[RESOLVED] Anyone ever use a product called "Gimp"?

[Hack]

I was looking for a Photoshop like tool that wouldn't require me to take out a second mortgage to purchase and I came across something called "GIMP" which professes to be just a powerful as Photoshop, but free.

Whenever something sounds too good to be true it generally is.

Does anyone have any experience with GIMP?

[NeedSomeAnswers]

I have used it, it isn't bad at all.

It is opensource, and it isn't quite as user friendly as Photoshop but its still pretty good.

What do you need to use it for?

This may help to answer some questions.

[SambaNeko]

Actually GIMP is very good; I've definitely seen Photoshop-caliber work done in it. I don't use it much myself because I've been raised on, work daily with, and invest in Photoshop. Also GIMP's UI annoys me. But I'd definitely recommend it as a Photoshop alternative (and it's free so you really have nothing to lose anyway).

[Shaggy Hiker]

I've never used it...because I totally suck at anything artistic, but it has been recommended to me several times for doing things like that. I would say that it is the industry standard for those who don't have somebody else to buy Photoshop for them. I know people who use it and swear by it. I don't know anyone who swears AT it, though, which is something of a recommendation.

[techgnome]

Been using GIMP for years... love it. you can also get a portable version from PortableApps.com ... fits on a thumb drive... I carry it around with me where ever I go, just in case. If only VS was as portable.

-tg

[pukisoft]

I don't think it's as powerful as photoshop but it does help and it's free. As NeedSomeAnswers said it is not very user friendly, Actually the windows version is kind of odd (Maybe It's because I don't know how to use it) but still you can do really awesome things with it from What I've seen. This site has a very good showcase. I may even start using it to pretty up my websites.
(Not that I'd know anything about it since I suck at graphics design)

[si_the_geek]

Depending on the level of features you want, the "semi-Microsoft" Paint.Net freebie may well suit... it's good enough for me.

[Hack]

I don't know anyone who swears AT it, though, which is something of a recommendation.

A higher recommendation would be difficult to come by.

Thanks to all...I'm gonna give it shot.

[Hack]

What do you need to use it for?

I like what can be done with Photoshop in terms of making cool looking circles and arrows on screen shots. I'm going to be doing some end user documentation and I need something with which I can provide some visual assistance for the writtenl "do this...then do that...it will look like this" stuff.

[baja_yu]

I use it as a replacement for Photoshop. Being a developer it's more than enough for me.
When we're at the subject of open source alternatives, I also love OpenOffice as an alternative for MS Office.

EDIT: Oh yeah, here's an interesting website I stumbled on yesterday that's good for finding alternatives: http://alternativeto.net/software/adobe-photoshop/

[Jenner]

Yes, GIMP is extremely impressive. My wife is a graphics artist and she used GIMP for years before finally purchasing Photoshop. Overall, it'll do about 90% of what Photoshop can do. It's only real lacking features are in the higher end abilities of Photoshop. The thing that kills GIMP for me is the interface which no matter how often I use, just can't get used to. Photoshop just seems far more "natural".

You just can't beat the pricetag though. GIMP is 5-star freeware on the same level as OpenOffice and 7-Zip and Firefox.

[NeedSomeAnswers]

Depending on the level of features you want, the "semi-Microsoft" Paint.Net freebie may well suit... it's good enough for me.

I have to say i use Paint.Net as well for capturing images and adding graphics for User Guides.

It was why i was asking you what you need to use Gimp for, if you only need to have picture capture and be able to draw arrows or other small graphics onto a picture to illustrate then Paint.Net is great at that.

[Hack]

if you only need to have picture capture and be able to draw arrows or other small graphics onto a picture to illustrate then Paint.Net is great at that.

That, in a nutshell, is what I'm after.

I'm not familiar with Paint.NET, but I'm sure Google will find it for me. I'll check it out. Thanks.