GIMP

GIMP is a powerful, free image editing suite that rivals paid software like Photoshop.

What is GIMP?

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program because it got its start on Unix platforms. It can be used as a simple replacement for programs like Microsoft Paint, or a powerful image editing tool to rival Photoshop. It also features an online batch processing system and a mass production image renderer.

The best part of using GIMP is that it is expandable with extensions and plug-ins. It also supports an advanced scripting interface to make complex image editing easier. Scripting individual but repetitive edits can infinitely improve workflow, especially on batch images. The GIMP program is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux as open-source software.

Open-source software is one reason why GIMP is so extensible. Anyone with coding expertise can write a plug-in for a specific format or tool.

GIMP Features

GIMP features a customizable interface that allows its users to adapt their workflow to their needs. The entire interface is modular, so individual docks and tabs can be enabled or disabled as needed. The program also features a full-screen mode to help avoid distractions and provide a full preview of the editing canvas.

The program includes several photo enhancement improvements that are one-click to implement. Fixing perspective distortion can be fixed with transform tools. Editing barrel distortion and vignetting are possible with filters. The channel mixer makes black and white photography pop with expanded tools.

A full suite of painting tools makes drawing and creating art a breeze. GIMP also features sub-pixel sampling for paint tools and anti-aliasing for drawings. A gradient editor and blend tool are available, along with support for custom brushes and patterns.

GIMP Advanced Manipulation

• Alpha channel support
• Multiple Undo/Redo support
• Layer and channel support
• Editable text layers
• Selection tools
• Foreground extraction tool
• Transformable paths and selections
• Quickmask for painting

GIMP also includes support for several input devices, including pressure-sensitive tablets. The app supports binding frequently used actions to buttons or keys on MIDI controllers and USB wheel input devices. The broad device support helps artists speed up their workflow by creating shortcuts with their input devices.

GIMP supports a wide variety of file formats, including JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, and other exclusive formats. Plug-ins add additional format support thanks to an extensive community of authors working tirelessly. GIMP also makes preserving file structure accessible by supporting loading and saving files from FTP, HTTP, or SSH.

The plug-in registry is a great place to start for additional file support and functions. GIMP supports saving any format as an archive (ZIP, GZ, or BZ2) to save space without needing other archiving software. You can also clone your installation of GIMP to install it across multiple environments, reducing setup time.

GIMP Pros & Cons

While GIMP is a powerful and extensive suite of photo editing software, it is not without its faults. The program can run slower on older hardware, making workflow slow down. It also needs lots of hard drive space for larger file formats due to its unlimited redo capabilities.

GIMP is perfect for the starting hobbyist or occasional blogger who needs photo editing software. It doesn't integrate with as many services as Photoshop, putting it at a disadvantage in connectivity.

Most educational tutorials that teach advanced techniques are designed with Photoshop in mind, which can be hard to translate. Online tutorials do exist for GIMP, but they are nowhere near as robust as what is available to Photoshop artists. Most are YouTube videos from fellow creatives, rather than professionally taught classes.

GIMP's lack of integration with other Adobe Creative suite products put it at a disadvantage, too. Illustrator, InDesign, and Dreamweaver are all essential tools in the web designer's tool chest. The ease of integration with Photoshop is why many designers never shift away from Adobe's Creative Suite.

Pros:

• Advanced image manipulation program
• Open source, free on Mac/Windows/Linux
• Extensible with 100 different plug-ins
• Supports a wide variety of file formats
• Includes animation support and frame navigator
• Load and save many file formats
• SVG path import and export support
• User-friendly and customizable interface
• Supports tons of USB input devices
• Widely supported by its developers

Cons:

• Can freeze sometimes
• Mobile version isn't feature complete
• Bath processing is slow
• Online version feels incomplete

What about GIMP online?

There is an online-only version of GIMP for people who do not want to download software on their PC. Unfortunately, it is not as robust as the downloadable version of GIMP.

The online version doesn't support uploading files unless you pay for the premium version. The premium version of GIMP costs $7 per month to use. It also enables access to plug-in support for the mobile version. GIMP mobile is also very resource-intensive, so you'll need a modern Android device with a powerful processor to run it.