Best free/cheap editing program?

[ChrisPlatt]

My friend's new scanner didn't come with an editing program.
He'd like one that's easy to use, with a full range of basic controls.
Must be freeware, shareware, or very cheap (under $20.00).
Any recommendations?

TIA,
Chris

 

[Ash]

The Gimp / Gimpshop

its the free alternative to Photoshop. I use it almost exclusively because I've cut down on my pirate s/w usage


http://www.gimp.org/ make sure you get the correct release for your platform
http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=241

 

[AlexC]

I'll second the recommendation for The GIMP. Another good option for Windows users is Paint.NET:

http://www.eecs.wsu.edu/paint.net/

 

[Socke]

I third The Gimp, but it has a steep learning curve. OTOH, I don't know any software below $90 for windows.
Myself I'm using ACDsee Pro for most of my tasks, and the Gimp for everything else.

 

[Jerevan]

I think GIMP is good. It's free and does very much for that price. 😉 The basics are easily learnt but it takes some time to bring out all of its potential. The GIMPshop is also worth the extra download.

 

[John]

I purchased a brand new OEM copy of Photoshop Elements 4 from ebay. Price was $25 plus $15 shipping. (This is double your budget). I want to learn and be able to use one software package, rather than trying several others, always wondering what Photoshop does? 🙂

 

[Ash]

I've always found photoshop elements to be appalling. When you become familiar with the layout of Photoshop, and every little tweak and effect you will use everyday, to then use elements is painful. Elements has a totally different tool setup, and the names are all different on each toolbar.

Gimpshop is the closest you can get to Photoshop, and that's why I prefer to it paying for Elements. I know where the tools are going to be, and the shortcuts are near-identical.

 

[AlexC]

Pixel was recently featured on digg as a low-cost (USD $32) alternative to Photoshop. Haven't tried it, but it might be worth checking out too.

 

[jano]

If you want easy to use, try Google's Picasa. Free, very basic, limited controls. My parents love it 🙂

There was also some strange thing going on where you could get the latest version of Paint Shop Pro for $15-30.

You can also try Irfan View, it's a viewer with some limited editing functionality as well.

Jano

 

[John]

Gimpshop is the closest you can get to Photoshop, and that's why I prefer to it paying for Elements. I know where the tools are going to be, and the shortcuts are near-identical.

I just installed the Gimp. I'm sure it will be good so why not try? 🙂

 

[ch1]

Glad to see this thread.

I am rather derelict in duty in photo management myself and want to try Picasa. I tried to download GIMP once but was unsuccessful. Maybe I should try it again?

As an aside, I would point out that PS is not a photo management program - it is a photo processing system. In that realm, depending on what level of processing you desire, it is unequalled. I just ordered an upgrade for my PS CS to CS2 - I am hoping it includes Bridge which I've experienced in my PS class and seems to be a relatively straight forward pic management program. Of course it's not free and not stand alone.

 

[MelanieC]

I just downloaded Gimp but still need to get something off my OSX CD for it to work properly.

Would anyone be able to tell me what Photoshop (full version) has that's important that Gimp doesn't have? I'd like to buy Photoshop (right now I have an older version of Elements) but can't swing the cost right now so I'm going to try Gimp in the meantime.

 

[kmack]

I just downloaded Gimp but still need to get something off my OSX CD for it to work properly.

Would anyone be able to tell me what Photoshop (full version) has that's important that Gimp doesn't have? I'd like to buy Photoshop (right now I have an older version of Elements) but can't swing the cost right now so I'm going to try Gimp in the meantime.

I use GIMP on OSX exclusively.
For OSX you should only need the X11 support.

There are quite a few differences but the major difference is support for 16 bit color. Gimp only support 8 bit. I don't find that a deal killer for black and white.

The Photoshop "Healing Brush" is really a slick tool, the GIMP clone tool is not as slick. I use Photoshop at work and there really is nothing I do with Photoshop that I can not do with the GIMP.

 

[ch1]

I just downloaded Gimp but still need to get something off my OSX CD for it to work properly.

Would anyone be able to tell me what Photoshop (full version) has that's important that Gimp doesn't have? I'd like to buy Photoshop (right now I have an older version of Elements) but can't swing the cost right now so I'm going to try Gimp in the meantime.

Melanie,

See for yourself.

You can download a free, 30-day trial version of Photoshop CS2 from the Adobe website. 😉

 

[jano]

Melanie: With PS, you can work in different color modes, there's color management (not sure about gimp here) you can work in 16-bit as opposed to 8 bit (there are branches to gimp like cinepaint which do this), and a bunch of actions, different and more complex tools, etc. The spot-healing brush in PS is a godsend when it comes to dust and scratches on B&W scanned film.

The interface between the two is a bit different, GIMP is very mouse/right-click oriented -- if you don't have it already, get yourself a two button mouse + wheel for your apple.

GIMP is very quick and efficient in doing stuff specifically for the web (beyond photo editing). If you intend to print at the snooty-high-quality type levels, PS will be better. In other words, I find GIMP to be an effective tool for everyday, low-pixel count work, whereas PS for the high resolution work.

Hope that helps 🙂
Jano

 

[ch1]

We've hijacked this thread a bit because the initial query was about photo management not processing but what the heck!

I'd also just point out that GIMP (or other similar "basic" photo processing software) may be as much, or even more, that many here desire.

Photoshop is a professional image processing system and while it has some amazing tools (and keeps adding more and more) many go far beyond what many of us here desire.

One of my older computers (uses Windows Me) has a "freebie" version of PS known as PhotoshopLe (for LITE). This piece of software is about seven years old and will do almost everything I want to do for image processing.

That's mainly because I am a bit of a purist (I don't want to be "creative" with my images) and because many functions are there but are more cumbersome to use than they are in later versions.

I suspect that GIMP may well meet most (if not all) of Melanie's needs. So, if I were her, I'd download GIMP and also grab the 30-day freebie version of CS2 and see if the latter has things I want that the former cannot provide.

EDIT: One caveat. That PS lite will not read RAW files and has other file management limitations - this may (or may not) be a problem with GIMP and other Free/Shareware.

 

[jano]

We've hijacked this thread a bit because the initial query was about photo management not processing but what the heck!

Management? No, ChrisPlatt asked about free editing programs. 😛 We're going into detail of GIMP vs PS, which is a small tangent but not hijack.

 

[unohuu]

Chris, I was the beneficiary of a generous offer. Photoshop Elements 2, for free. I have since upgraded to PSE 4 and would gladly mail this program on to you or another user. No money involved. Simply send me an address off line and we can go on to the next step. 1st come; first serve if I have not heard from Chris by the end of the week.

Luke

 

[DougK]

Technically, iPhoto isn't free because you have to buy a Mac to get it, but it's a good, if basic, tool. I sometimes use it with digital shots or when I'm just don't feel like using PS Elements (it does the job well but every time I use it I keep thinking there HAS to be something better). I've tried The Gimp but didn't really care for it all that much; it's still impressive software nonetheless. Picasa is fun and easy to use for basic editing (I have a copy on my work PC).

I'd be interested in hearing what people think of Pixel (mentioned earlier in this thread). I've looked at the site and it seems impressive but I haven't ever gotten around to downloading it.

 

[bmattock]

The GIMP is a lovely free program, and UFRaw, which is also free, will convert RAW files from many formats. As long as no one finds that offensive.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks