Photoshop 7 vs Gimp

[aka23]

I only have a few hours of online time left in my CS2 trial. I have grown dependent on Photoshop, but I do not use it enough to justify the cost.

After my CS2 expires, would I be able to use an earlier version of photoshop, such as 7.0? Or would the CS2 trial expiration prevent me from using other trial versions of photoshop?

Assuming that I will be able to use P7, is it superior to other less expensive alternatives, such as Gimp? What specific actions are missing from Gimp?

[GoneFission]

I use the GIMP pretty much exclusively now, but there's a few things I miss from PS. It's been probably a year since I used PS, but let's see...

GIMP does not have adjustment layers, so adjustments such as curves, saturation, etc.. cannot be tweaked later. In other words, it does not remember what adjustments have been made, other than in the undo history.

Can't think of anything else right now, but I'll ponder it some more.

Overall, I think the GIMP is an excellent program, and it has served me very well. There are a lot of scripts available to do various things, from filters to text effects. I say give it a try, since it's not like it's going to cost you anything.

You might also want to look at Paint Shop Pro... I haven't used it in a couple years, but it was a great program then, and I understand it still is.

[arpi]

Gimp here too. All I use is Unsharp-Mask (Filters, Enhance, Unsharp-Mask).

yeap, that's all I use it for (+ crop and scale ans save-as).

Cheers

[aka23]

I downloaded both and tried them out. After using CS2, I found Gimp to be a dissapointment. The most important lacking feature I noticed was the magnetic lasso; but there were several others. The interface was also awkward. Photoshop 7 was closer to CS2 than I had hoped. The key features that I use are there. The few missing features that I use are not essential.

[etaf]

adobe elements 3 is a lot cheaper and ideal for photographers, {not sure if you can download a demo from the adobe website}

You can use actions in elements
http://www.dpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2024

Add Curves, mask, channell to Elements 3 for FREE
http://www.dpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1584

[PhotosGuy]

The most important lacking feature I noticed was the magnetic lasso AKA23, I think I used it once in the last 3 years & found that I still don't like it. For me, this works a lot better:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=82876

I've used GIMP & I liked it. It has some filters that I thought were better than PS. I'm using PS7 now & it does everything I need it to. Take a look at this:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=82861

The combination of RSE & PS7 are good enough that I see no reason to upgrade to PSCS2.
For "normal" shots I shoot RAW & use the free RSE (RawShooter Essentials) since it came out & wouldn't be without it now. I usually only go into PS to crop, resize & do some final sharpening with an Action unless it's a complex shot. For the simple shots, RSE saves the conversion info so I can delete the big tiff file & save a lot of hard drive space in the long run.

[CappuccinoDavid]

Well I do graphics and I really like CS2, I've tried GIMP a long time ago but I find myself going back to PS for I know how to work it better. I have nothing against GIMP but I'm a PS person myself and I don't think I'm going to change any time soon.

[learjet035]

Nothing really compares to CS2 IMO, try Adobe elements 3, that should do you good $129.99 on Amazon.

[michapma]

Nothing really compares to CS2 IMO

I hear that CS compares pretty well to CS2. :)

I used the GIMP a couple years before PS, but more for general image manipulation and less for photography. It has fewer plug-ins than PS and I'm fairly sure it doesn't support RAW images directly (PSE3 now does). This can be a pain if you work with RAW very much, unless you are happy to use a different program to convert the RAWs to another lossless format, although I think that working directly with RAW must be better.

I realized the other day that PS allows you to rotate crops and change its sides while preserving ratio, and GIMP doesn't. Beyond plug-ins and filters, there are several small things and a few important things that PS either has that GIMP doesn't, or else implements better. Nevertheless, my impression is there are really very few important things PS can do that the GIMP can't.

The user interface of Photoshop is likely to seem awkward if you are going from GIMP to PS, just as the GIMP is likely to seem awkward if going from PS to GIMP. That's something you quickly get used to and IMO not really an argument unless there is something about an interface you just can't stand.

I should add that the current version of GIMP (2.2) is vastly improved over what was available a couple of years ago. Its interface is much nicer, it has several more features and it also runs much more stably in Windows (this is probably more the GTK than GIMP). If you haven't tried it recently, then you might be interested in looking at it again. An important advantage of Photoshop over the GIMP (as well as most any other similar program) is that there are more people out there using PS, so it's easier to find help or how to do perform a given task.

Despite what the GIMP can do (and it's always getting better), Photoshop is simply more professional, has more, does more and creates a better workflow.

On a budget, I'd say PS Pro, Elements 3 and the GIMP are the best options. GIMP is of course the best option for *NIX enthusiasts, and (pirates aside) unquestionably gives the best bang for your buck.

[PhotosGuy]

It has fewer plug-ins than PS and I'm fairly sure it doesn't support RAW images directly (PSE3 now does). This can be a pain if you work with RAW very much, unless you are happy to use a different program to convert the RAWs to another lossless format, although I think that working directly with RAW must be better. It may be easier, but I don't see where it's "better". An important advantage of Photoshop over the GIMP (as well as most any other similar program) is that there are more people out there using PS, so it's easier to find help or how to do perform a given task. Excellent point! OTOH, GIMP has a large community that's always been happy to help out. Photoshop is simply more professional, has more, does more and creates a better workflow. Very true. It's about 1 "L" more expensive, too!!

Starting out on a budget, I'd suggest Elements 3 and the GIMP are the best options. As I said above, after converting in RSE, "I usually only go into PS to crop, resize & do some final sharpening with an Action unless it's a complex shot." Almost any imaging utility will work for that, & I've had no compelling reason to upgrade from PS7.
;)

[michapma]

It may be easier, but I don't see where it's "better".
I suppose that's true enough, although many might consider easier better. Better use of time, though perhaps not better in terms of image quality.

OTOH, GIMP has a large community that's always been happy to help out.
Yes. 8)

Starting out on a budget, I'd suggest Elements 3 and the GIMP are the best options. As I said above, after converting in RSE, "I usually only go into PS to crop, resize & do some final sharpening with an Action unless it's a complex shot." Almost any imaging utility will work for that, & I've had no compelling reason to upgrade from PS7.
;)
Yes, I'd say paying for Photoshop for such simple tasks is overkill.

[arpi]

I hear that CS compares pretty well to CS2. :)
I realized the other day that PS allows you to rotate crops and change its sides while preserving ratio, and GIMP doesn't. Beyond plug-ins and filters, there are several small things and a few important things that PS either has that GIMP doesn't, or else implements better. Nevertheless, my impression is there are really very few important things PS can do that the GIMP can't.


I am not sure what 'preserving ratio' means. In The Gimp you can also rotate crops to any degree: layer/transfrom/arbitrary rotation. It looks like it preserves the 'ratio.'

CS2 is excellent from what I hear, but I don't know if I needed. The Gimp 2.2 is very good and complete for what I do (you can use clone tool to correct skin, etc) and there is a plugin to make it work just like CS2 (it will look and work just like photoshop) if you want. I use the Linux version (which they say is a little bit better).

Cheers

[aka23]

Nothing really compares to CS2 IMO, try Adobe elements 3, that should do you good $129.99 on Amazon.

Ebay is another option. I just bought Adobe Photoshop 8.0 CS + Adobe Photoalbum 2.01 for $19.46 . I was the only bidder.

[tucked]

Ebay is another option. I just bought Adobe Photoshop 8.0 CS + Adobe Photoalbum 2.01 for $19.46 . I was the only bidder.

At prices like that, Adobe might go out of business... :(

[michapma]

I am not sure what 'preserving ratio' means. In The Gimp you can also rotate crops to any degree: layer/transfrom/arbitrary rotation. It looks like it preserves the 'ratio.'

What I mean is when you rotate the crop box before cropping, i.e. the trace that shows what you have selected to crop.

I didn't know about that plug-in, I'll have to check it out. Do you have a name or a link for it?

Ebay is another option. I just bought Adobe Photoshop 8.0 CS + Adobe Photoalbum 2.01 for $19.46 . I was the only bidder.

!!!! :cool: :idea:

[michapma]

Ebay is another option. I just bought Adobe Photoshop 8.0 CS + Adobe Photoalbum 2.01 for $19.46 . I was the only bidder.

I still can't believe that. Even used, noone would sell an original copy at that price. Since your post I've been looking at several offers of Photoshop CS, and I've found sellers who are selling multiple copies very cheap with few bids. This is fairly obvious to me that these are illegal bootleg copies, and can't be registered with Adobe, even if their customers are satisfied. Alas, too good to be true... :(

[aka23]

I still can't believe that. Even used, noone would sell an original copy at that price. Since your post I've been looking at several offers of Photoshop CS, and I've found sellers who are selling multiple copies very cheap with few bids. This is fairly obvious to me that these are illegal bootleg copies, and can't be registered with Adobe, even if their customers are satisfied. Alas, too good to be true... :(

I have attached soome screen shots. I found it during my first search for photoshop on ebay, so this either happens often, I was fortunate, or there are issues that I will find out later. The seller told me she is sending it out in 1-2 days. She has a high rating on Ebay from others who have bought her items. One with a similar "Buy it Now" price is at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51344&item=7166761134&rd=1
I think this link is more suspicious than the individual used copy I purchased.

[PhotosGuy]

Be sure to scan the CD for Malware before you install. There have been a lot of stories of hackers using that sort of software to get into your computer.:cry:

[arpi]

I didn't know about that plug-in, I'll have to check it out. Do you have a name or a link for it?

it is called gimpshop

http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=241

Cheers

[michapma]

it is called gimpshop

http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=241

Cheers

Thanks!

[dandan]

the GIMP is good.. but photoshop is better.

not to promote warez there are other very cheap ways to get photoshop.

[etaf]

is that cheap and legal ?
would be very interested, as I often recommend photoshop, and because of the price then elements/ the gimp /PSP etc

[etaf]

great idea, was keen to download and try - as I know a lot of people who want a good editor - BUT its not available for windows :( :(

EDIT:
opppsss seen the update - off to try it out

[michapma]

the GIMP is good.. but photoshop is better.

not to promote warez there are other very cheap ways to get photoshop.

Care to elaborate? I'm very interested, but only in both cheap and legal ways.

cheers

[PhotosGuy]

BUT its not available for windows The new version isn't, but the old is still available on the site & it was pretty good.

[etaf]

Thanks photosGuy - I found a link with the windows version, I'm not sure which version is the latest or earlier "gimp background window version 2.1" otherwise from the tool bar about - it stats 2.2.4

seems to work OK

[aka23]

I still can't believe that. Even used, noone would sell an original copy at that price. Since your post I've been looking at several offers of Photoshop CS, and I've found sellers who are selling multiple copies very cheap with few bids. This is fairly obvious to me that these are illegal bootleg copies, and can't be registered with Adobe, even if their customers are satisfied. Alas, too good to be true... :(

I received the Photoshop CD in the mail today. I successfully activated the program, and everything seems to work correctly.

[ebann]

How does GIMP 2.6.7 fare now against PS7/CS/CS2?

[nphsbuckeye]

Holy thread revival Batman!

Well, Gimp is free, so that's really sweet. Truth be told, more than likely the vast majority of PS users don't use the features that differentiates CS4 from PSE7.

I'd get the Gimp, use it a while to see if you like it, then look at what CS4 has that Gimp doesn't. Remember, Adobe has 30 day trials for its products, so you can use it a good bit before spending $590.

[Rudeofus]

I'm a linux user, so PS is not an option for me. Unfortunately, GIMP 2.6.7 still uses 8 bit colors for most of its operations, so while some tasks work well, color correction works better in the 16 bit capable KDE photo tool chain (digiKam). GIMP is currently in the transition to higher res colors and I'm very anxious when GIMP 2.8 will be available and how well it will work with 16 bit colors. My recommendation for a free tool chain would be digiKam (includes RAW converter) for all tasks which operate on the whole image (rotation, cropping, color correction), then down convert to 8 bits, then optionally use GIMP for all the pixel manipulations (text insertion, healing, sharpening, other manipulations).

For all non-linux users: I assume there are KDE binaries available for Windows&Mac.

[mdruziak]

For all non-linux users: I assume there are KDE binaries available for Windows&Mac.

Yes GIMP is available for Windows. I have used it on both Linux and Windows and I have never really liked it. To me, it seems more difficult to use than PS. Maybe that is just because I haven't spent enough time with it.

[Rudeofus]

Yes GIMP is available for Windows. I have used it on both Linux and Windows and I have never really liked it. To me, it seems more difficult to use than PS. Maybe that is just because I haven't spent enough time with it.
GIMP may be more work but the price makes it very attractive. Don't forget that Adobe Elements may be cheap, but upgrades aren't free, so GIMP saves you every time you get a new feature. Many folks, who criticized GIMP for lacking features have mostly ignored recent feature additions. I'd love to see 16 bit colors (they are currently worked on) and adjustment layers may be a nice thing to have, but both together aren't worth 100 Euros every other year.

BTW: I know very well, that GIMP runs under Windows, my wife uses GIMP on her laptop. It was digiKam I wasn't sure about. I just checked, and there seem to be binaries available here (http://windows.kde.org/), although they're not the newest version.