I use the GIMP for just about everything, since I purposely avoid Adobe products. It takes some working around issues, and lacks several "high end printing" features, but I find the way it deals with some things to be more convenient. I don't go so far as to recommend it, but I do go so far as to say that it works for me..
[ e d @ h a l l e yc c ] http://www.halley.cc/pix/..
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Http://www.pbase.com/jfinite..
Yes, and it is a very powerful piece of software that benefits greatly from it's modular construction..
However, be warned !!!.
It has a VERY high learning curve and is pretty beginner unfriendly if you want to do more then the basics..
Regards.
Steve..
I have both programs and use GIMP more. To me it seems alot easier to handle and learn. I only use photoshop for certain special effects that GIMP doesn't have..
Oly C-770..
If your employer or clients require PSD files, you really need to use Photoshop..
If you shoot only for yourself, and you are not a perfectionist (i.e. you have no need to edit 16-bit images natively), then why pay $$$ for the pain of Photoshop, when get be just as masochistic for free with GIMP?.
I don't use either on my own computers, but when somebody asks for my help on their computers and the freebie stuff that comes with their cameras won't suffice, I download GIMP for them and use that. And if you want to play with RAW files, you can download the GIMP-compatible UFRaw utility which will also operate stand-alone..
Galleries: http://www.dheller.net..
You might want to look at Gimpshop. It uses the Gimp engine with a Photoshop type interface. I dont know that it will be any easier to learn, but you can probably adapt some of the numerous Photoshop tutorials more easily. It is also free..
Ive used Photoshop for over ten years since version 3 and still make good use of online tutorials. Since they can use numerous illustrations and menu screenshots for a single technique you can learn things quickly with tutorials. I have no experience with Gimpshop, but it is reported to be capable of following Photoshop tutorials with a little muddling..
Since you are starting from scratch I would recommend Paint Shop Pro X. My browser doesnt meet dpreviews criteria for accessing profiles, but if you are in the US you can pick up a legal registerable copy for $20 delivered. This is one example of many available: http://cgi.ebay.com/...0QQcategoryZ41878QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem.
XI is the latest version but most reviews say it isnt worth the upgrade if you have X. There was a big upgrade from version 9 to X, but I dont see a lot other than toys in XI that isnt in X. I have also heard of of crashes with XI that dont occur with X, but one never knows the competence or systems of the people getting crashes..
PSP has a lot of stuff missing in Gimp and Elements. I picked up a copy of PSP X last year from Ebay just for the vector integration. But it has surprised me with it's competence. I still work faster in Photoshop, but can do just about everything in PSP. The PSP Learning Center is integrated with the program and will walk you thought just about anything you would want to do..
PSPs color management isnt as sophisticated as Photoshop, but it is head and shoulders above Gimp and Elements. I wouldnt want to work without actions and neither Gimp nor Elements let you make actions. PSPs actions (scripts in PSP) are better implemented than Photoshop IMO..
If I couldnt afford to keep Photoshop for some reason I would use PSP. There is just too much advanced stuff missing from the others. There are plenty of tutorials but nothing compared to Photoshop. For twenty bucks I think it would be a better place to start than Gimp...