Nobody will argue that using the program is a walk in the park but, if you put in the effort, GIMP can offer you results that are (almost?) every bit as good at its pay-for cousin - except in specific use cases.
Pros: Gimp is an open-source image manipulation program what means it is absolutely free to use.Also, you will receive regular updates which add new features and fixes bugs including security issues. It has all the abilities that for example Adobe Photoshop and other commercial programs have. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source photo-editing program used by many as an alternative to Photoshop. It’s great for a range of design tasks including restoring old photos and creating custom thumbnails. Some of its most powerful assets are the plugins developed by independent programmers. GIMP (/ ɡ ɪ m p / GHIMP; GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image manipulation (retouching) and image editing, free-form drawing, transcoding between different image file formats, and more specialized tasks. GIMP is released under GPLv3+ license and is available for Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows.
Gimp Gnu Image Manipulation Program
If it’s not Photoshop, it’s got to be GIMP
Every so often we talk about classic pieces of software, but GIMP really takes the biscuit. This wonder-app has been around since 1996 and still manages to be the number one in its category when we’re talking about free ways to edit your pictures, photos, and images.
As an open-source app, you’re not only able to download and use it for free but you could also, if you felt inclined,modify it to your particular uses. For the less ambitious among us, simply using it will be enough - much like cousin Photoshop, this app has a steep learning curve. Although downloading and installing GIMP is very easy (it has a traditional Windows installer), taking your first steps will be more of a challenge.
Gimp Image Manipulation Program
If you’ve used Photoshop before, the general layout of the interface, which has a pretty traditional Windows vibe going on, will be familiar and not terribly cool. Beyond that, however, you’re going to have to go back to square one, because although both programs use similar terminology, there are significant differences in the way you will use them and the depth of editing you can perform.
So, what can GIMP offer you? Well, it is a raster editor and supports RAW images. It also deals withlayers and layer masks, just like Photoshop, and can offer you a whole host of filters, color options, and tools like transform and text. GIMP will also have a good go at opening a vast number of file formats, and you can add functionality and assorted features via a range of plug-ins that changes all the time.
If you’re determined to get to grips with GIMP, there are plenty of tutorials, videos, and extra help that will set you on the road. The GIMP community is active and helpful, and the developers are great at solving problems and squishing bugs fast. Once you get more familiar with it, you can set about customizing the interface and options so you create a UI that is quick and efficient for the tasks you want to perform, rather than everything that’s on offer, all of the time.
GIMP takes effort to get to know and use but the people who love it REALLY love it. It seems to be surrounded by a really enthusiastic and helpful community. If you make GIMP your mission, you’ll undoubtedly get lots of support in the process and, since it’s free, what is there to lose?
Clearly, the first alternative that comes to mind is Photoshop, which is arguably better. If we restrict ourselves to free software, however, the field narrows considerably. There are faster and sleeker tools that will do one or more of the features offered by GIMP but relatively few that do it all. If you’re looking for alternatives, check out Paint 3D (the evolution of Paint.net - no, really!) or PhotoScape. It's generally agreed, however, that few (if any) free pieces of software will give you everything you need to replicate Photoshop. Each app offers a sub-selection of features, and you may find that the features you need lie somewhere else.
Our take
GIMP is a great tool on many fronts and it’s a perfect example of the power of open-source. Even so, to call it a Photoshop alternative is a little disingenuous - awesome as it is, it is simply not as powerful a tool.
One question - who, exactly, is going to use GIMP? If you have serious or professional photo or image editing needs, you’re definitely going to opt for a paid alternative, because GIMP just doesn't offer a full selection of editing options.
If your photo/image editing needs are less intense, GIMP is likely to be too complex and have too steep a learning curve for most people to bother with it. That makes us think that the typical GIMP user is a rare beast and probably not the average user. Even so, if you think YOU are that rare beast, go ahead. GIMP is a great tool and should be given the respect it deserves.
Should you download it?
Gimp Manipulation Program
Like we said, if you’re serious about your image editing, but can’t stretch to a paid tool, a little bit of effort with GIMP will give you awesome results - download with confidence.
2.10.0
Gimp. It is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. A freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image creation. It has many capabilities. Can be used as a simple paint program, a program for professional photo retouching, as a batch processing system online, a generator mass of images to produce an image format converter, etc.
Download Gimp user manual
GIMP is expandable and extensible. It is designed to be augmented with plug-ins and extensions to do just about anything.
The advanced scripting interface allows everything from the simplest to the procedures for handling more complex to be easily processed images tasks.
Gimp Image Manipulation Program
Customizable interface. Each task requires a different environment and GIMP allows us to customize the look and behavior of the way we like it.
Available the official download of Gimp 2.10.8
Starting with the appearance of the program itself, which allows you to change colors, distances, widgets and sizes of icons and customize the toolbox.
The interface is modulated panels, allowing you to stack them into tabs or keep them open in its own window.
Pressing the tab key will toggle the hidden panels.
GIMP has a large full screen mode that allows you to not only preview your artwork but also do editing work while using most of your screen space. Best demos for mac.
Digital retouching: It is ideal for advanced photo retouching techniques.
Gimp The Gnu Image Manipulation Program
Get rid of unneeded details with the clone tool, or touch up minor details easily with the new healing tool.
With the perspective clone tool, it is not difficult to clone objects with perspective in mind as easily as with the orthogonal clone.
Hardware support. Includes unique support for various input devices. Not only for pressure sensitive and tilt but also a wide range of USB or MIDI controllers tablets.
You can link actions often used to device events such as rotating a USB wheel or sliding motion of a MIDI controller.
Change the size, angle or opacity of a brush while you paint, link scripts to favorites buttons. All this translates into … accelerating workflow!