Free Graphics Design Software

So basically, I want to get back into graphics design, but I just don't have the money to shell for Photoshop and my honesty complex is keeping me from torrenting it.

The big question: Gimp or Paint.NET?

3..... 2..... 1.....

GO!

 

You should have added a poll. I like Paint.

 

I always used Paint.NET before i got Photoshop.

It was close but not as good. ive heard GIMP is better, never gave it a shot though.

 

Good point.

If a mod would be so kind as to add a poll, if possible, I'd be very grateful.

 

I like Gimp. I have photoshop, but usually use Gimp. It's probably best to just download both, start with an image, and work with it in each program to see which you like better.

 

I used to use photoshop CS2 but I've been using gimp for the last couple weeks.

I think there pretty comparable, anything I ever wanted to do in CS2 I can do in Gimp but I'm not an advanced user, just making web optimised images, transparent background images that sort of thing.

 

Yeah, I'm just going to download them both and try them out.

Thanks for the tips!

 

BRL-CAD, GIMP, Blender, & InkScape are the Big Four to concentrate on.

 

Yeah.. I used to be the "free guy" .. running Gimp, Inkscape, Blender...

Oh well.. Now I am working with Autodesk Maya, Autodesk SketchBook, Photoshop CS4, Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk Nuke, Autodesk Mudbox.....

It'd be impossible to substitute these wonderful tools with free stuff.

 

I vote for Gimp.

There's your poll.

 

Padme, your generosity knows no bounds. I voted Paint, bit I should really give GIMP a try.

 

i think gimp has more features than paint.net. but for me, paint.net delivers what it should, and in a nice userfriendly way. so i voted paint.net. but for professional things, i guess gimp is better suited.

 

Paint. Net works well enough for me.

 

I'm going to have to support GIMP for its robust tool set. It also has better layer handling than Paint.net. However, you'll be held back by the anchor boundary until you get used to it. I really hate that thing. If you want to get into something quickly, then look at Paint.net. You might also want to look into OpenCanvas since there's both a free and a paid version. A lot of my friends love that...particularly the version with network paintchat. I haven't managed to get used to its tools.

I've tried to migrate away from Photoshop, but the free alternatives just don't cut it. Inkscape is pretty nice though. Low-cost alternatives like Corel Painter are very buggy...but passable. Painter gives some unique-looking touches to artwork.

 

Im not really familiar with these suggested pieces of equipment since I grew up/and still am using Photoshop.

But lately Ive been hearing a newcomer has introduced itself, and is winning ground with rapid speed. Its free, and online.. the possibilities are looking very cool. Weird that its free lol.
Have a look:

http://aviary.com/

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Inkscape is great, I'd suggest trying it out.

 

Awesome! Thanks for that!

 

Gimp is essentially an OpenSource Photoshop for the most part, as OpenOffice is and open source Microsoft Office.

There's also a modification for Gimp under the name 'Gimp Shop'.
It essentially transforms Gimp to look as much as Photoshop, so people who are making the transition from PS to Gimp would have an easier time.
I've used it somewhat, and I have to say it's quite good.

 

You are quite welcome.

 

If you have access to academic pricing, Adobe products can be had for 25% of retail price. Autodesk stuff is similarly priced.

 

I'd love to do this, and I can get Photoshop for around $350 or so from my University but that's $350 I still don't have.

If I had the money, or if I didn't have this honesty complex, I'd have Photoshop CS4 already.

But, I'm happy to report PDN is working pretty well for me. Now it's just a matter of finding all the right plug-ins.

 

Photoshop CS4. Get it for cheap using academic discounts. All other graphics software is a waste of time to learn to use since they are rarely if ever used in the professional graphics world should you go that way.

Might as well learn to use something that may actually benefit you in the future.

Just my $0.02.

 

You make a good point. Though right now it's about learning the principles of design, learning the tools just comes with that.

 

I vote gimp. used it for various things and it got easy to use for me, and it has a lot of features imo. brushes..plugins..etc..
there is also another one..called aviary.com..you can do some cool stuff with it and has a lot of great features..again imo.

 

and if you are not that limited to "just know photoshop", you might actually be more valuable in the end.. knowing the principles is always more worth than knowing the tools. you can then quickly adapt, others might not be able to do so.