GIMP or Photoshop

[bishopsgarthstockton]

Hi,

trying to make a decision. We are updating the art department and im trying to decide if its worth spending almost £2k on photoshop or download GIMP. i know there is not much teaching resources for GIMP as the is for Photoshop.

Have you guys got any sugestions :?:

[Midget]

We use both. 1/2 with PS all with GIMP and Paint.NET

[webman]

I recommend Paint.NET, but it needs the .NET Framework 2.

We have evaludated GIMP, and while I used it personally all the time, we aren't going to roll it out because the GTK open/save dialog allows restricted users to view all the network and local drives (relative permissions are set on them all, but we'd prefer they didn't see them at all or be able to see their contents).

[CyberNerd]

There are plenty of teaching resources for GIMP - just not the normal stuff (books) that teachers will be looking for. Google will find it, many of the tutorials are also published under a free license - so you can reproduce them (on your intranet) without cost.
Chances are GIMP will meet the needs of the curriculum, but expect resistance from teachers (it's free, therefore crap, and has a stupid name were the most compelling argument against GIMP that teachers at this school could come up with). Students I spoke to preferred GIMP over photoshop, they percieved it as easier to use. If it does the job use the GIMP, added advantage is that the school can give copies to students to use at home, thus encouraging learning.

I always had the impression that paint.net was more of a drawing package like inkscape than a photoeditor ?

[bishopsgarthstockton]

Hi,

yep i have got Paint.NET on all the machines across the school. Think i will just spend the cash on PS and then they have the choice.

Cheers

[SimpleSi]

Although PS and GIMP are fairly equally hostile to new users (GIMP with "strange" file dialogs and multiple windows - yes I know both can be sort of cured using plugins and modified versions) and PS (just &^%^& awkward to do simple stuff) I think users will always want go with the one that looks most "Windows" like - e.g. PS.

I'd personally load GIMP and Paint.net and explain how you can save money but YMMV

regards

Simon

[john]

How about getting Paint Shop Pro instead, we have and ours like it now they are used to it and don't moan about not having Photoshop, or if they really want it, try Photoshop Elements.

[alonebfg]

we use paint.net (free i belive) and also looking at gimp but everyone likes paint.net also paint.net has some cool plugins

[eean]

I'd say Paint.net would not have enough functionality for higher level Art, infact I find it quite limited in places; although, it's great for us (a primary school).
Photoshop can be hard but it is a professional level industry standard product. I know we are all supposed to be teaching transferable skills but, ultimately, what you first spend time on is what you get used to. I learn't how to use Corel Photopaint about 10 years ago and I've never liked anything since. "Experience with Photoshop" is a good thing for a 16 year old to have on their CV. "Experience with GIMP" probably isn't.

[CyberNerd]

"Experience with Photoshop" is a good thing for a 16 year old to have on their CV. "Experience with GIMP" probably isn't.

"Experience with a range of modern photo editing applications" is just fine though

[alonebfg]

lol well i am out of the picture as i use fireworks for all my picture art stuff never used nothing else as i got it with studio8 cheap as well £99 on acadmic licenceas i work in a school (at the time i was on a education course)

[mattx]

Whats wrong with MS Paint ?
Just kidding - Photoshop for me I'm afraid - I have somewhere some excellent CBTs for photoshop.
Nothing wrong with the GIMP though. For something thats free I find it amazing.

[tosca925]

I prefer Photoshop, purely from doing training at Manchester Uni years ago i have always stuck with it. I know it can be quite complex to get into but once you do thee is no going back.

We have Fireworks and Elements here on all machines and I doubt if they get used outside of Art Dept at all.

[Geoff]

Also consider Gimpshop. Basically the GIMP engine with the interface redone to be friendly and easy to use for Photoshop exiles.

http://www.gimpshop.net/

[EvLPhenom]

I am more of a Paintshop Pro type of person tbh, but i have used Photoshop but as SimpleSI said it is a pain the a*#e to do simple things, but never really had the patience to sit down and work out how ti use it properly.