Free or almost free image software?

[SolaresLarrave]

I placed an order for my new desktop computer, which will be connected to my printer and scanner. I was about to buy a copy of Photoshop Elements 5.0 when I found out that the 6.0 version will be out in March 24.

My machine may come in a couple of weeks, and not until 3/24 will I be able to photoshop stuff. I want to scan some slides with the new computer but neither the computer nor the scanner come with image software (that I remember). Is there some type of free image software that you use and may work to tie me over until the Photoshop Elements 6.0 comes out?

I goggled the words "free imaging software" and got a number of hits... but have you used any? Do you recommend something? I've heard about Picasa, but I don't know if it's an imaging software or an organizing one.

BTW, I ordered an iMac.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BillP]

This is about as good as it gets, for nothing:

http://www.gimpshop.com/

Regards,

Bill

 

[d30gaijin]

Unless I am missing something in your post, Photoshop Elements 6.0 has been out for some time. My wife bought me Elements 6.0 for Christmas and I have been using it since. She bought it at Costco for $80 for the full install.

My previous version was Elements 3.0 and 6.0 is a significant improvement over 3.0.

Another good freeware is FastStone Image Viewer. they do ask for a donation if you like it but it is not required.

http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

You can also download the free 30 day trial version of PS Elements 6.0 from the Adobe web site. That gives you a chance to try before you decide to buy.

Don

 

[infrequent]

Picasa doesn't work on the mac yet. There are rumours of a version towards the end of the year.

Once your mac arrives, I would just head over the apple site and download the month trial of aperture and play with it. Then buy elements 6 when it comes out.

Lightroom prolly has a trial that you can use. Enjoy the mac and welcome to the dark side! ; )

 

[colyn]

PhotoShop Elements 6.0 is the current version for Windows. The Mac version is 4.0..

 

[Bryce]

Sadly Gimpshop will not work on a Mac that is running Leopard. Sad thing, I think, and the creator of Gimpshop says a fix is unlikely or at least a long way off.

 

[Pablito]

Francisco,
You probably know that as a professor you are entitled to a huge discount on software. If I were you, I'd just bite the bullet and buy the full Photoshop, forget about Elements. IMO.
Pablito

 

[bmattock]

Gimpshop may not be available for Mac, but I think GIMP is - that's the original. It does not have 'Photoshop-like' menus and some people hate it. I happen to love it, but YMMV. I run Linux, so my choices are GIMP and uh, GIMP.

http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/

 

[rbiemer]

Francisco,
I am also a happy GIMP and Faststone user but I am using a windows XP machine so I don't know about MAC programs.
However, I will suggest that you look at this site:
http://www.photo-freeware.net/
One stop "shopping", maybe?
Rob

 

[mwooten]

Francisco,
You do know that your new imac will have iphoto installed. Using a stand alone app for your scanner, and then doing post-processing in iphoto 08 may tide you over until PSE6 ships.

Michael

 

[infrequent]

PhotoShop Elements 6.0 is the current version for Windows. The Mac version is 4.0..

current version for mac is 4.0 but 6.0 is dropping march 24.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelmac/

 

[LeicaM3]

I run Linux, so my choices are GIMP and uh, GIMP.

http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/

Don't like Lightzone?
Or Bibble?

Many more than just Gimp.

 

[dmr]

I would second the suggestion to look into The Gimp. (The correct term for this product is "The Gimp", kind of like "The Bronx", I guess.) 🙂

We have The Gimp running on one of our larger workstations at work which uses X Windows and not Microsoft Windows, and I would go as far as to call it a close second to Photoshop.

Coincidentally, a few years ago at a conference I attended, I found myself seated at the same dinner table as one of the developers of The Gimp. It was quite an interesting conversation.

 

[infrequent]

run Linux, so my choices are GIMP and uh, GIMP.

http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/

no photoshop over wine love for you? i have heard people able to pull it off but never done it personally.

 

[FPjohn]

Hello:

Lemke software Graphic Converter will be a good stand in, just $40 and a continuously updated bargain - you may never want to move to Elements or PS.

Yours
Frank

http://www.lemkesoft.com/

 

[colyn]

Don't like Lightzone?
Or Bibble?

Many more than just Gimp.

Neither are free..

 

[mwooten]

Fred, I believe you're wrong about the upgrade. I started out with an education version of CS1 and upgraded to CS2. After I read your post, I began to wonder if Adobe had changed things. Found this thread on the Adobe forum (LINK). It seems that you can update from three versions previous to the current.

 

[mrb]

there is a Gimp port to OSX:

http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/

I use The Gimp on linux and am quite happy with it.

 

[moonwire]

I'm currently using Elements 2.0 for Mac and it does the trick for 99% of my images. If I do need things like curves, I use the Gimp. I'd only shell out the $$$ for the full Photoshop version if I absolutely really needed it, or if it was necessary for my job. I'd rather use my money to buy film 😉

 

[mwooten]

I saw that. It refers to only to the Macromedia apps, pre-Adobe. Look at this link.
The fellow responding to the question is (or claims to be) an Adobe employee. The info I found is concerned with the Creative Suite.