GIMP

[BMW-Guy]

anyone here ever used the GIMP? It's exellent graphics software that is arguably as powerfull as even Adobe Photoshop (well, it's at least as good and beter that Fireworks and Paintshop Pro ). It is completely free, and they just released a brand new version of it. It really is great stuff.

http://gimp.org

for a direct link to the downloads page: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=121075

[[Unknown]]

It's still not user friendly.  I'm sorry, but I get frustrated enough when I *try* to do graphics.

-[Unknown]

[davon]

i use gimp since many years. handling is a bit different, but the right mouse button rocks. it have a good power and it's worth to invest some time, so i would suggest to try some tutorials to get more familar with gimp.

[BMW-Guy]

It's still not user friendly.  I'm sorry, but I get frustrated enough when I *try* to do graphics.

-[Unknown]

Huh? Photoshop no easier to use. In fact, many people praise GIMP for it's abillity to dock & undock windows in the program.

[Jerry]

I will give it a try, but I am happy with Photoshop 8 CS & Fireworks MX

[Springer]

They have made GIMP a little more user friendly, I'm sure they will continue.  But I still use photoshop more often than not.

[bloc]

I have used the Gimp earlier - over 1 year ago now. I'll give the new version a new try.

The multiple windows thing was no problem for me..but then I started out on the sorry-to-see-it-go-but-oh-so-great Amiga. Those were the days... 

[Jerry]

I got confused just trying to install. .

[evolus]

I use The Gimp since 1 year
It's the best ! I don't use Photoshop anymore

exemple of a website what i have designed with the gimp & coded with NVU...

www.4noob.org/v2 (error php is normal)

[bloc]

Jerry, you need an extra library...

It feels good,a different working style one has to get used to. And its all there, scripts, filters , whatever so this is really all one needs. I like the possibility to have the picture window in full size...not having to switch off things, like in Photoshop. just choose the toolbar window and it is there again on top....wish for an "always on top" though, when going to and from the picture/toolbar many times in a session.

And it is a bit unstable...perhaps I did too much, but it froze on me. Maybe have something to do with the fact that is originally designed for Linux? I don't use Linux at the moment, but I am guessing it works even better on that.

It sure is an alternative to Adobe/Macromedia - especially since those cost a lot of money...

- ZeFroG, thats good use of the Gimp. . Just shows its not the tool, its the talent that counts ...

[BMW-Guy]

nice website ZeFrog.

[Pause]

* Mattitude makes do with Fireworks MX, but hates that if you want to create a new one, it can only be saved as png... you have to open an existing jpg/gif/whatever file if you want to save in that format instead of png...

[Midgard]

I like 'Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004' - it's great.

[ViSioNaRy]

There is an program that always gets over looked called Ulead Photo Impact that convinced me to dump Adobe Photoshop and Paint Shop PRO. It was totally easier to get awesome graphics and it's price was great at around 80.00. I do alot of custom titles with fonts and Photoshop was so clunky and its final output less than minimal, While in a few seconds PI had sweet titles in all their glory. It is also able to use Adobe plugins which there are many. Demo is available at http://ulead.com

All  programs that have some power will have somewhat of a learning curve though. It's how they approach layers upon layers of features that sets them apart. 

[bloc]

PhotoImpact is familiar...I think I tried version 5 or 6 or something. Quite impressive then.

[Peter Duggan]

that convinced me to dump Adobe

and Adobe was so clunky

NB Adobe is not a synonym for Adobe Photoshop (assuming that's what you meant).

[Trekkie101]

I have trouble with anything more than MS Paint. I really dont understand how to do anything in Gimp. The tuts aent that helpful. But then its true that some people got it and some dont.

[weekend camper]

I trained on Photoshop 7 at school.

I have just begun using the GIMP and like that the learning curve (from PS).  The filters are amazing too, but I think I would like a few more to round out the stock ones.