Curse

i manequin i · Sep 01, 2009, 12:21 AM // 00:21

Hi, I'm new to art and so as to spare my dignity, will nto post any of it on this thread

. but anyways, photoshop costs much more money than I am willing to pay. Has anyone used GIMP (GNU image manipulation program)? It's a free download that i use for texmod and to mess around with drawing. Is it no differant from photoshop (as far as i can see it is not), or should i stick to paper/pencil because it will nto yield nice results ever.

note: i know that any program can make a nice picture if you are good at it, I am just wondering if GIMP will be easier to make nice than the other programs out there.

Thank you all!

BlueXIV · Sep 01, 2009, 12:39 AM // 00:39

Never tried GIMP,

Hmm if you want, I'll try drawing something in GIMP, and i'll report if it's gud or not? :P

Tools I've also heard was gud and cheap/free:
http://www.systemax.jp/en/sai/ <painttoolsai, free I think
opencanvas, pretty cheap, but they stopped doing engrish versions, so you can probably just find a free version on the net. It's pretty nice as well

Winstar · Sep 01, 2009, 12:59 AM // 00:59

I'm fairly familiar with GIMP and I think its a great program. There is a tonne of online documentation and information availble. Highly recommeneded if you're looking for something free and open source.

i manequin i · Sep 01, 2009, 01:36 AM // 01:36

Thank you both! I am somewhat familiar with GIMP, but have always been thrown off by the layer option. If you have time, please try drawing something then posting through GIMP, but if you don't, I know time may be tight.

Thank you all!

Chthon · Sep 01, 2009, 02:19 AM // 02:19

GIMP is quite remarkable. It's feature set differs from photoshop (both for better and for worse), but not until you reach a level of power-user-dom that most people never reach.

i manequin i · Sep 01, 2009, 02:28 AM // 02:28

so your sayin I gotta do lots of tutorials 'till I can use GIMP well?

End · Sep 01, 2009, 03:03 AM // 03:03

Nah I think Chthon was talking about the differences between GIMP and Photoshop are found in the higher lvl junk. I taught myself gimp I can't draw though so I can't help you there

subarucar · Sep 01, 2009, 03:42 AM // 03:42

If you don't mind going down the not so legal route, the latest Photoshop is quite easy to find on various download sites.

BlueXIV · Sep 01, 2009, 04:46 AM // 04:46

Well I tested GIMP. Was an extremely frustration experience.

Don't get me wrong, GIMP seems to be an excellent program. It has almost everything you would need.

Except one thing. PHOTOSHOP HOTKEYS.

GIMP hotkeys are mapped to other stuff, so when someone is extremely used to photoshop, using GIMP is like switching your dominant hand.

Verdict: use if you have not used photoshop for years.

^What I got after 15 minutes of trying to figure where things are and scribbling.

gremlin · Sep 01, 2009, 04:49 AM // 04:49

or you can visit http://www.oldversion.com/

They have many older versions of commercial programs and amongst the art packages is Paint Shop Pro 9

I used gimp some years ago it was pretty good and there are a few others around if you check the free sites.

Espadon · Sep 01, 2009, 05:45 AM // 05:45

D: Paint Shop Pro bleehhhhhh

I hate unoptimized Corel products.

GIMP is exactly as Blue said. It's GRRRREAT until you learn Photoshop hotkeys are better.

BlueXIV · Sep 01, 2009, 05:57 AM // 05:57

Paintshop Pro is something you don't want to get into unless you are very patient and very good at saving very often.

gremlin · Sep 01, 2009, 09:46 AM // 09:46

Art packages are like beauty in the eye of the beholder what one person may like another will hate.
Paint shop pro has a lot going for it

I know one professional that uses Corel Draw and considers all else rubbish while I find it overly complex.

I began with Gimp then tried Pixia both were good enough for my needs.
Then I was given Paint shop pro which I found brilliant and easy to use, until some years later I discovered Adobe Photoshop.

PSP and Adobe remained installed till I had learned the controls of Adobe, the only bad point about adobe is the price.

Elephantaliste · Sep 01, 2009, 10:41 AM // 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espadon

D: Paint Shop Pro bleehhhhhh

I hate unoptimized Corel products.

GIMP is exactly as Blue said. It's GRRRREAT until you learn Photoshop hotkeys are better.

He said that once you are used to one of hotkeys mapping it is hard to switch program.
That doesn't mean any of shortkey mapping is better or not.

to OP : apparently you need to learn and use some tutorial about layers, masks, etc.

This tools are included in any advanced editing software.
Keep in mind, that mastering a tool doesn't make you an artist.

Winstar · Sep 01, 2009, 03:38 PM // 15:38

I'd post some paintings and drawings, but they weren't backed up and my laptop where they were located is dead in the shop.

I'd agree that the interface has a bit of a learning curve, but once you spend an afternoon working it with and reading a bit (or a simple video tutorial) and get warmed up to the program its a very powerful tool. I remember I wanted to make comic text bubbles and it was a pain, but once I learned how, I had picked up quite a lot of general information about the functioning of the program/layers etc which I could apply more generally.

Layers are great. Think of them as a pile of transparencies that you can stack on top of one another that form 1 picture. The advantage is you can work on distinct parts of the work without disturbing others. When you're done with it all, they get all merged together in one sheet. Maybe this was unnecessary commentary that you already knew, if so I apologize.

Found this in my email...keep in mind its pretty much garbage and I was just messing around with painting clouds in gimp and doing some very basic learning things...anyway...embarrassed...

hoodiestarfish · Sep 01, 2009, 05:48 PM // 17:48

gimp is awesome. its actually better than PS for things like pixel art.

Espadon · Sep 01, 2009, 06:55 PM // 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoodiestarfish

gimp is awesome. its actually better than PS for things like pixel art.

It probably is, but I still use MS paint for my pixel pushing needs xD

i manequin i · Sep 01, 2009, 07:53 PM // 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueXIV

Well I tested GIMP. Was an extremely frustration experience.

Don't get me wrong, GIMP seems to be an excellent program. It has almost everything you would need.

Except one thing. PHOTOSHOP HOTKEYS.

GIMP hotkeys are mapped to other stuff, so when someone is extremely used to photoshop, using GIMP is like switching your dominant hand.

Verdict: use if you have not used photoshop for years.

^What I got after 15 minutes of trying to figure where things are and scribbling.

lol i know how ya feel, it si quite hard to start using. but i guess I'll just have to keep trying

i manequin i · Sep 01, 2009, 09:28 PM // 21:28

y'know that clamy feeling you get when you realise something then decide that your not anywhere near what is really going on? do i need one fo those pads that you can draw on to do art on comp? or is mouse fine?

i manequin i · Sep 01, 2009, 10:08 PM // 22:08

denver2.jpg here's the only photo editing I ever did, so thats about the extent of my art in GIMP. i did some stuff on paper, but don't rlly wanna scan in. the picture is UFO over denver colorado if people can't view it