GIMP (GNU
Image Manipulation Program) is an iconic example of successful free
software for image management in the age of Digital Photography. Thanks
largely to some advanced software such as GIMP and some proprietary
photo imaging software such as Photoshop – creating and editing photos, artwork – is now not just for professionals and Film Studios but for personal use as well.
Though there is a sizeable market for
Photoshop, at the heart of digital photos industry are experts who swear
by the scope and wide-ranging flexibility GIMP offers
them. Be it filters that allow them to start artwork from scratch, GIMP
to many users, is more than an ‘image manipulation’ tool. Because, if
the need arises all it takes are personalized scripts that can render
the desired effect professionals are aiming for- Versatility remains GIMP’s core feature.
Add to it high-performance features such
as better gradient tool, an expert lasso tool and definitely a better
ink tool; Drag handles for both rectangle /ellipse select tools, and you
have all the right function-features that are not so comfortable to use
on Photoshop. GIMP definitely makes for quicker and more intuitive use.
While Photoshop does offer a
‘well-packaged’ software for professional photographers as against the
‘upgrades and support’ by GIMP developer community, GIMP becomes a more
comfortable software to use as it overcomes, Photoshop’s sluggishness on
even slightly older software. GIMP remains- fast and easy to install
(is much smaller than Photoshop).
You can forget about using curves tools
in Photoshop, over an open window. For one, it will not allow you, and
besides, it is embedded in not in the Colors menu as in GIMP, but in the image-adjustments menu!
However, this is not to say Photoshop is
not good as a technical tool. It is, but at the price tag and bundled
features it offers, GIMP wins hands down because of the free-to-use
licensing it adopts.
A great deterrent in using Photoshop is
the very strict licensing stipulations; it becomes expensive and limits
the number of users. Free-to-use GIMP does not squabble about the
number of people using its software and instead encourages greater user
adoption, propagating FOSS philosophy.
Probably, where GIMP, really makes the
difference is in the ‘right click’ on an image to get to a menu, which
incidentally are not more than a layer deep. In Photoshop the
multi-layered drop down menu, which are not accessible on open windows,
do not just limit the user experience, but are actually frustrating in
the long run.
Photoshop is definitely, it has to
accepted, smoother but GIMP does make up for the jerks in paintbrush
cloning with the undistracted work flow it makes possible- cloning,
scaling more quicker, easier and intuitive.
Where GIMP truly wins over Photoshop would be its portability. It
can go on CD’s, memory sticks and sometimes the Xbox 360 (Microsoft) as
well. GIMP UI small real-estate, CMYK and 3D-features does give it the
scope of a Photoshop package but with the expensive price-tag.
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