CNET Editors' review
The volunteer developers of The GIMP have been working hard to develop a polished, user-friendly, and freely distributed image editor. Although the separated palette windows may disturb those users who are used to more traditional layouts, your comfort level should grow exponentially as you discover how pain-free the program is.
One of the most powerful general-purpose image editors around, the upgrades make the GNU Image Manipulation Program eminently comparable to Photoshop. Older features include channels, layers and masks, filters and effects, tabbed palettes, editable text tools, perspective clone, improved printing, and color operations such as levels. New improvements include GEGL integration for 32-bit color support, dynamic brushes, and more options for the free select tool. It even has regex-based pattern matching for power users.
The application provides professional tools that can stand against the big boys without the hefty price tag. Even the installation process has gotten simpler, with no need to download and install the GTX Runtime Environment separately. Extremely powerful and easy to work with, GIMP is ideal for both amateur and pro photographers, Web designers, or anyone who wants to create and edit professional-quality digital images on a budget.
Publisher's Description
From Gimp:
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a freely distributed piece of software suitable for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring. It is a powerful piece of software with capabilities not found in any other free software product. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert-quality photo-retouching program, an online batch-processing system, a mass production image renderer, or an image-format converter. GIMP is modular, 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 task to the most complex image-manipulation procedures to be easily scripted.
What's new in this version: Version 2.8.4 has added new features remember the "maximized" state across sessions, allow the text tool to start on an image without layers, and includes fixes for text style attribute handling.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 847 votes
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Current version:
4.4 starsout of 9 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-9 of 9
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"A powerful program"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
It does everything I need.
Cons
Sometimes not as intuitive as I would like.
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"Awesome Program"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
Without a doubt my favorite number one (Cnet) download by far. I have spent more hours learning how to use this program than I can count. It is the most amazing software I've ever used. If you are truly interested in "photo manipulation" but don't want to spend hundreds on Photo Shop, this is it.It has taken me countless hours of watching the many tutorials, but when the light bulb finally went off and I got the hang of using "Layers" I can do the coolest projects now. I would highly recommend this software to anyone who has an interest in "photo manipulation". I put this in quotation because it can be a bit complicated for simple editing purposes. There are simpler programs out there, but they want come close to the tools you have in GIMP. I would give it 6 stars if you had them.
Cons
Not a con but be prepared to spend some time learning the basics.
Summary
Downloaded on my (Windows 8) system with no issues. Just read before you click "next" while your installing, unless you want tool bars and other necessary advertisements. That's how they can provide it for free. There is a learning curve, but that's not painful if you enjoy what your doing. My thanks to the makers of GIMP and thanks again Cnet for another awesome free program.
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"THE BEST FRIEND A PHOTOGRAPHER CAN HAVE,,,4 FREE!!"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
IT'S AS EASY AS GETTING ON THE WEB , TURNING ON YOU TUBE,, SITTING BACK & LEARNING TO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR PHOTOS FOR FREE,, FROM IN STALL,, TO PLUGINS TO SCRIP-F U,, LEARN HOW TO USE THIS ''FREE'' PHOTO MANIPULATION PROGRAM,, ONCE AGAIN,, FOR '' FREE '' REDO OLD PHOTOGRAPHS B/W , GRAY SCALE , COLOR, DIGITAL , + IT LETS YOU RIP YOUR PHOTOS, OR OTHER TYPE PHOTOGRAPHS , THAN YOU CAN CHANGE THE FOR GROUND OR BACKGROUND OR THE WAY IT LOOKS WITH MASKS,LAYERS,BRUSHES,LEVELS,DIGITAL COLORS, & A LOT MORE THINGS IN SIDE,, IT'S ''FREE''
Cons
YOU HAVE TO LOOK,LISTEN & LEARN FOR FREE,,,ON YOU TUBE,,
Summary
IT'S ''FREE'' IT HAS ALL A PERSON WITH IMAGINATION,,SOME PHOTOGRAPHS,FROM A PHOTO SCANNER LIKE I USE, OR FROM THE WEB, OR YOUR OWN DSLR CAMERA ECT,, AND THAN YOU CAN TWIST THEM, TURN THEM, MIX THEM, CHANGE THE LOOK OR EVEN PUT YOUR OWN SUPER IMPOSED PERSON,PLACE OR THING,, YA,, LIKE A NOUN,,, OR YOU CAN REMOVE THAT PERSON , PLACE ,OR THING,,& KEEP ALL THE INFORMATION ON THAT PROJECT YOUR WORKING ON,,
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"More to Do"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
It does what other freeware of similar purpose and more.
Cons
Not an expert by a long shot so I am overwhelmed with all the settings possible. But it sure will be nice when I learn the purpose and uses of those settings, etc.
Summary
Very nice and useful software. May the forces of time carry it along.
I know the review is a bit superficial so be sure to try it since it really has a good many features.
Updated on Mar 26, 2013 -
"The only reason this aint 5 stars is the interface"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
there are many, too many too tell. I love this software I use it for all my editing needs. like putting a picture of myself standing in an alien landscape.
Cons
the interface sucks, royally, if you don't use gimp all the time. and its easy to forget whats what
Every so often it does mess up especially if you use undo a lot so save often.Summary
I don't know enough about the software or photo editing to write a very useful review. but I do use some of it's higher functions that lesser software could only dream of. I can say that if you cant buy photo shop this is its closest relative. if all you do is light editing such as color, size, cut and past then use photo scape.
I hadn't used photo scape for some time by the way but if it's the same now as it was then, than it'll work for grandparents. -
"Disconnected Collection"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
Free and a lot of menu items offered
Cons
No reasonable structure recognizable, take Paintshop as example please.
Summary
My second try and second remove-at-once
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"A very effective clone for beautiful graphics work"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
- relatively easy to use
- quick and efficient
- wide variety of functionsCons
- sometimes requires more clicks than necessary, and repetitive entry of info
Summary
For all of you with Photoshop envy, here is your solution! GIMP is a full-featured twin of Photoshop, with all of the features and a very similar interface. It's a fine demonstration of what the Internet originally set out to be - cooperative, supportive, and free. Of course there is advertising, but it's very much soft-sell, and totally non-intrusive.
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"There is a little known secret"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
Free Software
Ability to use the software how you want, not how the developer decides how you should use itCons
Some documentation/features could be better explained, but that is the beauty. You can make and distribute changes freely.
Summary
I have read negative reviews of The Gimp. They say is lacks several features that Photoshop has. Had they bothered to research anything about The Gimp, they would know the program has these things called plugins. They are reviewing only the stock version of The Gimp. Plugins for The Gimp are like apps for a smartphone. If you complain a smartphone can only access Twitter via the web browser, how would you look to other people when you complain about it not knowing there is a Twitter app?
Even if there was a feature you wanted but wasn't written, you could write that plugin. If you didn't have time or didn't know how to program, you can pay someone to do it for you. The only restriction is that if you distribute your change, you must make that change freely available to everyone.
But seriously, if someone tells you The Gimp lacks features, just direct them to the repository of plugins. A simple Google search for "plugins for the gimp" will direct you there. -
"I think this is BETTER than Paint Shop Pro, but FREE !"
Version: GIMP 2.8.4
Pros
So many wonderful tools, still learning how to use..but surprise at all that is offered for use. Gives the poor of money a way to have what the Rich have. Even on Social Security can do what those with plenty of money do...
Cons
Not enough people know about this wonderful software.
Summary
I tell everyone about it. Want them to have the same FUN I do now .God Bless the ones that offer this for free, I know it cost a considerable amount of money to make..an I appreciate it. Minister Sylvia Helton
Results 1-9 of 9
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