Getting started with GIMP: The free and open source image editor

Discover the open source design tool that empowers creative professionals with sophisticated editing features.

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is the go-to open source solution for general image editing. Its extensive feature set rivals many commercial programs, making it a favorite among artists, designers, hobbyists and especially creative professionals. GIMP’s flexibility and adaptability are its greatest strengths, allowing users to tackle a wide range of creative tasks.

Free download: Open Source alternatives to Photoshop

“Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides you with sophisticated tools to get your job done.”

GIMP website

GIMP offers a robust suite of tools for photo retouching and restoration. The Clone and Healing tools are potent, enabling users to remove blemishes, scratches, and other imperfections easily. Gimp 3.0 now allows for non-destructive editing.

When it comes to graphic design, GIMP shines with its support for layers and masks, which allow for intricate compositions. The Paths tool is perfect for creating precise selections, vector shapes, and background removal. In contrast, the Text tool offers comprehensive typography options, enabling designers to create eye-catching graphics and layouts.

One of GIMP’s greatest strengths is its extensibility through plugins. These external programs operate seamlessly within GIMP, allowing users to enhance and manipulate images just as they would manually. The key advantage of plugins is that they enable new functionalities without requiring modifications to GIMP’s complex core code.

Get started

• Website: www.gimp.org
• Installation guide: www.gimp.org/downloads
• Documentation: www.gimp.org/docs
• Tutorials: www.gimp.org/tutorials

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