[Freddy]

Just wondering if anyone here uses GIMP, the graphics program... and is it any good, how does it compare to PhotoShop etc...

Cheers

[TheMikh28]

I personally prefer Paint Shop Pro over the GIMP, but the GIMP is free so it wouldn't hurt to check it out I suppose.

[mad5ci]

I use it. For me it's a great tool (and OpenSource!). Only disadvantage is the interface which is unusual and you have to get used to it (there are rumours that it will change to more Paint Shop like in newest release). Plus Inkscape for vector graphics and that's all I need. There are lots of video tutorials for both programs so if you're interested I can post some links here.

[Duskrider]

Some time ago we discussed Gimp and I downloaded but found it too hard to use without reading instructions.   I don't have patience for instructions, a small fault I have.  Anyway so I deleted it.
I recently discovered fun with PNG pics but I find on internet but I can't make them.  A couple friends can.  Neil and Ted.  Ted uses Gimp to make them.
PNG has transparent around object so it can be put into another picture.
Here is example of Sandee surrounded by PNG girls from internet.

[Carl2]

  I have Paint shop pro but downloaded Gimp,  I've opened it a few times to get familiar with it and see if there were any tools that would be useful for making a Hal Gui.  Stuck with psp since i'm familiar with it gimp yet. 
  I'm planning on working with skins for a Haptek fullbod character and may look at gimp again to remove the distortion of the cloth.
Carl2

[tedathome]

I've been using gimp for sometime now. I really like it and use it alot. Basicly it does most of what the not for free programs do. It does come with a learnig curve and not all is discussed in the help manual. I also use paint.net for some things that gimp won't do or doesn't do as well. I often use both when copying a new outfit to put on my fullbody gal. If I am making an original outfit, I can add special effects in gimp.

[Duskrider]

Today I did it.
Downloaded Gimp.
Got into it and created bunch of PNGs.
Not hard at all.   

[Freddy]

Thanks for all the replies everyone   I have been using PhotoShop Elements lately and came across a few things it doesn't do.  After all the help and suggestions I will give GIMP a go.

Many thanks 

@mad5ci, wasn't there some project that more or less turned the Gimp interface into Photoshop ?

@Ted, nice to see you here, been a while !

[mad5ci]

@Freddy: yes, there is one. It's called GIMPshop. Here's website: http://www.gimpshop.com/ but I dunno if it isn't abandoned .

[Freddy]

Many thanks, look deserted if the forum is anything to go by though - a lot of spam there.

[photostill]

Got to confess, I use GIMP as my photoeditor of choice. I like the way it does.

I had tried Photoshop but disliked that it was made by Adobe. Adobe has this thing about wanting to know what you are doing with their programs. So they are usually chock full of phone homes, which I really dislike.

The price is right on the software and over time, I've gotten used to it.

[Art]

I normally used PSP but after the crash, I tried Paint.net and Gimp2.
Paint.net is nice but quite limited in control wigets like push, dodge, blend, etc.
kinds of tools. It has a smaller footprint but like the man says sometimes
size does matter and sometimes you do get what you pay for.

Gimp2, though a somewhat larger file and takes way longer to load, does
a very nice job with a more complete variety of editing tools, etc.

Like most things, the more you experiment and use it the easier it becomes.

[photostill]

Maybe a bit of a hint would come as welcome here.

Just about all the brushes that work in PS, will work in GIMP. You take the brushes and paste them into the brush folder and they will load the next time GIMP starts up. Be careful not to overload your brush folder as it will indeed slow down the loading time in startup.

I usually work with two computers, so while it is loading, I'm off doing other things on the other one. The one I do graphics on, rarely sees the net. Mostly it is isolated from the home LAN.