GIMP(GNU Image Manipulation Program) | All Open Source

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

GIMP(GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Introduction


GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.

It has many capabilities. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing program, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc.

GIMP is 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 simplest task to most complex image manipulation procedures to be easily scripted.

GIMP is written and developed under X11 on UNIX platforms. But basically the same code also runs on MS Windows and Mac OS X.



Why Its Unfair to Compare GIMP with Photoshop


Considering the fact that GIMP is the default image editor for many popular Linus distros and Photoshop is not yet available for Linus users, GIMP is heralded by Linux users as their own version of Photoshop. This can be a fact to a certain extent but not always.

For example, when Linux user will ask non-Linux user about GIMP, he will just say "I am a Photoshop user!".

We cannot overlook the fact that Photoshop is, indeed, the industry standard when it comes to image editing and authoring.


Major Difference Between GIMP And Photoshop


Being a Linux user and GIMP lover, I will try to compare Photoshop and GIMP to the best of my knowledge.

What exactly does GIMP have to offer when pitched against Photoshop?

The primary difference between the GIMP and Photoshop is the price.

GIMP is absolutely free and open source software. You are welcome to donate amount to the GIMP project if you so desire, but you have the option to use it without paying any penny.

On the other hand, Photoshop costs  approx. $650 on Amazon.com.

In terms of hardware requirements, GIMP needs lesser hardware resources (RAM, disk space) than Photoshop.

Also GIMP is cross-platform, that is it can be used on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms but Photoshop is not yet available for Linus users.

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Make The Switch From GIMP To Photoshop Easier


If you are moving from Photoshop to GIMP, you can try GIMPShop. It has the same functionality as the GIMP, but uses a Photoshop like user interface instead of the default GIMP interface.

GIMP vs. Photoshop

Share your personal experience by commenting below.
For further information:

http://www.gimp.org/

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