Shareware/Freeware programs

[GroG]

I'm looking for basically a good Freeware photoshop like program. I was trying to make my own sig last night (since no one will help me in sig request thread), and I realized OpenOffice didn't have much in the way of image editing stuff.

Oh, and I'll take sugguestions for other free programs here. I always like free opensource projects, as long as they support regular/standard file-formats (jpeg, word, zip, etc).

Also, feel free to use this thread to ask for help on other open source stuff you guys want, maybe we can help each other with site links and recommendations.

[Modred]

For simple editing, go with Paint.NET (http://www.getpaint.net/). It's released under an MIT style license and gives you more or less "MS Paint+". Not to detract from it by saying that; the + adds quite a bit.

More advanced things can be achieved through The GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/), which is released under the GNU GPL. I personally use GIMP for all but several basic things.

Paint.NET is great for creating simple images and placing text; my current sig/avy combo took about 1 minute to create. GIMP offers more advanced controls like channels, curves, thresholds, scripting, more filters, more tools, etc. I generally use it for photo manipulations and the like. There is an addon to GIMP that makes it more like Photoshop called Gimpshop, but I haven't used that and cannot testify to either it's usefulness or freedom.

[U-238]

For sigs GIMP is probably the best freeware program availible.

I can try my hand at a siggy for ya. Depending on what you want... ;)

[Zerg_eater]

I'm looking for basically a good Freeware photoshop like program. I was trying to make my own sig last night (since no one will help me in sig request thread), and I realized OpenOffice didn't have much in the way of image editing stuff.

Oh, and I'll take sugguestions for other free programs here. I always like free opensource projects, as long as they support regular/standard file-formats (jpeg, word, zip, etc).

Also, feel free to use this thread to ask for help on other open source stuff you guys want, maybe we can help each other with site links and recommendations.Gimp works! go to gimp.org, its like photoshop.

[King_Critter]

Lawl. No, it's not gimp.com.

Try gimp.org. (http://www.gimp.org)

[Zerg_eater]

Huh? oh dangit!

[King_Critter]

There is an addon to GIMP that makes it more like Photoshop called Gimpshop, but I haven't used that and cannot testify to either it's usefulness or freedom.

Oh, and thanks for the heads up -- I'm downloading it now. Looks pretty sweet; a lot more user freindly then regular Gimp. :P


Also, I'm actually looking for a program... A free (open-source or not) alternitive to Adobe Flash. The closest I could find was Coffee Cup Software's Flash Movie Maker (shareware) but it doesn't offer near the functionality of Adobe Flash.

[Neo]

Uhm, no offense, but saying Gimp is like Photoshop is just wrong.

Gimp is like Photoshop in the sense that, yeah its possible to mimic just about everything Photoshop can do -- but Gimp is like a blunt instrument. you've got to know what your doing before you even use it.

Paint.NET is an easy to use alternative to Photoshop, that functions in a similar manner, and gives you more of the standard "photoshop-like effects" you see in sigs and stuff.

There are even people who drop photoshop for paint.net -- Hell I would, but I'm lazy. Paint.NET uses less resources then PS:CS, heh.

If you're looking to make some cool sigs or something, then get Paint.NET.

-Neo

[Modred]

There are even people who drop photoshop for paint.net
Paint.NET has some great features, and I find it much easier to pick up with no prior knowledge than PS. However, I still find that PS, even GIMP, beat out Paint.NET in a few critical areas (unless you know how to do masks in Paint.NET and are willing to share the information). There are other features, but that's the one that I use most in either PS or GIMP that I haven't found in Paint.NET.

At least Paint.NET has levels and curves, and a few other more "high-end" tools, along with making certain edits very easy (adding text comes to mind; I find this easier in Paint.NET than PS or GIMP).

Anyway, my first real foray into image editing came with GIMP, and having slogged through the learning curve, you would imagine that I'm slighly partial to it. And PS still beats both of the competitors when it comes to batch editing, as far as I can tell. I don't even know if batch editing is possible in Paint.NET or GIMP.

[Sikawtic]

Adobe Flash ftw.

Goto Adobe.com, find the latest 30 day trial. Then use our little friend called "google" I think you know what I'm getting at.

[OboeGuru]

That's not freeware/shareware, that's pirate-ware.
Big difference.

Warboards and its community does not endorse illegal practices. You can do what you want on the privacy of your own computer, but don't encourage others to engage in such activities.

[GroG]

At first I thought that was a cut-away-view of a rifle, and I thought "that's neat!", but then I realized it was an oboe. And now.. ;(

I'm gonna try out Paint.net I think, I'll let you guys know when I get confused and I'll whine for help.

[Neo]

If your using Paint.NET you won't get confused as easily as you would with The GIMP.

Modred, I understand your POV, I've used Gimp in the past, but I find it more of a hinderance. Back when I was younger I was so scared about using Photoshop, it was one of those "big professional" programs. But now I've used it for so long, I've become pretty proficient with it, though Brushing Techniques, and Paths (?) still elude me somewhat.

I love OSS, but in my opinion, until GIMP gets a long over do GUI redesign and update, I will not recommend it to people who "just want to make cool sigs" ;)

-Neo

[Dayoh]

I found a CD at Tafe it has the complete "macromedia suite" on it, I found "fireworks" to be a good image-editing program for web designers and IT peoples, so it might be ok for sigs.

[Aquarian]

I love OSS, but in my opinion, until GIMP gets a long over do GUI redesign and update, I will not recommend it to people who "just want to make cool sigs" ;)

You know, one can always learn easily how to use a program by reading tutorials. (http://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/gimp/) This goes for all programs, not only GIMP. That is the way many learn how to use a program efficiently.

[Neo]

You know, one can always learn easily how to use a program by reading tutorials. (http://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/gimp/) This goes for all programs, not only GIMP. That is the way many learn how to use a program efficiently.

The GIMP has a difficult learning curve right off the bat though. Besides, not many people are interested in following tutorials when all they want is a simple graphic.

-Neo

[Aquarian]

Well, if they want a simple graphic, one can always request for it. Learning how to do something yourself requires time and determination.

But, I can't say anything about GIMP as I've never used it before. :P

[GroG]

Well, as you can see I made myself an avatar and a sig. Now I need to learn cool functions like blurring and stuff.

Thanks for your guys help, the program is neat.

[Zeltaris]

You win, GroG. I hope to see you pop around CC more often... no, wait. I don't hope. I command you to ;)

[King_Critter]

Adobe Flash ftw.

Goto Adobe.com, find the latest 30 day trial. Then use our little friend called "google" I think you know what I'm getting at.

Well, that was actually the first thing I thought of -- but you see, it's less the price and more the principle. I just don't want to be affiliated with a company that charges six-hundred dollars for a piece of software. Even though I wouldn't be supporting them in any way; like I said, it's the principle.

You know, one can always learn easily how to use a program by reading tutorials. (http://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/gimp/) This goes for all programs, not only GIMP. That is the way many learn how to use a program efficiently.

If anyone's interested, I find the Gimp Users Group (http://gug.sunsite.dk/?page=tutorials&PHPSESSID=9de2f02d9bc9e4cd18664444389310ce) to be a marvelous source for well written, easy to understand tutorials.

[Sithius]

Have you downloaded the 30 day trial for Photoshop CS2? I suggest you do so, at least you can use it for a little time... and you can always buy it or "buy" it if you like it :)

[DoctorZettabyte]

Macromedia Fireworks is a good "middle-of-the-road" type of program. Shallow but long learning curve (oxymoron?), though. Highly recommended. Not as professional as flash, but is much better than MS Paint.

-DocTera