The Gimp - Free Your Images

One of the main aspects of my work is to create titles and manipulate graphics for video. Of course I could spend the money on Photoshop but I am cheap and as well it doesn't run in Linux. Thats why I use The Gimp, an open-source, free image manipulation program. The Gimp of course stands for Gnu Image Manipulation Program.

When you start up the gimp you are greeted with three windows usually. These are the main Tool bar and Tool property window. As well you will see a Layers window and a Channels window. An image of the main Tool bar window is below.

To create a new document you would select the File menu and choose New. You will then be greeted with the following. Choose the size and resolution you want and proceed.

You will now have a nice new canvas to work with. As well you could obviously open a pre-existing image to manipulate. As with the proprietary counterpart there are the usual options for selecting filters and scripts.

As a quicker way to select a filter, you can also right-click anywhere on the image and select any options from the pop-up menu.

With a little practice you can basically do anything that you can do in Photoshop or any other image manipulation program. It takes some exploring to figure out where everything is that you expect to be there and I have yet to notice anything that isn't.

So for something that is free. There is so much that can be done. Why fork out the cash or worry about copyright issues. Use The Gimp and don't worry. Oh and before I forget. There is also a windows port for those who haven't yet switched.