Best alternative to Photoshop?

Discussion in Software PC & Mac started by Methrend • Aug 29, 2012.

  1. Methrend

    MethrendNew Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2012
    Threads:
    5
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hey everyone,

    just looking for opinions and your thoughts on what the best alternative to Adobe Photoshop is. I tend to use Paint.NET, but probably only because I'm so used to it now. I've heard GIMP is good too?

    What do you like to use instead of the overpriced Adobe software?
     
  2. Zaturo

    ZaturoMember

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2012
    Threads:
    3
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    1
    I'm sure there are a few well known tools out there. My sister uses Paint Tool Sai for her professional art work.
    The problem is that Photoshop tends to be very CPU oriented, so a bad processor can't handle it sometimes.
    Yes, Gimp is another alternative that I have tried before. It's similar to an older version of Adobe Photoshop. Not sure if it is worth it, however.
     
    #2Aug 30, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2012
  3. dissn_it

    dissn_itActive Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2012
    Threads:
    29
    Messages:
    985
    Likes Received:
    8
    I have had GIMP for years. You can get it for free and the new version has a more user friendly interface. When downloading and installing it be sure to read everything. I found myself unchecking a lot of extra stuff that I didn't want. It is a great program though and I am sure the newer version would be much easier to learn as I have heard it is very similar to Adobe.
     
  4. Bloomatic

    BloomaticActive Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2012
    Threads:
    5
    Messages:
    321
    Likes Received:
    2
    If what you want is an alternative to Photoshop, you should sharpen the search. This program offers a lot of features and functionality, because it is an advanced graphic design and photo retouching. There are other programs with similar characteristics, but aren't as popular. I don't know what is the utility you want to give to the software, but there are alternatives in the market much simpler and have good benefits. GIMP is a good software and has many interesting features. It´s free, which means a great advantage. It's a program that oesn't consume many resources from your computer and have a more than worthy performance. :D
     
  5. SpYkz

    SpYkzMember

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2012
    Threads:
    5
    Messages:
    52
    Likes Received:
    0
    It depends what you use Photoshop for. I use Microsoft paint for any photo editing work that I need to do. The layout and interface is simple and easy to use and it comes free with Windows. For designing pamphlets and leaflets i like to use Coreldraw, a really handy and useful program that has all the features and options I need.
     
  6. classicnyer

    classicnyerActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2012
    Threads:
    19
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    2
    Adobe Imageready has a lot of the same features as photoshop, but is free, I think. Also, you could use an online service, as people like me who don't own a computer are forced to. I use pixlr.com. It's very similar to photoshop, except that you don't download it on to your computer.
     
  7. Victor Leigh

    Victor LeighActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    Threads:
    4
    Messages:
    446
    Likes Received:
    14
    I use GIMP. It's good enough for whatever I want to do with graphics. I also use Xara Xtreme. It's very similar to CorelDraw. Used to be it was a Windows program. Now it's ported to Linux and it's free.
     
  8. nick87

    nick87Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2012
    Threads:
    5
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    0
    Gimp and paint.net are pretty much equal imo.
    Also check out Krita, chocoflop, and cinepaint. All of those are free and open source.
     
  9. nash22

    nash22Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2012
    Threads:
    1
    Messages:
    393
    Likes Received:
    3
    Gimp is pretty good. I have tried them before and I liked them.
     
  10. Jessi

    Jessi<a href="http://www.quirkycookery.com">QuirkyCooke

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2012
    Threads:
    126
    Messages:
    2,256
    Likes Received:
    78
    I use Photoshop personally. Even if you don't want to pay full price, there are discounted versions and free versions even. They don't have all the features, but it's still better than nothing.

    And as for an alternative, Gimp is good. It has most of the same functionality as Photoshop, but without the pricetag.
     
  11. etc

    etcActive Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2012
    Threads:
    11
    Messages:
    338
    Likes Received:
    3
    If you aren't good at photoshop yet can't afford to buy a copy. You might want to try Gimpshop. Its a combination of the two to which you won't be confuse to the interface of the software.

    I actually learned this when I started reading about it.
     
  12. Jatelo2

    Jatelo2Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Threads:
    45
    Messages:
    245
    Likes Received:
    3
    Can this GIMP do Cutout Lab work like that I usually do with Corel Draw? I mainly do a lot of Photo editing and know very little on how to use Photoshop, though I hear it is one of the best photo editors. So I mostly use Corel's Photo Paint, which does a lot of good jobs for me. Just advise me on this GIMP please!
     
  13. steph84

    steph84Active Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2012
    Threads:
    65
    Messages:
    986
    Likes Received:
    116
    My ex runs a meme page on Facebook and he says he likes using Photo Scape a lot. He likes it more than GIMP because it is simple. I don't know if you're an advanced Photoshop user or just someone who wants a simple tool. Just thought I would throw that out there. You can get it on CNET for free!
     
  14. jooomes

    jooomesNew Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2012
    Threads:
    4
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    The best alternative to photoshop is GIMP. Personally, I love photoshop and with some training it is the best editing program out there. If you do insist on going with another program, GIMP is the way to go.
     
  15. soulglazed

    soulglazedMember

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2012
    Threads:
    2
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0
    Definitely GIMP, as much as I love PS I'd say that GIMP is a great alternative. No need to try anything besides the two of them!
     
  16. tommymac

    tommymacActive Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2012
    Threads:
    15
    Messages:
    233
    Likes Received:
    0
    It's worth noting that Gimp really sucks for re-editing Text layers.
     
  17. BrianDouglas

    BrianDouglasNew Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2012
    Threads:
    3
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    It does suck for re-editing text, but the text tool is full-featured and fast to use otherwise. Gimp doesn't slow down really bad, and is worth using. If you are on windows, it is good to compliment it with paint.net, as paint.net can really speed up your workflow, you'll see what I mean when you get it. You can use them both, flipped back and forth, and get work done in each that the other would be slow with.
     
  18. thenextGeek

    thenextGeekActive Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2012
    Threads:
    1
    Messages:
    529
    Likes Received:
    44
    Well, I used Picasa before and it can handle basic editing stuff but if you are thinking of selling your services online or maybe you want to have a pretty sick logo then Photoshop is definitely the way to go. I'm learning Photoshop right now because I've finally decided that if I want to create better logos and designs, then I should try and learn to use the best photo editing software there is.
     
  19. tosaytheleast

    tosaytheleastActive Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2012
    Threads:
    20
    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    4
    Corel Draw is agreat alternative for Photoshop. Almost does the same however it is not for free. If you are looking for a free alternative then you should go with GIMP! This is the best free software for picture editing that is closest to Photoshop.
     
  20. ohiotom76

    ohiotom76Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Threads:
    154
    Messages:
    2,561
    Likes Received:
    233
    There is really nothing on the market that compares to Photoshop, but depending on what you are doing you may not need all of the features it has to offer. However, for anyone who is serious into photography, the camera raw tools in it alone are worth it, especially in Photoshop CS6. If you check out some of the tutorials for it on Youtube and on tv.adobe.com you can see what I mean.