How close is GIMP to PS?

[Blade Borge]

???

 

[JeganRX]

Having only barely used it, I can't comment on the actual functionality, but I do know this:

Don't let Linux-fans tell you the UI is anywhere near Photoshop's.

 

[dadoboy]

I've used both. No comparison, Photoshop CS3 is miles ahead.
But GIMP is free. Not worth the time though when you're trying to do anything involved. Rather just buy PS or use the trial version for a while.

 

[Dan Clark]

I've used it. Gimp is a nice little tool. Works pretty well. OTOH...

If you want a robust tool that you'll trust for your art and maybe your career? PS CS4.

Dan.

 

[djbobbyrhodes]

::Echo::

I use gimp now because PS no longer works on my computer.

My freshman year of college, I had a nasty virus that wiped my whole computer. So, I gave it to the local computer guy to fix it for me. Unfortunately, he used an unlicensed version of windows. So now, no more service packs, and thus, no more photoshop.

Gimp is free. It seems to crash pretty often. But for a free program, it's pretty kick ass. However, PS is much better, more robust and actually a bit easier to use. When I wind up getting a new computer, I'll definitely be throwing down the cash to get CS4.

 

[Anhar_Miah]

Having tried GIMP, its great for what it is. But the UI made me silently uninstall it.

Another alternative to PS, is PIXEL:

http://www.kanzelsberger.com/pixel/?page_id=12

its NOT free but its really cheap, and PS users will feel right at home, it looks and feels almost the same.

Anhar

 

[dadoboy]

Yeah, I have to give a second big thumbs down to the GIMP UI. It seems so fragging non intuitive!

 

[adamrahn]

To reiterate what has been said already, GIMP and PS are not that similar. While many here seem to not like GIMP, as someone who has used it extensively, I find it to be a great program. Yes, there are many differences between the two programs and switching back and forth between the two would be silly. However, I would say if you know the basics and are willing to learn (there are just as many GIMP tutorials out there as there are PS ones) then GIMP can be a great tool to use, just as many here would agree that you don't need the biggest or best camera to make quality videos. Just my opinion

 

[Mark Harris]

I use GIMP all the time, without any problem whatsoever. I'd say for 99% of what a filmmaker has to do, it's perfectly fine.

One thing it lacks is CYMK mode. For someone like my GF, who prints her photographs, this is obviously critical and makes GIMP a non-starter.

But once I got my head around the UI - which is not that bad - I found it serves just about every task I need it for regarding my films and websites.