The GIMP
 

This is a free program for Windows. It is an program for cropping images etc. It is far better than Paint imo. It can be downloaded from http://www.gimp.org or if that link doesn't connect it can also be downloaded from here

Make sure that you also download and install GTK+ 2 first.

For Mac OS X 10.3 Panther users this program is already part of the OS.

EDIT: Can this be moved to Internet.
WNA

Re: The GIMP
 

It can do rather a lot more than cropping images ;)

Re: The GIMP
 

Sorry couldn't remember all the features off the top of my head :D

Re: The GIMP
 

The last few issues of ComputerActive has contained tutorials on its use.

Re: The GIMP
 

GIMP = Poor mans Photoshop. Tried it years ago, hated it, never used it again.

Re: The GIMP
 

Basically, while it does lack all of the features of something like Photoshop it is growing and fast becoming a real alternative to PS. It's all down to choice, but you can't argue with a powerful image manipulation program that's free :D

Re: The GIMP
 

I agree, out of the free ones you could use, GIMP is the best, I think PS will always be the defacto application for graphic and web designers though.

Re: The GIMP
 

You cant get any better than free. Mac OS X 10.3 Panther users get it as part of the OS. Man they're lucky.

Re: The GIMP
 

Of course you can get better than free, and why are they lucky? It's easy to install under Windows.

Re: The GIMP
 

I actually meant that it comes part of the OS for them. But i do think you have a valid point. Straight forward installation under Windows.

Re: The GIMP
 

I'm pretty sure that we understand that, you have afterall told us three times now ;) They're lucky I suppose if they don't have an internet connection or access to broadband.

Re: The GIMP
 

Exactly :D :tu:

Re: The GIMP
 

Comes for free with most Linux installations too...

Re: The GIMP
 

thats interesting to know for any Linux users then :D

Re: The GIMP
 

Also try IrfanView if you want a very nice multimedia app, but predominantly for images of pretty much any description (including photoshop files and icons) good for quick basic edits and recolours, batch editing/renming and thumnail creation.

I have it set as my default viewer becuase it's so fast - but there is no substitute for Photoshop when it comes to manipulation.

Re: The GIMP
 

Of course, The Gimp ain't gonna replace PS as the industry standard, but for the home user, I think The Gimp is a fantastic tool - you get PS-style tools at GNU-style prices. I use it under Linux (as does every other Linux user I know) and would recommend it to Windoze users over Paint Shop Pro any day.

Plus it has a much cooler name than PS ;)

Re: The GIMP
 

We are lucky for a whole lot more reasons than the GIMP ;)

I'm certain that part of the reason Apple went for an open-source UNIX core when re-designing Mac OS was to increase the amount of useful, free software available to Mac users. It is now relatively easy to port from Linux to Mac OSX. In the long term, 'lack of software' will become less and less of a barrier to those who know Macs are superior but can't quite bring themselves to own one :D

Re: The GIMP
 

I've always equated Mac owners with ex-smokers for some reason - can't think why!

Re: The GIMP
 

Download Poser......thats fun tooo.


As for graphic design..... Photoshop and Illustrator are the main ones I'd say.