To GIMP or not to GIMP?

[thefiringroom]

Hi, I'm new (even newer than everyone else!) on here and just wondered what proportion of people use GIMP for their graphics needs, since it is free, rather than Photoshop/Illustrator/etc?

I admit that I come from a unix sys. admin background, and used to run a Linux desktop, so possibly that explains my partiality for GIMP, but I find it a great tool once learnt, and it doesn't cost me a penny :)

What do you all use?

[Tyler]

Welcome to PublisherForums :)

I personally use Photoshop, mainly because it's what I'm used to, it's powerful and common (useful for working with designers, etc. being able to send/receive a PSD file, etc.).

Has GIMP been ported to WIN32 now? If it's free, that's something I'll have to look into, not to use, but as it's good information to tell people who are looking for a good free image editor.

[ScoobyDan]

thefiringroom,

I also use the GIMP, for the same reason as you - I run a Linux desktop at home (running Kubuntu), so the GIMP is the best (if not only) choice.

At work I use Photoshop 7 on Windows, and I find the two apps have a slighly different way of working, which is taking me a little time to learn.

Tyler, according to www.gimp.org, there are GIMP versions for Linux, Windows and MacOS X, so I think you can recommend it to anyone!

Daniel

[Submerge]

I use Adobe Photoshop. Been using is for over 5 years. I've gotten pretty decent at it in that amount of time.

[thefiringroom]

Yes, it works well on Windows and is easy to install. The downloads are all available through the GIMP website. If memory serves me right you have to install the GTK libs as well, but it is all documented.

[Tyler]

Wow, that's scarily similar to Photoshop... always surprises me they can't get into legal trouble for being so similar.. much like www.openoffice.org (http://www.openoffice.org) is to a certain software bundle.

Thanks guys. I won't be using GIMP over Photoshop but it's definitely good to know that it's out there and is a free alternative.

thefiringroom, from what I can tell there is no GTK libs needed to install as that is for developers/advanced users only, but I could be wrong.

[Colin]

I use nothing but Macromedia Fireworks, well I guess its called Adobe Fireworks now...

[jeremy]

As a Linux desktop user, of course I use the GIMP. I tried Krita recently, but I still like GIMP better (UI idiosyncrasies and all).

Tyler: It's not like Photoshop was the first graphics program and it's not like Microsoft Office was the first word processor. Can you imagine what Photoshop and Office would be like if there was no competition to push them?

[kaizan]

Photoshop..

[Gareth]

I've never used GIMP personally, until Abobe Photoshop fails to provide what I need I won't try anything else (never).

[thefiringroom]

As a postscript to this discussion, I came across this article today:

http://thelinuxadvocate.blogspot.com/2006/08/gimp-vs-photoshop-what-still-needs-to.html

The Linux Advocate makes some good points about Linux in general, I think, as well as the GIMP.

I know it is a little off-topic, but I do believe that one of the barriers to more widespread adoption of Linux as a desktop OS is the mindset of the people behind it and their underlying desire not to compromise on the geek/tech nature of the OS. Their choice of application names is an example of this....

[Michael]

Photoshop here ..

[L146705]

photoshop here too, might try installing gimp tho. I like the name haha.

[coryt]

Honestly if you cant afford photoshop gimp is a good program for its price. If im not mistaking its free.

[Sam]

indeed it is, I myself use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator as well. Why do you ask? I started my career with it and I don't feel like changing programs now.

[SgtRumble]

I have been using Photoshop for the past 4 yrs and havent found a better program yet.

[domokun]

I use nothing but Macromedia Fireworks, well I guess its called Adobe Fireworks now...

I also only use Fireworks. GIMP i tried but couldn't really get me head 'round