GIMP - Raster Graphics Editor | How To XP Tricks

GIMP - Raster Graphics Editor

Jul 1, 2007

A few days back, I wrote about GIMP, over at KalaaLog.com.

It is a good software that you can get without spending a penny. I have been using it even after getting Photoshop Elements and Corel Painter when I got it bundled with my Wacom Intuos3. The point is that, to this day, there was nothing in GIMP that I could not do.

That does not mean, it has no disadvantages. It does.

No Pantone color matching system, or spot color

No color models other than RGB (note that, color selection is different from the output). This is a disadvantage if the end product is aimed for print media.

No way to group and organize layers

In spite of these, I am able to do quite good digital paintings.

If you want to pursue it, and do not yet want to spend a fortune on Adobe Photoshop, start working with GIMP. It can do a lot more than just minor photo touch-ups and signature banners.

PS: To find more posts by Vyoma, visit Splat and KalaaLog.

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Posted by Vyoma | Categories: Software Reviews |

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Comments so far | Have Your Say!

Nirmal
July 1st, 2007 at 4:46 pm #

Although I used GIMP for quite a while, I like photoshop better than this. The best advantage of GIMP is that its a freeware.

Vyoma
July 1st, 2007 at 4:50 pm #

Ah well. I cannot afford Adobe Photoshop yet. May be I can, but I still cannot justify the need for me to spend on it.

So, I am sticking to GIMP for now. :)

benedict herold
July 1st, 2007 at 5:09 pm #

you can stick with GIMP rather than using a pirated copy of Photoshop :-)

Vyoma
July 1st, 2007 at 6:43 pm #

You took the words out of my mouth, benedict. :)

mik
July 1st, 2007 at 8:18 pm #

Photoshop and GIMP have remained in limbo for too long I believe. They act as good web design software, photograph manipulation and digital painting. However, they do not specialise in any of these which I feel as though is the down-turn.

Adobe’s requisition of Macromedia should be allowing them to make Photoshop and their other products more specialised to their purpose. Photoshop should be as it’s name suggests, a photography manipulation system. Leave the web design to Fireworks, Illustrator and Freehand.

That aside, GIMP is a very powerful alternative to Photoshop and I think it will suite most people down to a T.

Shankar Ganesh
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:51 am #

I love GIMP, but I think Photoshop is way better. I wonder why GIMP hasn’t really taken off.

Vyoma
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:16 pm #

One reason it has not taken off is that it is driven by Open Source model. When there are no monetary incentives, development is naturally slower.

Vyoma
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:18 pm #

@mik, sorry, I missed you there.

Yes, they have remained in limbo - as in there are not much developments.

But I think, that is not of much issue when it comes to digital painting and basic image manipulaiton (I do not work on photo manipulation or web designing to that extent). It is not that much of an issue because, there is no need for it. Both Photoshop and GIMP are good tools to do digital painting with their custom brush setups. They basically emulate traditional painting.

Now, would you say, there is not developments in traditional painting? If there is development, then these digital coutnerparts would follow.

But may be, in terms of web designing and photo-manipulation - you are right.

And in terms of specialization - I think they should not be doing that. There are specialization softwares for digital painting like Corel Painter X. And as you said, for web deisign, Fireworks and others. There still is a market that needs a little of all of those. Specializing would be loosing a lot of market - for both Photoshop and for GIMP.

reviewsaurus
July 2nd, 2007 at 5:59 pm #

Gimp is indeed one of the best freeware and one of the best alternative to photoshop. There are quite a few graphics software, which give good competition to Photoshop and Gimp is one of them. having an open source application doing wonders is always makes me feel proud of all those dedicated programmers!

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