GIMP, a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop

[KingTux]

After reviewing the forum rules, it appears that I can post about this, as "there's nothing in it for you (me) except the satisfaction of helping your (my) fellow members. ". I've heard a lot of people talk about using photoshop or a demo of photoshop. However, I haven't heard about GIMP. It's a free version that the Linux guru's made for themselves years ago. I'd definately look at it as an option as it's free and can handle Photoshop plugins like any other plugins. It may take a little work to learn, but if you have any questions regarding it's use, feel free to post them here. I'll be more than happy to answer them. However, I would suggest that you play around with things before attempting too much.

Now my title will make sense to others!

The site:
GIMP

Support for Windows users:
WinGIMP


To get it now, go through these links, preferably in order:


GTK+ (1877 KB):
GTK+ Libraries (required to do anything with GIMP)

GIMP (App. 5.87 MB):
GIMP

LZW Algorithm (35 KB, to install, unzip to the C:\Program Files\GIMP\lib\gimp\1.2\plug-ins directory, considering that that's where you installed it):
LZW Algorithm support (only for countries that their patent has expired for)


As for the legality issue, it's only legal to use that last file IF you don't live in Canada, France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, or Japan. Everyone else should be fine. If I learn of more countries, I'll gladly edit this post and add them. Don't feel too bad though, if you can't install GIF support yet. From my understanding, the patent for these countries is due to expire sometime in 2004. Besides, there are no GIF files in Civilization.


Here's a good page to check in the future, in the case of an update, or if you'd like to use a different page:
Installers for GIMP

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, feel free to try it! Leave your comments or questions on this thread.

 

[Padma]

Moderator Action: No problem with the post, but a problem with the location. The "Utility Program" forum is for complet Civ3-specific utilites only.

Moving this thread to "Computer Talk".
Please read the forum rules: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=422889

 

[KingTux]

Sorry about that... I assumed that it went there as it's a utility that can be used to make stuff for Civilization, even though it's not related to Civilization. We'll see how effective it is there as it seems like I had no takers on the other.

On a side note, I had no idea that this forum existed. Thanks for moving it.

EDIT: I just noticed that two people voted for photoshop. I want to know WHY (that's part of it). Hopefully, it's not an ignorance vote. If it's because of it's content, you do realize that you can import photoshop plugins don't you? I'd mainly like people who have given it a serious attempt to vote, but not those who aren't willing to try. If you have, shoot, I'll gladly answer your complaints. I started this thread to try to gain interest in it and support newcomers to it. Please respond as I can only assume that it's an ignorance vote until I have a response on why.

 

[Sodapop]

Frankly photoshop. The GIMP is alright, but I just can't stand the multi window way it uses. I want a container for my tools, ala photoshop. The GIMP in itself is great, but there is a severe lack in the work of the GUI. Hopefully, after 2.0, the core is supposed to be splitted from the GUI. As soon as I have a real window, I'll probably like it more. But the fact will probably still remain that it's a non user-friendly GUI.

 

[bobgote]

I'll check it out sometime, i never wanted to pay for a picture editor, and i haven't been using linux much, but it's sitting there so i will utilise it.

 

[KingTux]

I have to admit, Sodapop, you're right on that. However, I'm not one that would like to fork over a couple hundred dollars for just GUI improvement. It might be challenging at first to learn because of this, but it still can do anything that photoshop can for free.

Thanks for your opinion.

 

[Sodapop]

I've never talked about price. Pricewise, The GIMP is a much much much better product (PS is really not hard to beat in that area). Besides, the dev version has seen improvements too that make it more useable, but the interface still needs work. And this will probably come in the post-2.0 world. Again I'm not sure if that's still true, but if it can use something else than GTK+ for its interface, then maybe we'll see someday a real photoshop clone with an easy to use and less cluttered interface.

And I didn't say I don't use The GIMP. The multiplatform bit makes it my favorite image manipulation tool, as photoshop is only windows, and is awful to run with wine.

 

[anarchywrksbest]

I love it. It's quite small so I can download it on dial-up. It's got loads of really cool features like scripts. It's free as well.

I use it all the time to create the artwork for DVD covers such as these. They are of such high quality that people actually exchange things with me to make them.

[click to enlarge]







http://mysite.freeserve.com/anarchywrksbest/index.html

Not that any of you care about that sort of thing.

 

[IceBlaZe]

Originally posted by Sodapop
I've never talked about price. Pricewise, The GIMP is a much much much better product (PS is really not hard to beat in that area).

Maybe for one person, but for an entire studio the price of photoshop is marginal, especially considering that the training of artists is mainly done on professional programs such as Photoshop.
So, pricewise, for studios (which are the main consumers of these programs) - Photoshop is actually better.
What would cost more - buying photoshop, or losing time and money training a whole crew to use GIMP instead?

It might be challenging at first to learn because of this, but it still can do anything that photoshop can for free.

I wouldn't put my money on that.
If you're an amateur web designer/artist, sure, get GIMP, no need to shell out $650.
Although, testified through talks with various serious artists in profession, GIMP is not nearly as powerful as Photoshop - and if you read some serious comparison articles (i.e. not those found on a LINUX website, which are obviously bribed) - you'll see some differences.