing... resizing, small color changes, I use it all the time for this. Sure it is different but once you figure it out, it does the job.
If I'm working on a piece that matters -- i use photoshop CS3 through VirtualBox. no doubt about it, if you are serious, Adobe products are the way to go.

All you open source guys cant change my mind here, if you were to apply for a graphic design job and you put on your resume, "i know Gimp Shop like the back of my hand" you would not even get an interview.

Pixel looks pretty nice / user friendly, but I would probably not use it because I already pay a grip for Adobe products.
If you are one who wants a program to run natively in linux, and work like PS, pixel looks like the best choice, and in which case, would be worth the money.

[k99goran]

I say support shareware!!
I say don't support shareware. They are the software equivalent of Spam. Tons of abandoned or under-developed 30 days trial software that keeps piling up on Tucows and similar sites waiting for unwary users to bite the bullet. Personally I don't use any shareware.

Anyway, back to the GIMP issue... I don't care much for the theory that most people prefer Photoshop over GIMP because that's what they are used to. GIMP simply looks primitive when compared to Photoshop (and most other applications).

[potentia]

I don't care much for the theory that most people prefer Photoshop over GIMP because that's what they are used to. GIMP simply looks primitive when compared to Photoshop (and most other applications).

I has nothing to do with habbits or the look or even GUI. GIMP simply hasn't got the professional features that Photoshop users are used to and cant replace with the rather primitive feature set in GIMP. You don't just buy Photoshop if you don't need it, it is too expensive. Don't assume that Photoshop uses are drooling morons that do not know what they need to get their job done. They have plenty of choice if they cannot afford Photoshop.

Claims that GIMP is superior are just ridiculous. Fanatic. Featurewise GIMP is lightyears behind. Krita has some of these features, but performs like a 100 year old kick boxer.

[starbase1]

All you open source guys cant change my mind here, if you were to apply for a graphic design job and you put on your resume, "i know Gimp Shop like the back of my hand" you would not even get an interview.


Now that's just silly. My photoshop skills are very, very basic, but I have had loads and loads of CD covers published, and no one has ever asked about the tools I use. They look at the images.

In a team environment you will be expected to use the same tool as everyone else, but that is in order to fit in with workflow, and nothing to directly do with the quality of the tool.

[dgrafix]

I say don't support shareware. They are the software equivalent of Spam. Tons of abandoned or under-developed 30 days trial software that keeps piling up on Tucows and similar sites waiting for unwary users to bite the bullet. Personally I don't use any shareware. Bite what bullet? You really dont know what you are talking about do you. Unfinished software has no right to call itself shareware and (should) be removed if not in a beta state. If software is unfinished it should be labeled as beta so the person downloading it knows to expect problems. I can name you Tons of abandoned or under-developed 'Free' software that is also floating around the net too so i dont see your point. Do you even know what spam is?

You are basically saying the only people that can write software and get paid for it are the corporations and the open source giants who have enough fingers in "other pies" that they can afford to do it for free. What do you do for your day job? How would you feel if a coroprate monster came in and pushed you aside? Or how about if another large company took over and did it for free but got paid by other people (eg, charity and corporate sponsorship) im sure you would feel very different.

If some members of the open source community (im talking the zealots here, not everyone!) dont get off their high horse and acknowlage that some people NEED to get paid for what they do then the choice of software on linux will remain limited. People will still NEED software choice and people will keep on booting windows. I personally know gimp is good, i use it a lot, but it doesnt do everything does it? where are all the alternatives? The idea of 'free' software is NOT about forcing someone to use something just because its 'free', its about freedom of choice, otherwise it becomes as bad as the monopolies it initially set out to destroy.

The original poster has found a very useful bit of software and good on him. Ive used it and it seems very useable. Im going to TRY it and if i like it or does something gimp doesnt i will buy it. Whats the problem?
The ubuntu community should be thanking him not flaming!

[k99goran]

Unfinished software has no right to call itself shareware...
Yet it does.
You really dont know what you are talking about do you.
I have downloaded and used a lot of shareware, so I know something.
You are basically saying the only people that can write software and get paid for it are the corporations and the open source giants who have enough fingers in "other pies" that they can afford to do it for free.
No I am not saying that, nor did I say it, nor am I basically saying it. I said that I have used a lot of shareware and it tends to be crap. And I said that for this reason I no longer use shareware.
What do you do for your day job? How would you feel if a coroprate monster came in and pushed you aside? Or how about if another large company took over and did it for free but got paid by other people (eg, charity and corporate sponsorship) im sure you would feel very different.
You are going to give yourself a heart attack.
If some members of the open source community (im talking the zealots here, not everyone!) dont get off their high horse and acknowlage that some people NEED to get paid for what they do then the choice of software on linux will remain limited.
I am not on a high horse, nor do I consider myself a member of the open source community in particular. If I were as you describe, would I be criticizing GIMP?

My point is that, one of the things I don't like about Windows as a platform is the mass of badly written shareware and trialware that gunks up your system and then never uninstalls properly. I prefer free software, not so much for the non-existent sticker price, but because there is less hassle.

I have only used Pixel for a short period of time. It crashed a lot, but was also in Beta. But the thing is, as long as it cannot be bundled with the Ubuntu distribution it cannot replace GIMP.

[meho_r]

GIMP vs. PS: well, I think the key point in design is how creative you are, not how powerful app is (of course, it matters, just to be clear). I saw people do things in GIMP that are at same quality level as those done in PS. Also, look at some other apps like Inkscape -- if you compare it with Illustrator, i.e., you will say Inkscape is 'spartan', but look what people did in it and you'll see that your knowledge of app and your creativeness is the most important. Of course, getting a job is another story ;)

[dgrafix]

My point is that, one of the things I don't like about Windows as a platform is the mass of badly written shareware and trialware that gunks up your system and then never uninstalls properly. I prefer free software, not so much for the non-existent sticker price, but because there is less hassle. How is free/open software any different?, it still installs and can leave junk behind in the same way. The problems you describe can also be partly blamed on the fact that windows is total crud.

Sorry for ranting (most was aimed at earlier posts too), but to compare honest shareware to spam is insulting at best. I write shareware (and a few free) programs and i have never spammed anyone or forced anyone to buy my stuff. My windows software can easly be deleted by a remove from control panel (and a delete from prog files if you want to remove the settings ) and its gone without a trace, just like any other decent off the shelf or open/free program. I strongly oppose this notion that some people seem to have that commercial software doesnt belong on this platform.
Linux NEEDS commercial software if it is going to have a large application base that will be taken seriously by the majority of PC users. What alternative or better way is there than shareware for developers who do not have the presence or resources to do otherwise? User can try it, if they dont like it then they simply dont buy it.

End of rant,

Back on topic,
Ive never really liked photoshop or the gimp to be honest, i always prefered paintshop pro personally, and am still seeking a linux solution for that one. Gimp is very very powerful but it doesnt feel as 'comfortable' or as logical to use as paintshop and photoshop is simply overkill and overprice for what i need it for.

[potentia]

GIMP vs. PS: well, I think the key point in design is how creative you are, not how powerful app is (of course, it matters, just to be clear). I saw people do things in GIMP that are at same quality level as those done in PS. Also, look at some other apps like Inkscape -- if you compare it with Illustrator, i.e., you will say Inkscape is 'spartan', but look what people did in it and you'll see that your knowledge of app and your creativeness is the most important. Of course, getting a job is another story ;)

It still doesn't matter when you are a professional. You can't use your forehead instead of a hammer, and you can't do LAB color enhancements without LAB color support. It is not about substituting features with creativity and how-to's. The feautures are just not there for certain things that are impossible without the professional features. Thats why people use Photoshop in the first place instead of many other alternatives. It is the leader. Period. No one would claim that Paint Shop Pro was better than Photoshop either, and PSP is ahead of GIMP as well.

It is fair to compare GIMP with many smaller programs, but GIMP vs Photoshop is a hilarious comparison. It is like comparing a bike with a car!

[meho_r]

Yes, I agree. Lack of some modes in GIMP is a pity, especially CMYK support. I hope that developers will change this in future. PS is the best and there's no point to deny it. But still most of things that can be made in PS can be made in GIMP too, maybe just on some other way. And without howto's and books one will not get far with PS either. The sweet thing in OSS is that you can combine couple of apps using their strong sides in accomplishing a task.

BTW, comparison 'bike' - 'car' definitely doesn't stand.

[dgrafix]

@ potentia exactly. Which is why more choice is a good thing wether free or not.

[qamelian]

Gimp is good for simple and quick image editing... resizing, small color changes, I use it all the time for this.

Once you learn how to use it well it can be used for larger job, as well. There was an article in Linux Format magazine a few months ago that spot-lighted a few professional artists who use GIMP instead of Photoshop for all or most of their work. Personally, for the professional graphics jobs that I do as a sideline to my regular job, I haven't touch Photoshop since 2001. It's all done in GIMP, except for vector work for which I use Inkscape.

@mehro: I do deny that PS is best and I deny it vehemently. I find the PS interface to be clumsy and cluttered. I gets in the way of my work. The GIMP interface is much more flexible and let's me get on with my work. And despite occasional challenges from my "bet you can't do this with it" co-workers, I have never found any task that required me to revert to PS. In many cases, solutions I discovered or created in GIMP, worked as well or better than the equivalent in PS. Which is the better app is purely subjective. From where I sit, GIMP is many times superior to PS.

[potentia]

But still, interface aside, some need specific features. Any program that does offer them, ANY, cannot even be considered. Consider yourself lucky, I would actually like to save some money. PS is expensive, but usually well worth the cost when I compare my output to other programs.

I used GIMP when I only needed a program for web graphics. Now that I work with RAW images and advanced photo retouching using channels, layers and color modes, I can only used much more advanced programs. Thats why I compared a bike with a car. The difference is really that big.

Anyway, take a look at Krita.

[cotcot]

I fully agree with an earlier poster. GIMP has a good manual and Grokking the Gimp is also a very good reference book. Taking enough time to walk through these will help a lot.
There are tools to organise Gimp (for instance docking tools).µ
Complaints arise also when people are just used to for example photoshop. If they would have gimp as first contact with image manipulation, maybe they would complain not getting used to photoshop.
On the other hand if the complaint is about 16bit then I agree. Hopefully gimp 2.6 will have 16 bit possibilities (I read something about it).

[dgrafix]

I appreciate people sticking up for gimp, its an excellent program. But why should 'people' HAVE to get used to something? Unless the program is lightyears ahead of what you are comming from, whats the point? Take me, i do a fair bit of graphics work, things i can do fairly easilly and quickly in my known program. In gimp it takes me ages simply because things dont do what i expect (like the window increasing when zooming for example, in gimp, the window stays a thumbnail and i get scrollbars!?!!?). This kind of thing annoys me because I dont want to retrain for a program that offers me no more than paintshop pro!! (of course i would feel different if it did), This is comming from somone who has been using 'the gimp' for much longer than the proverbial 5 minutes.
Unless its something very special offered I would rather work the way ive worked for the last so many years, but i dont want to use windows either, which is why I think that there should be more software choice (be it free or shareware) on linux. Some people love the way the gimp works and feels, others dont. It seems to me that people just settle for the best thing available and religiously defend by scoffing at anyone who says they dont like it, rather than pushing for more variety (by supporting both free and non free software?),

Put it this way, I would love to delete the horrid virtual machine i have to start to do several things simply because theres no alternative (by my particular preference) available for linux & that dont run on wine. I would happily pay full price for a paintshop pro 9 clone.

[Ralphie]

I appreciate people sticking up for gimp, its an excellent program. But why should we have to get used to something? Some people like to work the way they have always worked when migrating. Take me, i do a fair bit of graphics work, things i can do fairly easilly and quickly in my known program. In gimp it takes me ages simply because things dont do what i expect (like the window increasing when zooming for example, in gimp, the window stays a thumbnail and i get scrollbars!?!!?) I dont want to retrain, i like to work the way ive worked for the last so many years, but i dont want to use windows either which is why I think that there should be more software choice (be it free or shareware) on linux. Some people love the way the gimp works and feels, others dont. It seems to me that people just settle for the best thing available and religiously defend it rather than pushing for more variety,

I agree with what your saying here, and perhaps another explanation might be some of these people ARE native GIMP users, hence, no problem with it.

Being a native Adobe user I find some things frustratingly different, and even more time consuming. something as simple as resizing an image has proven to be more of a task than it should.

Another nice thing about adobe is all of the programs in the CS act alike, where as you have to know different shortcuts for each program made by different people in these open source programs, just something else that sort of hinders a good workflow between apps.
I suppose all of this could be learned and grown accustom to, but when you've got it down, and it is very easy already, it is hard to want to change.

to tell you the truth I am probably a little biased anyways because i want to make good use of the money ive spent on adobe :)

[Paul820]

(like the window increasing when zooming for example, in gimp, the window stays a thumbnail and i get scrollbars!?!!?)

Gimp does resize the windows when zooming, you have to set it in the preferences.

[qamelian]

But still, interface aside, some need specific features. Any program that does offer them, ANY, cannot even be considered. Consider yourself lucky, I would actually like to save some money. PS is expensive, but usually well worth the cost when I compare my output to other programs.

I used GIMP when I only needed a program for web graphics. Now that I work with RAW images and advanced photo retouching using channels, layers and color modes, I can only used much more advanced programs. Thats why I compared a bike with a car. The difference is really that big.

Anyway, take a look at Krita.
So far, there is nothing that I can do in Photoshop that I can't do in GIMP. Co-workers try to challenge me with this all the time and they have yet to stymie me. The approach may be different in GIMP, but I still get it done. If you think something can't be done in GIMP, you just haven't learned how to to use the whole app yet.

[dgrafix]

Gimp does resize the windows when zooming, you have to set it in the preferences. thanks for that, thats one of my list of many changes i would like to see :) Its odd i havent seen that before :/
(mabe you can help me wth no 1. how on earth do i dock the tools on the side of the screen without having something dissapear under something else? the only semi-acceptable solution i have found is 'always on top')

So far, there is nothing that I can do in Photoshop that I can't do in GIMP. Co-workers try to challenge me with this all the time and they have yet to stymie me. The approach may be different in GIMP, but I still get it done. If you think something can't be done in GIMP, you just haven't learned how to to use the whole app yet. I dont think the argument here is weather the gimp is capable or not, it is, very capable. The argument is that the gimp FEELS horrible for people comming from industry standard packages such as PSP and PS. It really doesnt offer any more than these progs, so its easier to boot a VM or something rather than re-train themselves to use a program which while very capable, needs a big ergonomic learning curve away from the 'industry standard' and at the end of the day offers nothing more (except the price of course :) however id rather pay than compramise)

[Paul820]

I think you mean this. Set the windows to utility windows and click the checkbox next to focus. The tools palette and layers palette and any docks you open will stay above the image you are working on. If you get to know the shortcuts keys you can put the docks on one workspace and have the image you are working on on another. Everything is still available by right clicking on the main image window or from the menu bar at the top.

[dgrafix]

I do use that feature when using gimp, but it still isnt right.

Is it possible to get a layout like this, that behaves like this, that loads every time like this, without having to set it up each time and without the tools as a separate window, without using 'gimpshop' (which is about as stable as a card stack in an earthquake)?:
http://www.getpaint.net/screenshots/pdn26_seattle.jpg

Ive tried arranging the gimp windows just right, but it never seems to stay how i want it.

[potentia]

So far, there is nothing that I can do in Photoshop that I can't do in GIMP. Co-workers try to challenge me with this all the time and they have yet to stymie me. The approach may be different in GIMP, but I still get it done. If you think something can't be done in GIMP, you just haven't learned how to to use the whole app yet.

Hehe, dream on. Thats your situation. Not mine.

[dgrafix]

@paul820, i tried that zoom thing and it still gives me scrollbars and a thumbnail when using shift+mousewheel.

[Paul820]

If you have 'save window positions on exit' checked it will save those, even new dialogues that you have opened. As for the full screen window it won't save that as it's based on the size of the image you open or make. Docks can be arranged in hundreds of different ways, just rip them out and put them somewhere else.

[Paul820]

@paul820, i tried that zoom thing and it still gives me scrollbars and a thumbnail when using shift+mousewheel.

Use Ctrl+scroll wheel.

[MrGnu]

As a "Native" Photoshop user since 1997, The transition to the Gimp only took about 3 Months, And Yes our Business now uses Gimp exclusively (Gimp 2:4). In fact I have recently seen on this forum somebody got a real slagging off for using the gimp professionally. The author of the post that gave the slagging obviously isn't in any way a professional of any sorts!!

[dgrafix]

(i meant control :P) is it possible to just use mousewheel?

As a "Native" Photoshop user since 1997, The transition to the Gimp only took about 3 Months, And Yes our Business now uses Gimp exclusively (Gimp 2:4). In fact I have recently seen on this forum somebody got a real slagging off for using the gimp professionally. The author of the post that gave the slagging obviously isn't in any way a professional of any sorts!! Whos slagging? im not, the gimp IS a good bit o kit. I would love to be able to use it as easily as its competitors, unfortunately i barely have enough time to create let alone 480 man hours spare to learn it, as it is so.... 'quirky', and offers me no more than what i already have - except the fact i have to boot a VM.

[meho_r]

@mehro: I do deny that PS is best and I deny it vehemently. I find the PS interface to be clumsy and cluttered. I gets in the way of my work. The GIMP interface is much more flexible and let's me get on with my work. And despite occasional challenges from my "bet you can't do this with it" co-workers, I have never found any task that required me to revert to PS. In many cases, solutions I discovered or created in GIMP, worked as well or better than the equivalent in PS. Which is the better app is purely subjective. From where I sit, GIMP is many times superior to PS.

Nice :D

When I first installed Linux on my HD it last about 30 min then quick reformat, reinstall of Win and I said 'What a crap was that!' just because it was different of what I've been used to (Win). I'm so glad that I didn't give up at first impressions. Now I regret of those years spent with Win;) Same with GIMP -- first impression wasn't good because I was used to PS interface and 'logic'. But after some time spent reading I realized how nice and powerful app GIMP is. Well, for me, GIMP+Krita+Inkscape+Xara+Scribus and there's nothing that can't be done in graphics domain :D I like Adobe, but simply don't need it anymore...

[meho_r]

BTW, there's a veeeeery nice book about GIMP: ''Beginning GIMP - From novice to professional'', by Akkana Peck.

[Paul820]

As a "Native" Photoshop user since 1997, The transition to the Gimp only took about 3 Months, And Yes our Business now uses Gimp exclusively (Gimp 2:4). In fact I have recently seen on this forum somebody got a real slagging off for using the gimp professionally. The author of the post that gave the slagging obviously isn't in any way a professional of any sorts!!

It's nice to hear from someone who uses gimp in a professional environment.

[william_nbg]

This thread has gone from a Pixel promo spot to a Gimp vs Photoshop.

I work almost daily with Gimp. True, I'm a web designer for a small company and most of the graphics I have to do are for web sites, though I sometimes get asked to do small ad, business cards etc ...

It took me a few months to get used to the Gimp, but now, I'm very happy with the app and couldn't imagine going back to Photoshop.

And 2.4 is a great version.

I sometimes get large batches of pictures for galleries, and I've recently discovered Imagemagick for batch work. A great time saver.

[dgrafix]

This thread has gone from a Pixel promo spot to a Gimp vs Photoshop. well, it is 2 years old :-P

[Crafty Kisses]

GIMP still rocks!

[qamelian]

I dont think the argument here is weather the gimp is capable or not, it is, very capable. The argument is that the gimp FEELS horrible for people comming from industry standard packages such as PSP and PS. It really doesnt offer any more than these progs, so its easier to boot a VM or something rather than re-train themselves to use a program which while very capable, needs a big ergonomic learning curve away from the 'industry standard' and at the end of the day offers nothing more (except the price of course :) however id rather pay than compramise)

It never felt horrible to me. I have always found the GIMP interface to be more flexible and usable than PS. The PS interface is one of the most clumsy and uncomfortable ones I have ever used. I hated it so much that I was almost ready to get out of graphics work until I discovered GIMP. I continue trying PS on the workstations of other people, but it still feels like crap to me. If GIMP was commercial software, I would be happy to pay for it. I will never shell out a dime for PS because in my experience, it is not the right tool for me. I value the flexibility of GIMP far too much.

[dgrafix]

I guess its just a matter of taste, some like mayo, some like ketchup. Here is a list of things that really irritate me (and others) about it. Prehaps they can be easily fixed in settings (although i have not yet found a way):

the fact everything is in a separate window that do not behave as sub-windows from the same application should. For example, i have my icons squeezed on the leftt, the dock on the right, image in the middle. like this:http://d-grafix.com/temp/gimp.jpg. I taskswitch to another app and back to my image. where have my tools and dialogues gone? I have to click on them again in the taskbar to make them jump from behind the application i switched to before. (Please dont suggest gimpshop as it isnt stable, and isnt what i mean.)
when i create or load a new image it jumps to 0,0 on the screen over the tools, rather than docking it with the right side tools window, this means i have to drag the image and dock it manually "save window positions" seems to have no effect over this.
Brushes - this is the most frustrating thing for me. How do i change the brush size/hardness/density on the fly? The only way I have found to get round this is to manually create (and save) a new brush which is both time consuming and annoying rather than having the standard 3 sliders. Ie, if i want to make my brush exactly 75px 35%hard 75%density with 5% opacity (ok the opacity has a slider)
Text/Vector - How do i create a vector layer overlay that can be edited / changed?

[dmn_clown]

The author of the post that gave the slagging obviously isn't in any way a professional of any sorts!!

And your business obviously doesn't work on high end images or you wouldn't be using the GIMP. They've been working on the GEGL backend that will allow working on 16bpp images since 2000 and it still isn't out of the "hello world" stage.

Pixel has promise but isn't worth the price yet and its development is painfully slow.

[qamelian]

And your business obviously doesn't work on high end images or you wouldn't be using the GIMP. They've been working on the GEGL backend that will allow working on 16bpp images since 2000 and it still isn't out of the "hello world" stage.

Pixel has promise but isn't worth the price yet and its development is painfully slow.

You could be wrong. I know many professionals who "work on high end images" and they are using the GIMP. And as I mentioned in an earlier post, Linux Format magazine wrote up a few professional artists who favour the GIMP as well. These artists were not just using it out of some blind loyalty to F/OSS either. They each provided concrete reasons why, in their professional opinion, GIMP was a superior alternative for their work. One of them went so far as to explain why he felt the GIMP interface was better than Photoshop and gave examples of how it improves his work-flow.

[NoSmokingBandit]

I've tried to use the Gimp, but i find i just cant use it as smoothly as photoshop. A couple of things that are really easy in photoshop became a chore in the Gimp. I actually hate how everything is in a separate window. When i click on my pic all of a sudden the tools are gone and i have to go up to the taskbar to bring them back to the top so i can choose the next tool i want. I just find it very inefficient and it doesnt help me at all.

[qamelian]

I've tried to use the Gimp, but i find i just cant use it as smoothly as photoshop. A couple of things that are really easy in photoshop became a chore in the Gimp. I actually hate how everything is in a separate window. When i click on my pic all of a sudden the tools are gone and i have to go up to the taskbar to bring them back to the top so i can choose the next tool i want. I just find it very inefficient and it doesnt help me at all.

I hear that a lot, but in fact it's one of the things I like most about the GIMP. I find it vastly more efficient than the alternative in Photoshop. WIthin a couiple of months of switching from PS to GIMP, my productivity went up enough that I was able to increase my client-load by almost 20% without actually working anymore hours. That sounds efficient to me. But like I say: you have to take the time to learn to use it.

[dgrafix]

so anyone know what is the best answer to my brushes question on bottom of the previous page? this is one of the major things that puts me off using it. I really miss the simple brush tools of PSP. The interface dissapearing i guess i can live with if i knew the shortcuts, but using the brushes as is, to work efficiently is just impossible.

[junjan]

There's no way to compare last versions of Gimp or Pixel to Photoshop CS3. IMO, evolutionary speaking they are on totally different eras...;)

[MrGnu]

And your business obviously doesn't work on high end images or you wouldn't be using the GIMP. They've been working on the GEGL backend that will allow working on 16bpp images since 2000 and it still isn't out of the "hello world" stage.

Pixel has promise but isn't worth the price yet and its development is painfully slow.

And I assume that you are another "I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT PHOTOSHOP" type of disbelieving person??

Before you start making very unwise statements Just think about this...I HAVE BEEN USING PHOTOSHOP SINCE 1997 And yes WE LIKE USING GIMP.
If you don't like my statement then report it to the forum administrators. I really don't care, you can please yourself !!!!

You know that it's a Free world?? And If using the gimp for, dare I say it!!........... Professional Photography / Graphic Design / Web Development / Teaching etc, well what can I do??
I'm not here to appease you or any one else..

[qamelian]

There's no way to compare last versions of Gimp or Pixel to Photoshop CS3. IMO, evolutionary speaking they are on totally different eras...;)

Boy, this gets tiresome. They can be compared and some of us still find GIMP to be the better tool. I test every new version of PS that comes out and for me, GIMP still still trumps it every time. I still find CS3 to be very clumsy to use and it doesn't have one single feature that would compel me to choose it over the GIMP. Not one. If you like that is fine, but don't assume that it is the ultimate tool for everyone. It certainly doesn't meet my needs.

[junjan]

I still find CS3 to be very clumsy to use and it doesn't have one single feature that would compel me to choose it over the GIMP. Not one.

Perhaps we are using the software for different applications. I said IMO, perhaps I should say "in my work" (IMW exists?)

Then I rephrase myself, in my work Gimp is no use at all and It certainly doesn't meet my needs.

[Breepee]

Boy, this gets tiresome. They can be compared and some of us still find GIMP to be the better tool. I test every new version of PS that comes out and for me, GIMP still still trumps it every time. I still find CS3 to be very clumsy to use and it doesn't have one single feature that would compel me to choose it over the GIMP. Not one. If you like that is fine, but don't assume that it is the ultimate tool for everyone. It certainly doesn't meet my needs.

I would say that nondestructive adjustment layers are a _very_ usefull feature. They make life so much better, it's a shame the Gimp hasn't have this yet.

[dgrafix]

i will take that as a no then (to my questions @bottom, page 36). :(

Virtual machine paintshop pro it is for now then. I will be keeping my eye on gimp though and may start using it when they improve the brushes interface & window management.

[rsambuca]

i will take that as a no then (to my questions @bottom, page 36). :(

Virtual machine paintshop pro it is for now then. I will be keeping my eye on gimp though and may start using it when they improve the brushes interface & window management.

What post number are you talking about? I have my settings different so I only have 10 pages currently in this thread.

[k99goran]

And I assume that you are another "I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT PHOTOSHOP" type of disbelieving person??

Before you start making very unwise statements Just think about this...I HAVE BEEN USING PHOTOSHOP SINCE 1997 And yes WE LIKE USING GIMP.
If you don't like my statement then report it to the forum administrators. I really don't care, you can please yourself !!!!

You know that it's a Free world?? And If using the gimp for, dare I say it!!........... Professional Photography / Graphic Design / Web Development / Teaching etc, well what can I do??
I'm not here to appease you or any one else..
You really should have checked the expiration date on that milk carton.

Any guesses of how long it will take until GIMP 2.6 is released?
Reluctant UI improvements + GEGL vaporware = 3 years? 6 years?

[dgrafix]

What post number are you talking about? I have my settings different so I only have 10 pages currently in this thread.

That would be this one, quamilian said that he can do everything in gimp that can be done in paintshop and photoshop. I was just wondering how he manages the following:


I guess its just a matter of taste, some like mayo, some like ketchup. Here is a list of things that really irritate me (and others) about it. Prehaps they can be easily fixed in settings (although i have not yet found a way):

-Brushes - this is the most frustrating thing for me. How do i change the brush size/hardness/density on the fly? The only way I have found to get round this is to manually create (and save) a new brush which is both time consuming and annoying rather than having the standard 3 sliders. Ie, if i want to make my brush exactly 75px 35%hard 75%density with 5% opacity (ok the opacity has a slider) but to do the others i have to create and save a new brush!?!?!
-the fact everything is in a separate window that do not behave as sub-windows from the same application should. For example, i have my icons squeezed on the leftt, the dock on the right, image in the middle. like this:http://d-grafix.com/temp/gimp.jpg. I taskswitch to another app and back to my image. where have my tools and dialogues gone? I have to click on them again in the taskbar to make them jump from behind the application i switched to before. (Please dont suggest gimpshop as it isnt stable, and isnt what i mean.)
-when i create or load a new image it jumps to 0,0 on the screen over the tools, rather than docking it with the right side tools window, this means i have to drag the image and dock it manually "save window positions" seems to have no effect over this.
-Text/Vector - How do i create a vector layer overlay that can be edited / changed?

There are many others but these are the main things that prevent me using it as a regular paint app. (I use it sometimes but mainly as a imaging tool, not as a paint package as i find it too long winded)

PS: how do you set up how many posts on a page, i only get like six or something.

[jrusso2]

Its in User CP, edit options, the default is 6 I per page I believe.

[dgrafix]

Thanks, thats better :)

You know that it's a Free world?? And If using the gimp for, dare I say it!!........... Professional Photography / Graphic Design / Web Development / Teaching etc, well what can I do??
I'm not here to appease you or any one else.. Exactly, linux is a free world but with no or limited choice (where apps are concerned). Which is why there needs to be less "PooPooing" of independent-commercial software by the linux hardcore to encourage development of alternatives like pixel. Several people arguing for gimp here last used PS/PSP when? 1997? 2002? thats 5-11 Years ago. The modern versions of these apps are not even in the the same class, let alone the same division. Gimp IS a 'useable' alternative, but my point is its the ONLY useable alternative and is not to everyones taste.

[rsambuca]

That would be this one, quamilian said that he can do everything in gimp that can be done in paintshop and photoshop. I was just wondering how he manages the following:


There are many others but these are the main things that prevent me using it as a regular paint app. (I use it sometimes but mainly as a imaging tool, not as a paint package as i find it too long winded)

PS: how do you set up how many posts on a page, i only get like six or something.

What version of gimp have you tried? The newest version has a slider for the brush sizes (finally!).

[dgrafix]

Im using the latest one i think. Its got a brush scale slider (a definte step in the right direction) but not an actual dynamic true-size adjustment. Also there seems to be no way of easily controling the brush hardness and density (without creating a new brush from scratch).

[[Alsharifi]]

please change the second screen shot as well. i wanna look at the interface but i can't since the hot naked (well 99% naked anyways )chick keeps getting in the way.
do you think i can open that in school



the freaking point is not what you can do with a skin but how badly it reflects on you if that image opens in the library or in school or at work.
also don't even talk about what someone might do with a bit of skin since clearly you weren't DOING anything modifying a girls picture *wink wink

yea i just got in trouble for opening that in school!


anyways..When i read " i cant use gimp"..i just stopped reading.

if u cant use gimp (after actually trying) then there is no program that i can suggest.seem like compete user error..lack of talent..?

and if u REALLY want a "true photoshop alternative" i hope u dont find it on linux...were not trying to clone windows,GIMP is linux,u want photoshop dual boot windows and problem solved.

[potentia]

;3724698']yea i just got in trouble for opening that in school!

anyways..When i read " i cant use gimp"..i just stopped reading.

if u cant use gimp (after actually trying) then there is no program that i can suggest.seem like compete user error..lack of talent..?

and if u REALLY want a "true photoshop alternative" i hope u dont find it on linux...were not trying to clone windows,GIMP is linux,u want photoshop dual boot windows and problem solved.

You think of Linux and open source as a cult and an ideology, don't you? Guys like you are probably the main reason why Linux will never gain more users, so congratulations on that: you shoot yourself in the feet every time you post nonsense like that. Fanaticism certainly isn't the way forward.

Lack of talent... you should eat those words again! Lack of knowledge is you problem. You sound young so you have time to get it, but open your eyes and ears... and don't just support open source but also and open MIND!

[doppis]

Whynot take the time to really get familiar with gimp and be done with it? Everyone knows that it is better.

[meho_r]

Im using the latest one i think. Its got a brush scale slider (a definte step in the right direction) but not an actual dynamic true-size adjustment. Also there seems to be no way of easily controling the brush hardness and density (without creating a new brush from scratch).

Well, if you need resizable default set of brushes (but this is not true for EVERY brush, only .gbr, keep in mind) you can always move them from Gimp brushes folder (/usr/share/gimp/2.0/brushes) to your user-preferences folder (/home/<user>/.gimp2.4/brushes) and change permissions. For easy change of size, hardness and other things -- change shortcuts and use your mouse wheel. This way you don't need to create brushes from scratch ;)

[dgrafix]

Well, if you need resizable default set of brushes (but this is not true for EVERY brush, only .gbr, keep in mind) you can always move them from Gimp brushes folder (/usr/share/gimp/2.0/brushes) to your user-preferences folder (/home/<user>/.gimp2.4/brushes) and change permissions. For easy change of size, hardness and other things -- change shortcuts and use your mouse wheel. This way you don't need to create brushes from scratch ;)

Good to know thanks :)

(I would still prefer a set o sliders.tho )

You think of Linux and open source as a cult and an ideology, don't you? Guys like you are probably the main reason why Linux will never gain more users, so congratulations on that: you shoot yourself in the feet every time you post nonsense like that. Fanaticism certainly isn't the way forward.

Lack of talent... you should eat those words again! Lack of knowledge is you problem. You sound young so you have time to get it, but open your eyes and ears... and don't just support open source but also and open MIND! AMEN! I feel that way too. I fully support the ideology, just not the fanaticism. I love the idea of open source and support it by donating, buying manuals etc, but what people have to realize is very few developers have the resources to produce something for 'free' (me included, i have a family to feed!), people behind products like gimp, ubuntu, open office etc make a lot of money in other ways simply by having so many resources. Put it this way if it carries on with just a few big companies doing this stuff then it ends up being no better than the microsoft, adobe etc monopolies on the windows side of the fence, but without the alternatives!. I think attitudes are thankfully changing and everyone I know who uses linux support both open source and small time commercial stuff. Linux stands for freedom of choice, but what does that mean when there is no choice?

were not trying to clone windows,GIMP is linux,u want photoshop dual boot windows and problem solved
To say Gimp is linux is preposterous. Linux is an operating system and gimp is a cross platform(inc. windows) paint package, created by two completely separate entities. Anyway, apart from the fact photoshop only runs on windows and OSX whats it got to do with windows anyway? We dont want a windows clone, or a photoshop clone, just a paint program thats not only powerful but has more industry standard interfaces that will actually attract people to linux not put them off saying "is that all there is?". Which to be honest im tired of hearing from people. This whole thread is starting to sound like "This is the best you get on linux, deal with it!".

Whynot take the time to really get familiar with gimp and be done with it? Everyone knows that it is better.I have been on and off for almost 2 years and after a lot of frustration, said to myself "what the hell am i doing, forcing myself to love this when i simply don't like it" Comments like that are like nagging someone to eat blue cheese until they get used to it. Some people never will. Its not better not to everyone, its very capable, powerful but i would simply say its different from the norm, quirky if you will, but to say its better is simply untrue when PSP and PS do everything gimp does (and more)

[gruvsyco]

Whynot take the time to really get familiar with gimp and be done with it? Everyone thinks that it is better.

Whynot take the time to really get familiar with Photoshop and be done with it? Everyone knows that it is better.

2 available fixes, take your pick!

[potentia]

Whynot take the time to really get familiar with gimp and be done with it? Everyone knows that it is better.

Better? Rubbish. I did. I have used GIMP for web graphics for 3 years when nothing else was available. Feature wise GIMP is inferiour to Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3.

I suggest you guys understand what other people than yourself need. Check out the GEGL project. PS could all this for years, GIMP cannot. I repeat.... CAN NOT DO IT! When GEGL is implemented (and if the output matches professional standards) then we can continue this thread, but until then the GIMP is a joke for professional photographers.

End of story. This thread is a circus for people what wants to defend their favorite software, but you have to be in sync with reality to be able to COMPARE! All you guys shouting that "GIMP is better" doesn't make it better. It is a ridiculous claim. Ridiculous!

You want... you WANT... Linux to be as good as anything else and engage in these discussions like you were defending your kid or your god. It would make more sense to improve the product instead so your dream could actually be realized.

This discussion is futile. I suggest you all work with the ADVANCED (16-bit and 32-bit) features in Photoshop for some years and then return to the GIMP. Feature after feature is just not available in GIMP. It is a fact.

Anyway, it really doesn't matter what is written in this forum. Professionals don't use GIMP and they won't before it can compete. Lets see what the GEGL project can contribute with and WHEN. I certainly prefer paying the price for Photoshop than to wait for further 2-3 years until something is available. Some of us actually use the software and our computer for professional work. When we are in Windows/OS X.

Goodbye.

[bullgr]

i post in this threat about 6 months ago...
And now i am reading the same things.
This threat is useless, we say the same things with other words, this will never stop.
it's like the dog hunting his tail. He will never cach his tail.

The fact is that photoshop is for pro's to do they job. For home use, gimp is good. It's free and you don't have to pay 600-700$ for photoshop to retouch the home fotos.
But gimp for pro use... forget it. And if someone says "i am pro and i use gimp" i would like to see his job. Because everyone can say "i am pro", but who is really a good pro? In my working environment (i am working as graphic designer the last 5 years) i saw many "pro's" (at least they believe that they are).
And for Pixel, it's a joke. It was supposed to released in 2005 and we are in 2007 and it's still not released. It's a not working clone of photoshop and thus it will remain.

Ups... you see? I fall in the trap again and i wrote se same things (whith other words) in this threat like 6 months ago.
You see? It's pointless to post in this threat. This is the unending story, like caching the dogtail.

[dgrafix]

To be fair, it does depend what you mean by professional though. Im 'professional' as i get paid for doing things and sometimes use gimp for simple tasks (when i cannot be bothered to start virtual machine), but i dont deal with photography/deepcolor very much, so dont need overkill photo tools - which is why my favorite is Paintshop Pro, as i think it feels more of an 'art package' than actual hardcore 'photo editing app' (even though both apps have elements of both).

For creating textures for 3d models, basic web graphics and generic digital artwork gimp is plenty powerful enough, its just uncomfortable, fiddily and unfamiliar to use for many people. Because of this so many linux users are screaming for more app choice and appreciate programs that offer alternatives (like pixel - its a good attempt, at least its offering an alternative, who knows mabe it will be great when finally finished).

Rant "gimp is great" religiously all you like but i prefer freedom of choice. I know how i like it to be and gimp isnt it.
-I choose linux because i believe its a fantastic OS and is superior in many ways to all others.
-I choose Blender over AC3D, Maya, 3DSM & truespace, because i prefer it and it does what i need without overkill.
-I choose OO.O over MSO & corel because i prefer it.
-I choose PSP over gimp AND photoshop because i prefer it. Unfortunately there is no decent naitive free or commercial alternatives (except WIP pixel)

[Mellowdrone]

I've never understood such a misguided bunch of opinionated nonsense as threads like these tend to present. I've wholeheartedly been a believer in using what is most comfortable for you, what is most electric for you, and outrightly so, what is most perfect for you in your particular situation. While the GIMP is an admirable alternative, there are some folks who simply prefer using Adobe Photoshop. Admittedly, I'm one of those people. However, I'm not going to try to smash your opinion if you're one of the followers of the GIMP. Simply put, I don't understand this insulting ideology; it's deconstructive to the process, not constructive.

I congratulate the Wine crew for getting things on a roll as they have with Adobe Photoshop 7 and CS2 as of the most recent. Furthermore, I congratulate GIMP for being as far in the developmental process as they are in such a relatively short period of program development. I congratulate the development of Pixel, albeit it's relative young age in terms of the other two. But just because I congratulate all three of these things doesn't mean I see any one of them to be a perfect solution to every problem - if you do, your debated point is rather foolish. Photoshop has it's drawbacks (Wine certainly doesn't help matters), the GIMP has it's drawbacks, and Pixel due to it's beta stage certainly has it's drawbacks, but this doesn't mean any one of them can't be used for a certain process we'll tend to use it for.

If you believe with heartfelt notions that the GIMP is a primary source of your photography enjoyment, donate your time to the project, your cash ($), your proposed code, something. Such a request remains much the same in regards to Wine and Adobe Photoshop (buying the product w/ Linux requests, helping the Wine team by a donation or submitted code) as well as Pixel (buying the product, making suggestions, donating to the cause). I just don't get the useless debate here, because all it's doing is blowing a text-based hot air over a program or three from one screen to another.

[jorgerosa]

Hello all. I think you guys are mising one simple thing here, that is an simple and REAL solution! ;)
Author wrote: "primary purpose is to make users of Photoshop feel comfortable using GIMP" - Link: http://www.gimpshop.com/ (http://www.gimpshop.com/)

[Samhain13]

I've never understood such a misguided bunch of opinionated nonsense as threads like these tend to present. I've wholeheartedly been a believer in using what is most comfortable for you, what is most electric for you, and outrightly so, what is most perfect for you in your particular situation. While the GIMP is an admirable alternative, there are some folks who simply prefer using Adobe Photoshop. Admittedly, I'm one of those people. However, I'm not going to try to smash your opinion if you're one of the followers of the GIMP. Simply put, I don't understand this insulting ideology; it's deconstructive to the process, not constructive.

+1 (my emphasis)

I agree with everything said above. Although I am one of those people in the other side-- GIMP follower. :)

If some people say they can only do certain, necessary things in Photoshop, others shouldn't have a problem with that. Conversely, if other people say they don't have a problem accomplishing the same necessary things in the GIMP, then the other camp shouldn't have a problem too. This thread just does the opposite: it encourages one user to make it his/her problem what the other user can do using another application.

We shouldn't even be wasting all this time pointing out what the other guy can and can't do and then waste more time refuting those statements. It doesn't make sense.

If any one wants to really prove how good they are with what they do, then by all means USE THE GALLERY. If there are others who think they can do a better job, then USE THE GALLERY also. Post your works and let them do the talking because at the end of the day, what makes one a true professional is what one can actually produce-- not what one uses to produce anything.

People don't pay you real money because of the applications that you use. People pay you real money for what you can actually give them.

[dgrafix]

I've never understood such a misguided bunch of opinionated nonsense as threads like these tend to present. I've wholeheartedly been a believer in using what is most comfortable for you, what is most electric for you, and outrightly so, what is most perfect for you in your particular situation. While the GIMP is an admirable alternative, there are some folks who simply prefer using Adobe Photoshop. Admittedly, I'm one of those people. However, I'm not going to try to smash your opinion if you're one of the followers of the GIMP. Simply put, I don't understand this insulting ideology; it's deconstructive to the process, not constructive.
Ill drink to that. My original argument in this whole thread has been about the need software choice, which i believe requires the community to support both Oss and non-monopolistic commercial apps, if linux is to ever going to convince the majority of the PC owning public that its a useable alternative. It was not aimed at dissing anyones fave app.. Although the masses of "You will use the gimp and like it!!!" style posts kind of lead me to give my honest personal opinion.

It seems to me as soon as someone says an open source product isnt as good as a commercial one in some way, it leads to the software equivalent of brainwashed fanatics screaming "heretic!" (I am not refering to the people who genuinely tried to simply offer helpful tips for using the program, i mean the 'other' sort, who fanatically 'poohpooh' any critique or suggestion of a commercial alternative) This kind of ideology scares most developers off creating more (freedom of?) choice for linux.


To me they sound as fanatical and closed minded as this guy:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wvsboPUjrGc

And heres the 'remix' ;) (to lighten the mood a bit :))
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KMU0tzLwhbE

[Annigma]

Well I've been happy with my PSP7 for quite some time now, and have been kind of 'sulking' that it has *spits*windows*spits* listed on the box as one of it's requirements.

I've opened up GIMP a couple of times and had a very half-hearted attempt at seeing if I could use it, then closed it, still wallowing in my grumpiness at it for not being just like what I'm used to (PSP). Then.. the other day, I decided to stop being so stubborn and have a 'proper' go at it.. well, I managed to make an avatar that I'm pretty pleased with, and whilst I was at it I thought I'd make a more 'Fawny' kind of one for here, since the 'Badger' one wasn't right - I never even installed Badger.

<-- It's not exactly graphical manipulation at it's finest, but I'm pleased with it: mostly because when I stopped being silly and gave it a chance, I was pleasantly surprised to find that 'Gimpy' could do many of the things that I could do in PSP (not exactly an expert user :redface:) and even more pleasantly surprised at how simple it was to discover how to do them in GIMP! :)

Anyway, enough rambling. I just wanted to say that if there's a competitive program out there that might help some people move from *spits*windows*spits* to Linux, then BRING IT ON!

=D>

[flapane]

Did anyone manage to install it on 6.10? it gives me dependencies issues with last .deb:

Spacchetto pixeldemo (da pixeldemo_1.0.699-1_i386.deb) ...
dpkg: problemi con le dipendenze impediscono la configurazione di pixeldemo:
pixeldemo dipende da libc6 (>= 2.6-1); comunque:
La versione di libc6 sul sistema è 2.4-1ubuntu12.3.
pixeldemo dipende da libfreetype6 (>= 2.3.5); comunque:
La versione di libfreetype6 sul sistema è 2.2.1-5ubuntu0.2.
pixeldemo dipende da libpng12-0 (>= 1.2.13-4); comunque:
La versione di libpng12-0 sul sistema è 1.2.8rel-5.1ubuntu0.3.
pixeldemo dipende da zlib1g (>= 1:1.2.3.3.dfsg-1); comunque:
La versione di zlib1g sul sistema è 1:1.2.3-13ubuntu2.
dpkg: errore processando pixeldemo (--install):
problemi con le dipendenze - lasciato non configurato
Sono occorsi degli errori processando:
pixeldemo

[meborc]

Did anyone manage to install it on 6.10? it gives me dependencies issues with last .deb:

Spacchetto pixeldemo (da pixeldemo_1.0.699-1_i386.deb) ...
dpkg: problemi con le dipendenze impediscono la configurazione di pixeldemo:
pixeldemo dipende da libc6 (>= 2.6-1); comunque:
La versione di libc6 sul sistema è 2.4-1ubuntu12.3.
pixeldemo dipende da libfreetype6 (>= 2.3.5); comunque:
La versione di libfreetype6 sul sistema è 2.2.1-5ubuntu0.2.
pixeldemo dipende da libpng12-0 (>= 1.2.13-4); comunque:
La versione di libpng12-0 sul sistema è 1.2.8rel-5.1ubuntu0.3.
pixeldemo dipende da zlib1g (>= 1:1.2.3.3.dfsg-1); comunque:
La versione di zlib1g sul sistema è 1:1.2.3-13ubuntu2.
dpkg: errore processando pixeldemo (--install):
problemi con le dipendenze - lasciato non configurato
Sono occorsi degli errori processando:
pixeldemo

the command 'sudo apt-get -f install' usually fixes the dependency issues

[flapane]

I solved by installing the tar.gz file.

[SyCo123]

I've been told that text boxes cant be dynamically resized in the GIMP, If they can I can't figure out how.

This means if I change the layout while designing a site I have to hit enter where every new line break should be every time I try a new text box layout. I should be ale to pick up the corner of the box and drag it to any shape and have the text realign to fit.

I'm not a GIMP basher but I am Photoshop lover. I've written a set of comparison tutorials available as a free ebook on goingmanual.com (http://goingmanual.com) And I praise the GIMP highly for photo manipulation work. It really is great.

I've used GIMP on an off since before you could dynamically edit text (in 2000), that was a major hassle compared to PS6 now I am finding the text area resizing issue to be so bad I'm back to PS again.

Basically for photo editing it is a very useful program, especially on the road. For graphical design it is still lacking. Sorry but that's my unbiased opinion and I hope GIMP continues to improve, as I sure it will.

[svnstrng]

You post highly critical comments but when someone else posts their point of view you act like they did something wrong.
Thin skinned and highly accusatory don't go well together.

[darolu]

It looks very similar to Adobe Photoshop® but is not free software, not even open source so no thank you, I vote GIMP, is very very good in some aspects even superior to Adobe Photoshop® and is free software which I support :)

[Lord DarkPat]

I'm happy with PS 7.0 in crossover, but I really wish I could have CS2. I own both.

[dmn_clown]

I'm happy with PS 7.0 in crossover, but I really wish I could have CS2. I own both.

Wine 0.9.54 fixed the issues with CS2 (except the price).

[eagledrc]

Gimp does not beat Photoshop CS3. I did some major print jobs on the Gimp before I was able to buy Photoshop. Photoshop does things in less than a minute that would take the Gimp 10 minutes to do. (Outer glow, gradient overlay, etc) Don't get me wrong - I love the Gimp, but I save time by working on Photoshop, and it can do everything that the Gimp can do.
Pixel is decent, like Krita, but as long as it doesn't have layer effects, I'm using VirtualBox for Photoshop CS3 on XP.

If anyone is wondering, VISTA SUCKS!

[Sean4000]

It's so sad that Pixel is dead on the vine. I had high hopes that is would officially be Photoshop for Linux.

I use GIMP, UFRAW, F-SPOT, and Pixel's last version and It's completely fine for me as a photographer.

http://pihelper.com/SeanPhoto.htm

The GIMPrepository allows access to hundreds of plugins, filters, etc. All completely free. Not having a tool in Photoshop available in GIMP has never been an issue.

[jrusso2]

It's so sad that Pixel is dead on the vine. I had high hopes that is would officially be Photoshop for Linux.

I use GIMP, UFRAW, F-SPOT, and Pixel's last version and It's completely fine for me as a photographer.

http://pihelper.com/SeanPhoto.htm

The GIMPrepository allows access to hundreds of plugins, filters, etc. All completely free. Not having a tool in Photoshop available in GIMP has never been an issue.

Why do you say pixel is dead on the vine. It appears to be close to being final?

[Sean4000]

Why do you say pixel is dead on the vine. It appears to be close to being final?

I guess I should go to the site more often. lol. I hadn't been there in a long time.

It looks like it might happen sometime.

[dgrafix]

I finally got some kind of option in the end.

I have managed to get PSP 7 & 9 working with wine (needs a few DLLs copying from a windows intallation after running the installer that crashes - but still installs the app).

It works 100% except for some reason "save" doesnt work but "save as" works fine.

This is great for me as i can do my actual artwork in PSP which is my favorite art app anyway. I sometimes use GIMP for the filters and certain things but I cannot get used to the interface for drawing with (the brushes & layer interface is awful compared to PSP, theres no vector capability and no re-editable text)

Its such a shame there is no real native alternative other than gimp though. Unless pixel gets going of course.

[Zeotronic]

I refused to try proprietary software, however I also detest GIMP. Regardless of either, this program looks almost as bad as GIMP. I only keep GIMP because it can use such a wide variety of formats, though I rarely find myself using it. I more often use Kolour Paint and MTPaint.

Edit:
Oh and Inkscape! Lets not forget about Inkscape.

[Dr.Ninethousand]

I've been using Pixel for a couple of weeks, and I like it a lot..

I haven't paid for it, so I get the watermark and can't print, but it seems to have some things going for it that GIMP does not, and I like the layout.. as far as I know GIMP doesn't support CMYK for printing, and I could never get GIMP to even print for me actually.. (not that I've been able to print with Pixel, either, due to it only being the demo)

I'm not going to comment on my pro-capitalist ideas here.. I didn't bring my tard helmet for the nerd fight..

Anyway, if you are having trouble installing Pixel in 64bit Kubuntu or similar, as is common, check out this thread, which includes a link to some of the missing libraries that I couldn't find anywhere else: LINK (http://www.pixelcommunity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=139&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=871c24f320d00c54abdbf79120ed78a1#p765)

[etusha]

hello
all
im new in Art & Design
for me u can say every thing but photoshop is the best for the moment
because it have a lot of tools and tutorials

i dont understand something
why programmers dont work all together and create a big thing super program
but work separate and dont create nothing
for exmaple cinepaint gimp pixel etc why they dont work together
im sure if they work together no one can beat them
same thing for virtualbox and qemu
and more and more
brothers work together if u work together u can do good things

[XSP]

Because competition breeds innovation while singularity leads to stagnation. Having a diverse set of options fuels developers to match, if not surpass his or her competitor.

[etusha]

for example
if in ard & design are about 1000 programmers and 100 programs its proximately 10 programmers for a programs that have to write more than 100.000 line of code proximately 10.000 line for man

but if they work all together 1000programmers X5000 line of code= 5.000.000 line of code
all they work less and do e big job

concurrence for free programs is waste of time

[william_nbg]

Most of us are here because of two things:

Choice & Freedom

Otherwise we would be boring Mac or MS Wimpow users.

Besides: I used, Photoshop for 5 years before switching to Linux and Gimp. Sure, at first it was annoying. I just wanted to get some work done and not relearn all of my applications. But after 6 months of learning-by-doing, on line tutorials, and a book or two, I wouldn't go back.

I love my Gimp. I couldn't even tell you why I like it better than Photoshop. Maybe: for web design (my job) - it just fits the bill better than others.

Although I prefer Gnome - Quanta + is also one of my most used and favorite apps.

For many folks I've spoke with. Switching can be a bitch. Changing your OS, together with most of your apps is a lot of work. OK, sometimes, the discovery part was fun. But it's a lot of work.

And I'd never go back!

[dmn_clown]

Because competition breeds innovation while singularity leads to stagnation. Having a diverse set of options fuels developers to match, if not surpass his or her competitor.

Yes and no, the only reason cinepaint exists today is due to a (bad) decision by the gimp developers when handed patches that allowed the gimp to handle 16+32bpp images.

In short, its all about politics.

[lingnoi]

I don't think you can really see the power of gimp unless you're an expert. Here are some videos, but even these don't do it justice..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Pj8OkdNi1M
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O30sFV0BzGA

[CaptainCabinet]

I don't think you can really see the power of gimp unless you're an expert. Here are some videos, but even these don't do it justice..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Pj8OkdNi1M
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O30sFV0BzGA

I think everyone can see Gimp is a great program. It's just the people who are tied to Photoshop and don't want to admit it's a pefectly fine alternative (for whatever reason).
I used to use Photoshop all time when I used Window$. But now that I'm a Linux follower I can see now that Gimp is better because it gets more updates and is community driven. That way the users of it really get what they want out of it.

[etusha]

any good site that have tutorials about cinepaint gimp and kompozer ?

[st0n3cutt3r]

Before I say anything else, I'll say that I learned image editing on gimp, then learned photoshop and used it for the next 7 years.

Going back to the gimp is not easy. I acknowledge that I can change my keyboard shortcuts, and reconfigure it to work how I'm used to with (v) selecting the move tool instead of (m), and so on, but that still doesn't change the dozens of other things about it that are varying degrees of annoying.

Yes, the gimp is a great program, but if you're used to something else, it can be very hard. Let's give him a break, hmm? (except for the getting-us-excited-about-something-that-turned-out-to-be-shareware part... he can go to h*ll for that. hahaha just kidding ;) )

[lingnoi]

You can use Photoshop CS2 on Linux now btw via wine.

[newbieforever]

well, windows is difficult... linux a little more by some point of view...
but i chose lin cause i can see what is there inside: text file to configure all the system... something that i don't know yet, but i think i would understand...
the same photoshop is difficult, gimp a little more, but is open and give you more flexibility...

and if someone search a more "photoshop like" raster editing application, well we could consider...

- krita (fine reviews)
- gimpshop...

we can also search other software to try through http://www.linuxappfinder.com
--> under alternatives one search the windows software and can find many linux software doing the same things, more or less, may be...

may be someone find them friendlier...
i often choose gimp, anyway... funny! (consider that in 2005, first post, gimp was harder to use...)
but not always... i jump from one to another according my target, my needs, my delivery time...
i tried all them and others, (not pixel: no source, no chances), for work and fun, actually krita is the fastest, but not so extensible

krita is so kind to suggest you other similar software for different needs...

[Railsbuntu]

Gimp cannot replace Photoshop for at least one reason: Layer Styles and especially the layer gradient.

I have been unable to mimic Photoshop's feature. Without that, it is almost impossible to create decent Vector composition that are so much in vogue at the moment.

If anyone knows how to do that perfectly with Gimp, please let me know. I found workarounds but they are ugly.

[natehall]

Do you know how to use the mask function? Its gives super control over how you want the transparency of an image to be.

[Railsbuntu]

Challenge time!

Using this stock image I have created:
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2145/stockso4.png

You have to turn it into something that looks like this:
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5089/gradientyv6.png

This is the very base of Vector Composition, and I am incapable of doing this in Gimp. So if you manage to do it, please let me know the steps. :KS

[Artificial Intelligence]

Done

[smartboyathome]

I'm done too. Mine is smooth like the intended look-a-like. Done with GIMP. :)

To do it, first erase the white by going to Layers > Transparency > Color to Alpha, and get rid of the white. Then select the transparent areas (represented by a light-and-dark gray checkerboard background, and push control+i. Lock the transparency using the layer palette (control+l), and then use the gradient tool to make the gradient.

[Artificial Intelligence]

yeah, I just went 2 secs of select all black color and then gradient tool., so it might not be smooth, but quite good for 2 secs.
I could have also choosen to select the "grey" color to get the smooth, but I'm lazy and have a board to mod :P

[Railsbuntu]

Currently downloading Gimp... :mrgreen:

Thanks for your tip

EDIT:
yeah, I just went 2 secs of select all black color and then gradient tool., so it might not be smooth, but quite good for 2 secs.
I could have also choosen to select the "grey" color to get the smooth, but I'm lazy and have a board to mod :P
That's not acceptable, I just noticed that on the yellow part of your circle, the is a slight darkish border which doesn't look nice.

I will try by myself smartboyathome's solution.

EDIT: crap! On my desktop computer (Mac OsX), to install Gimp, I need to install X11. Gimp is out of the game for me sorry.

[BrokeBody]

Err... Isn't this easier to do with Inkscape?

[whiteraven]

Simple:
1) Open the black and white image in GIMP
2) Set the fore ground color to cyan, and the background layer to blue, or get the colors from your image using the eyedropper tool.
3) Create a new layer, call it New Layer if you like.
4) Fill the layer using the gradient in linear mode starting at the top of the circles, ending at the bottom of the circles.
5) Change the layer mode to Lighten only.

Tip: Invert the New Layer colors to get the orange tinting.

Done!

[Railsbuntu]

It still doesn't work, I always get a darkish border in the Gimp version.

Here is a side by side example. The circle on the left was created with PS, the one on the right was created with Gimp following whiteraven tip. You clearly see the quality difference (even dezoomed). On white background you don't notice it much, but on other colours and different shapes you can't miss it. I tried using masks, shrinking/growing selections, it doesn't work.
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1244/dualvr0.png

I never actually ran across a Gimp Vector Composition tutorial...

Inkscape... I keep banging my head while using it: gradients are a pain to make, and there is no custom colours swatches :mad:

[Railsbuntu]

I'm done too. Mine is smooth like the intended look-a-like. Done with GIMP. :)

To do it, first erase the white by going to Layers > Transparency > Color to Alpha, and get rid of the white. Then select the transparent areas (represented by a light-and-dark gray checkerboard background, and push control+i. Lock the transparency using the layer palette (control+l), and then use the gradient tool to make the gradient.

Hi, how do you select the transparent areas? you use the tragic wand?

I tried doing so, the circle border is neat, but it is pixelated.

[smartboyathome]

You select them with the magic wand, pushing shift in between to select more than one. I would strongly urge you to try all the steps I outlined in my steps above, and add the white back in later. It should get rid of that black border.

[Railsbuntu]

Using the wand requires a compromise:

1) Increase threshold to remove the border, but the drawback is that the shapes gets pixelated.

2) Decrease the threshold to keep the borders anti-aliased but this brings back the border.

[rsambuca]

You guys, Gimp isn't a vector based program. It is a tremendous program, but it isn't for scalable vector images. For that you should be using Inkscape, or Xara...

[whiteraven]

You guys, Gimp isn't a vector based program. It is a tremendous program, but it isn't for scalable vector images. For that you should be using Inkscape, or Xara...

Well said! If you are going to create raster images in GIMP (or Photoshop for that matter) and then scale them, you are going to have issues no matter what. As far as the Photoshop version, I see cyan bleeding at the edges of the blue perimeters - just the nature of the beast. O' course, for my money I'll go with GIMP anyday.

[Railsbuntu]

You guys, Gimp isn't a vector based program. It is a tremendous program, but it isn't for scalable vector images. For that you should be using Inkscape, or Xara...
In Vector composition, at some point in time you need to import your vector shapes in a raster app let it be Gimp or Photoshop.

Creating nice gradients on a shape is simply not possible with Gimp. I don't see myself creating a "gradiented" shape in Inkscape then import it in Gimp, to see that the colors don't fit in well, then reopen Inkscape to change the gradient, then reimport in Gimp, this is too time consuming.

Well I'll keep my old PS7 for now.

[rsambuca]

Creating nice gradients on a shape is simply not possible with Gimp.

Just because you don't know how to do something does not mean that it isn't possible. :)

[suchawato]

And yes,
Pixel is much more advanced than Gimp.
You know,
There's nothing wrong with something being closed source.
And there's nothing wrong with paying for software.

Paying for software means that people can do this for a living.

Do it for a living!

Develop software and do what you love, and get paid for it!
A salary that you can use to support your family or life!

I mean, if Photoshop was open source, most of the people on the Photoshop development team would be quickly without a job.
Which means they'd have to find new jobs elsewhere.
This would be bad for the economy as it would create unemployment.

If people like Richard Stallman had their way, we would all have free and open source software.

I agree that some things should be open source, but not everything.
If everything was open source, there would be a fraction of the software industry that we have today.

Hardly anyone would get paid, jobs would be lost, and most software developers would end up having to work at non-profits for a fraction of their currents salary if they worked in the field at all.

They would be turned into somthing like librarians being paid a small salary by their city to maintain the local software.

And the old money people would have way more power and influence as most of the new money comes from the tech industry.

It's a good things that people develop software for a fee.

They do it because people want it.

People need good photo editing software, and especially industries are willing to pay Adobe to do it.

There's nothing wrong with that.

And if their software was open source Adobe would be out of business.

More jobs lost.

What a great idea.

Some people need to think before they act.
A communist utopia is not a good idea.

It creates a lot of poverty.

[rsambuca]

I'm glad it's free, but so is Photoshop if you use BitTorrent!


That is called theft, and is illegal in the country in which I live.

[Ralphie]

Well stated, suchawato, well stated, although I don't understand why a professional would jack the program, so I'm not sure if I quite believe that part. The rest is sound ;)

You gotta realize though, Photoshop 7 is the latest most of these guys have ever used, if at all. Scanning through many threads, everyone recommends people to Photoshop 7, even today! When CS2 runs perfectly through wine. So I think a lot of the comparisons DO come from an outdated source.

[dmn_clown]

You gotta realize though, Photoshop 7 is the latest most of these guys have ever used, if at all. Scanning through many threads, everyone recommends people to Photoshop 7, even today! When CS2 runs perfectly through wine. So I think a lot of the comparisons DO come from an outdated source.

Actually, it is more than fair to compare current gimp with PS 6 or 7 as gimp still doesn't have all of those features (nor does Pixel) #-o

[Ioky]

I don't see how hard is GIMP is. I am I use it for all the graphic design for My architecture poster, and my site. Yes, it ask a lot of amazing tool. million thing can be done, although some of them are a bit tricky. So, what, is not like those thing are any easier in photoshop. Indeed, GIMP seem some what better then photoshop in some area too. For example, Set Color to Alpha. I try to found it in photoshop CS3. Couldn't found it. I mean it might exist, but what so good if I dig for half hour and I still don't see it. Well, that is just me so. My point here is not try to compare anything with anything, I just want to point out that GIMP is not as suck you many people thing, and people who think that might not have much experience with it neither. I personally think Sketch up suck, but that is because that I have use it a lot, and know like many thing of it, that is include that how it make something simple 10 time harder. Sense I do architecture work, it has too many limitations because it try to do everything for you, and it is stupid enough that don't know what I really want, just like point and shoot camera. So, Know your tool before you say anything about it.

[FALSEFLAG]

GIMP is free, GIMP is extensible, I've been using GIMP since 1.x and photoshop is for mitten pawed MAC weenies anyway. I'm not willing to sacrifice the bandwidth or diskspace on trialware unless it makes pizza out of wornout CD's

[Artificial Intelligence]

GIMP is free, GIMP is extensible, I've been using GIMP since 1.x and photoshop is for mitten pawed MAC weenies anyway. I'm not willing to sacrifice the bandwidth or diskspace on trialware unless it makes pizza out of wornout CD's

fixed! :P

[dmn_clown]

Some people need to think before they act.
A communist utopia is not a good idea.

It creates a lot of poverty.

*sigh* The acquisition of personal wealth creates more poverty than free software ever will.

[HokeyFry]

Why are you bashing a program just because it isn't open source? Closed source does not necessarily mean bad. For example, I think that Adobe Photoshop is much better than the GIMP. I use both, but Photoshop is easier to use. Most people don't want to learn how to script to get their program to work. They just want to point and click and have it all work for them. And then in some cases, open source programs are the way to go. Like Ardour is basically an Adobe Audition clone. But, I like it ten times better than Audition.

Just because something is open source doesn't mean it's better. It all depends on the code and how well it was written.

[Railsbuntu]

Just because you don't know how to do something does not mean that it isn't possible. :)
What a wonderful post!

If you are so clever, then show me how to correctly do what I was asking for, up to now nobody has come up with an acceptable solution.

The fact that Photoshop has non destructive gradients using Layer styles simply beats anything on the planet.

Most people don't want to learn how to script to get their program to work. They just want to point and click and have it all work for them.
Actually in this case clicking is more productive than banging your head writing scripts and realize you don't like the result, and have to redo the script over...

Oh and by the way don't even think about printing business cards on professional printers / paper with Gimp, no CMYK == no pro print. Converting RGB to CMYK images when the artwork is finished is not possible as it will modify colors often in bad.

[suchawato]

Well stated, suchawato, well stated, although I don't understand why a professional would jack the program, so I'm not sure if I quite believe that part. The rest is sound ;)

You gotta realize though, Photoshop 7 is the latest most of these guys have ever used, if at all. Scanning through many threads, everyone recommends people to Photoshop 7, even today! When CS2 runs perfectly through wine. So I think a lot of the comparisons DO come from an outdated source.
Proffessional Broke Art Student. ;)
I will probably buy a copy after I a few years, but for School and current work it is fine.
Also, I don't have a problem with downloading software.
I don't think it's unethical.
My personal opinion.

And actually I agree with dmn_clown, Photoshop 6 would be my guess as well.
It does compare to Photoshop 6.
is somthing like 6-7 years out of date?
Something like that?
I seem to remember using it around the turn of the mellinium, back in 2000.
Hardly up to date.
That's an interesting thought you mentioned.

That they would never have even seen CS2 or CS3 makes them look pretty foolish for compairing with it.

Oh well,
Their very time consuming loss.
-Very time consuming.

-Sara

[suchawato]

It still doesn't work, I always get a darkish border in the Gimp version.

Here is a side by side example. The circle on the left was created with PS, the one on the right was created with Gimp following whiteraven tip. You clearly see the quality difference (even dezoomed). On white background you don't notice it much, but on other colours and different shapes you can't miss it. I tried using masks, shrinking/growing selections, it doesn't work.
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1244/dualvr0.png

I never actually ran across a Gimp Vector Composition tutorial...

Inkscape... I keep banging my head while using it: gradients are a pain to make, and there is no custom colours swatches :mad:

My guess would be that would be because GIMP cannot do anything higher than 8 bit.
That is really sucky.
Unless you are making still frames for an old gif animation, your're outa luck for image quality with Gimp.
Oooh! 256 colors! Wow.

:shock:=D>

[smartboyathome]

That isn't 256 colors, it is millions of colors. If it was 256 colors, the gradients wouldn't be as smooth.

[suchawato]

That isn't 256 colors, it is millions of colors. If it was 256 colors, the gradients wouldn't be as smooth.
256 color mode.
I understand that that is not 256 colors.

That is what a gif supports.
And that is what Gimp basically does.

Photoshop supports up to 48 bit.
*raises hands*

Here's a cleaned up quote of a post that got removed for insulting language. Better now I hope, and only the Facts:

Here's a list of what Gimp doesn't do or doesn't do very quickly (and remember time is money)

A patch tool, a healing brush tool or spot healing brush tool!

-These are important! Ever try to restore a photo in Gimp? It takes hours! It's like using a way early version of Photoshop! You have to manually select each pixel next to the damaged area, and paint it in by hand.
or cut and paste good areas in and then blend it by hand, pixel by pixel!

It can take days to do one photo restoration in Gimp!
Are you kidding me??
Gimp compared to Photoshop??


If you mention Gimp at any Graphic design school they will laugh!
Yes, they've used it!
And it sucks!

I'm glad it's free, but so is Photoshop if you use BitTorrent!

Gimp doesn't have a perspective tool,
it doesn't have animation tools,
it doesn't have the liquify tool,
it doesn't have a free transform tool...

This last is interesting; in Gimp you have to manually rotate each selection by typing in the degrees of rotation!
If it's not quite right, you have to go and do it again, and again until it's right!
In Photoshop you can just use free transform to grab the bounding box and rotate or move by hand!
Easy!

I learned on Gimp, and when I moved to Photoshop I was amazed at what it can do!!
It's freaking awesome!

Gimp doesn't have smart layers, so you can't go in and edit a layer's properties later even after you've merged it!

Gimp doesn't have an effect gallery so you can't see a demo icon of what each effect does!
The only way to see how an effect works in Gimp is to apply the effect and see if it's what you want or not!
Painstakingly time-consuming!

Gimp doesn't have a history brush tool so if you screw up, you basically have to use the history palate to reset all of your work to a previous stage and loosing all your progress to fix one tiny spot!

Gimp doesn't have a sponge tool which is weird, since it is just the opposite of a dodge tool!
Gimp doesn't have the ability to do vertical type, or to type around a selection!
Really important if you want to do something with text in advertizing!

These things are important!


And people who I can only say is that people who think Gimp compares must think that all Photoshop does is adjust layers and add horizontal type or Gradients!!

That's like comparing a four-function calculator, to a Texas Instruments Graphing calculator!

There's way, WAY, more features available in the other one!

What are they thinking!?

If Gimp truly compared to Photoshop they would be teaching it in Professional Commercial art schools!
Of course they would!!

They teach both Adobe In Design and Quark XPress!!

Anyone who says Gimp compares to Photoshop has apparently never used CS2 or CS3.
They would know better if they had.

Gimp doesn't even support 16 bit!
to say nothing of 32, or 48.



I would love to see a nice free alternative to Photoshop!
But Gimp is not it!

They don't even develop it anymore!

When was the last time you saw an update to Gimp that included major new features?

Have you been to the Gimp forums?

They're dead.

It takes days or more for anyone to reply to you.

There's nobody there!

Photoshop is supported by huge amounts of third party plug ins and features.

I mean, it's really silly to compare Gimp to Photoshop.
Gimp does not compare as a same-level product.
It is not.

I welcome products like Pixel, at least maybe they'll develop it!!
Inkscape is a wonderful product!
It actually does compare to Illustrator!
It actually has some useful features that Illustrator doesn't do!

The only thing that Gimp has natively that Photoshop doesn't do is allow the user to skip a step when adding a layer from an outside source (in gimp you can either "open as layer" or drag and drop a pic icon into the layers pallate(nice!).
this is a nice feature.
The other is that Gimp easily allows one to wrap an image arround a 3d object like a ball or cube.

Photoshop doesn't do this without a third party plugin, in which case it does.

Gimp also supports more file formats which makes it extremely valuble as a file conversion program. (which is actually one of the main ways I use it)

Don't get my wrong, I like Gimp.
It has some nice features like file converting to obscure formats and I like a lot of the filters it has in it!

But it is not an adequate stand alone program.
I use it in complementary with Photoshop.

I fif a project this weekend that usef onr of the filters in Gimp
But not alone with Gimp!
That would take forever, and I don't have that time.

Conclusion:
Gimp is a wonderful program,
but is no longer being actively being developed or under any sort of outside influence for feature development or support.

It lacks features and third party support, and the ability to run anything higher than 8-bit graphics.
It does not include Pantone ink support for comercial printing.

It's a great idea, but one that seems dead in the water as far as development goes.

And there hasn't been a major update for years.

I'm sorry, but unless someone can come along to salvage the project, it looks dead in the water to me.

So, while we are on this subject, lets post a real picture that Gimp cannot do.

Here is a low rez pic of a recent work I did:
Just for fun:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p177/suchawato/4761_23_02_08_8_34_38.png
This Image was created with help from the liquefy tool in PS.

This is a good simple example.

Liquefy uses a neat trick:
It takes the pucker, bloat, twist and other such warping tools from Illustrator, and puts them into PS.
Basically, it lays out a vector grid on top of the image you want to work, and then resamples it based on the effect you do to it.

This allows a neat melting effect for artistic use, and is impossible using Gimp, as Gimp has no vector tools.
Inkscape cannot do this either.
Cool stuff. Very artistic.
And really useful for creating graphics in Rasterized text.
If I have time I will post some examples of the Perspective tool.
VERY useful!

Anyway, see you guys later!
-Sara

[smartboyathome]

That statement is outdated. There is a Liquify plugin available now (I have it installed :)), and there is a perspective tool and a free transform tool. There is GIMP-gap for animations (as well as just regular GIMP for GIFs, as long as you keep it to 1 frame per layer). As of 2.4, it has a healing brush, and I think the patch tool is actually the "cloning" tool. GIMP does have an effect gallery. GIMP can do vertical type or type around selection by using paths. The rest of the post after that basically looks like a rant.

Also, GIMP has no vector tools because it tries to do one thing (image editing) and do it well. It doesn't try to do vector stuff, that is Inkscape's domain (I find the combo quite powerful).

[acelin]

How about we wait for Photoshop designed for Linux? It will happen.

Then we torrent.:guitar:

[dmn_clown]

Also, GIMP has no vector tools because it tries to do one thing (image editing) and do it well. It doesn't try to do vector stuff, that is Inkscape's domain (I find the combo quite powerful).

There is a vector plugin for the gimp.

[smartboyathome]

Yes, but it is not part of GIMP because of that reason. ;)

[suchawato]

Hmm, I'm actually impressed.
I'll have to look into that.
It would be nice if they were available as a complete package and not individual plugins.

However I will look into that and see.

Liquify is a vector tool.

Now if Gimp can just support higher than 8 bit, we'd be all set..

Some of those things still apply though
The healing tools are very important.
There is not a magic lasso tool,
there is not a lot of things.

It's getting there.

The most important thing is to support higher than 8 bit.

If it could support 48 bit or higher that would be amazing.
64 bit would drop my jaw.

By the way, would you mind posting a quick pic that used the Gimp liquefy plugin?
That would be nice.

Thanks!
-Sara

[OttoDestruct]

How about we wait for Photoshop designed for Linux? It will happen.

Then we torrent.:guitar:

And send the message for any future developers that there's no point in spending money on commercial Linux programs. Linux is a tiny niche compared to the windows juggernaut. If the same percent of Linux users pirated LinuxShop as Windows users, you can be damn sure nobody will ever develop for Linux because its no financially viable.

[t3hi3x]

And send the message for any future developers that there's no point in spending money on commercial Linux programs. Linux is a tiny niche compared to the windows juggernaut. If the same percent of Linux users pirated LinuxShop as Windows users, you can be damn sure nobody will ever develop for Linux because its no financially viable.

Amen. See my quote below.

[whiteraven]

Not trying to beat a dead horse here but:
Railsbuntu said: Creating nice gradients on a shape is simply not possible with Gimp.
Ya know, it just bugged me that you would make that statement given your obvious lack of familiarity with GIMP. Now, I'm not upset that that you said that, instead it got me inspired me experiment a bit rather than throw something at you like I did with the previous example in which you rightfully pointed out the faint dark "bordering". I did a little digging into color theory and applied what I learned to the attached images - one is by GIMP and the other is your P$ original. Aside from the gradient angle (which I did not try to duplicate exactly), I believe you'll find the images remarkably similar.

Perhaps rsambuca said it well "Just because you don't know how to do something does not mean that it isn't possible."

[smartboyathome]

It is possible, I outlined my steps before, it just isn't as "easy" as a vector imaging program. Also, I haven't used the magic lasso, but is it similar to the scissor tool?

[whiteraven]

The magic lasso selects polygonal areas by dragging the mouse around the intended selection, sorta like a hand drawn selection. The scissor tool works by selecting similar color pixels linear between pick points - different animal altogether.
It is possible, I outlined my steps before, it just isn't as "easy" as a vector imaging program.
Creating the gradient image seemed easy to me, but I'm familiar with GIMP, and not at all with Inkscape. Gotta learn that program someday soon after seeing all the fine vector-based work by you and others!

[st0n3cutt3r]

I am amazed that this thread has 92k views.

[Mithrilhall]

do you see the extent of skin showing on that girl) on our screen. could not have taken a screen shot of something better.

Now what is better than an attractive females body?

Now what always makes me laugh are the people that complain that you recommended a piece of shareware. Heaven forbid you actually have to pay for a piece of software. Yet they're the first ones to complain that Adobe doesn't port their software to Linux.

So you want Adobe to write applications for Linux to give away for free??? :confused: I'm truly confused here.

[frankspace]

That statement is outdated. There is a Liquify plugin available now (I have it installed :)), and there is a perspective tool and a free transform tool. There is GIMP-gap for animations (as well as just regular GIMP for GIFs, as long as you keep it to 1 frame per layer). As of 2.4, it has a healing brush, and I think the patch tool is actually the "cloning" tool. GIMP does have an effect gallery. GIMP can do vertical type or type around selection by using paths.

Sorry to dig up an old thread like this, but could you tell me where to find this free transform tool? I've been using the GIMP exclusively for quite a while, and although I know the perspective tool well, I've looked and looked and looked and I cannot find a free transform tool or anything that looks remotely similar. There appear to be a few individual ways to distort things in the GIMP (perspective, rotate, scale, shear, and flip), but absolutely nothing like Photoshop's "Free Transform." In fact, everything I can find on Google lists that as one of the major things missing. And I'm using GIMP version 2.4.5.

I'm probably being dim, or maybe my Google-fu is worse than I thought, but either way, I beg you: please tell me specifically and explicitly where to find this, assuming for the sake of discussion that I am a total moron. Please?

[rykel]

Hi pals,

I currently use GIMP mainly to crop, add an occasional text and "censor" out parts of a picture. (the FILL SELECTION bucket)

Thus, GIMP is an overkill for such simple tasks.

Is there a lighter version of GIMP, or program for Ubuntu? (if it is web-based, it is even better)

I found Photoshop Express Online useful, but it does not yet have the Fill Selection black-out feature I need.

My apologies if this post is a little bit off from the main thread. Thanks!!

[FFighter]

Gimp is awkward, period.

Photoshop ftw.

Inskcape is nice.

Illustrator ftw.

Unfortunately, Adobe suite still wins.

[Artificial Intelligence]

This thread have run its course (since 2005) and therefore closed. If anyone have something to say Which add a new thing or havn't been said, contact the forum staff - explain what you want to add and we might re-open the thread.


regards
A.I. Dude

Ubuntu Forum Staff