| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 678 | | Review Date: January 18, 2017 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Unbeatable price (free); Finally runs natively on MacOSX | | Cons: | Somewhat less intuitive than Photoshop--at first | |
It's no secret that digital photography is an expensive hobby, so it's nice that some good things don't have to cost a lot. As others have noted, there's little you can do with Photoshop that you can't do with GIMP. It's a capable, mature piece of free, open source software. As a Mac user, I've always been a little frustrated by the fact that it always needed the X11 environment for life support. That finally changed with version 2.8, which runs natively under MacOSX. Because GIMP doesn't come form Apple's App Store, MacOS will resist launching it unless you click the icon while holding down the 'control' key. You will then receive a warning dialog that it is an unrecognized application and asks you to confirm that you really want to open it. Just click Okay and you'll never have to worry about that pesky dialog ever again. The first launch also takes a very long time as the app locates system resources it needs. Subsequent launches are quick and painless. For those who are put off by the default multi-window interface, which is really just an image window surrounded by several floating pallets, there is a 'Single Window' option under the "Windows" menu. If you're used to using Photoshop, the interface may seem a little unintuitive at first, but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it.
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 170 | | Review Date: September 22, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | price, plugins | | Cons: | | |
I only use this software. I have never used Photoshop. I admit that the user interface might not be the most intuitive one, but I got used to it.
Whenever I read a step-by-step guide for Photoshop, I can do the same things in the Gimp. I have no troubles finding the same tools in the menu or in the palette.
I also read a book about Gimp few years ago and it helped me a lot back then.
Overall, I'm very satisfied and I'm glad that such a project exists.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2011 Location: Kansas City Posts: 195 | | Review Date: March 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Good selection of plugins, open source, stability between versions | | Cons: | While great in Linux, it can be a little slow and limited in Windows | |
I have been using the GIMP for about 10 years, so I am quite comfortable with it and accustomed to its multi-window interface, which can seem quirky at first for non-Linux users. While I am not that familiar with Adobe Photoshop, my co-worker (who uses Photoshop regularly) frequently takes much longer tackling various challenges in Photoshop than it takes for me to complete in the GIMP. I have yet seen anything Photoshop can do that the GIMP can not. As with any software, it definitely pays to get a good, thorough, reference book on the GIMP. I generally use the GIMP in Linux where it is ubiquitous and replete with plugins, but in Windows it can seem a little slow and limited at times. That said, one of the unspoken advantages of the GIMP (and other open source software) is the stability between versions; once you get used to the interface, you won't have to fret about re-learning a new interface every time a new version is released.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Piekary Śląskie Posts: 155 | | Review Date: October 11, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | for almost all postprocessing pictures | | Cons: | not good works with Windows | |
All my pictures are postprocessed in
UFRaw + Gimp 2.6 team
Minus: i use NoiseWare for denoise i sharpen
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: March, 2011 Location: Prince Edward Island Posts: 194 | | Review Date: May 19, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Free!!! - need I say more? | | Cons: | Not as flashy as other programs | |
One of the first programs I got to try. I haven't used it a lot yet because I have PS Elements free trial for now, and I wanted to use silkypix that came with the camera. So between the three different programs I am trying to figure out which I like best and see which program will be the best to grow into.
Once again free and a good place to start. | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 5
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 8, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Good functionality. | | Cons: | Clunky Interface. | |
I use Adobe Photoshop extensively at work, but can't afford to buy it for my own personal use. I've tried a number of el-cheapo photo editing programs, but they just haven't provided the flexibility that I need.
Enter GiMP. In the month I've been using it, I've been very pleased with its overall performance. The interface isn't as slick as much of the commercial software, but once you know where to find everything, it's very versatile and fairly intuitive.
The program handles a wide range of file types, doesn't freeze on multi-layer images and converts colors faithfully. There's good selection of plug-ins available and you can even write your own scripts for it if you're adventurous.
Best of all, it's free. Though it is nice to make a donation if you use it as much as I do.
For technical specs or to download, visit http://www.gimp.org.
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