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09-06-2012, 03:08 AM
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#1
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Finland
Posts: 776
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A good free graphics editor for PC? (NO GIMP!)
Could you guys recommend a good, free and simple raster graphics editor with alpha support for theming? I tried GIMP, but I think I've never used a software so awkward and frustrating before (Pencil tool doesn't let me draw anything, fill makes gradients even with the options turned off, doesn't let me move layers etc.. what the ****).
Currently I'm using Inkscape for making the theme elements and it is great, but I need a raster editor for fine-tuning.
On mac I used to use Seashore, which was nice and simple with all the necessary features and no bloat. Is there a good alternative in the PC world?
Last edited by Seventh; 09-06-2012 at 03:19 AM.
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09-06-2012, 03:26 AM
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#2
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Down Under
Posts: 396
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09-06-2012, 03:44 AM
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#3
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Finland
Posts: 776
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Seems to work pretty nicely, thanks!
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09-06-2012, 07:55 AM
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#4
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 221
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh
I tried GIMP, but I think I've never used a software so awkward and frustrating before (Pencil tool doesn't let me draw anything, fill makes gradients even with the options turned off, doesn't let me move layers etc.. what the ****).
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???
I use Gimp for some years now and I've never had problems like that.
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09-06-2012, 07:58 AM
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#5
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Canary Islands (Tenerife)
Posts: 1,616
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gimp the best
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09-06-2012, 08:02 AM
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#6
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Croatia
Posts: 24,790
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Quote:
Originally Posted by never_mind
???
I use Gimp for some years now and I've never had problems like that.
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I'm also reading above post and thinking WTF it can't be that bad. Perhaps older version? The latest version seems to have a lot more unified interface and generally seems easier to use.
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09-06-2012, 10:07 AM
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#7
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Berlin
Posts: 11,817
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2.8.2 may be good now, but 2.8.0 was pretty buggy and slow.
Easy to test with the Portableapps.com version too. I do use Gimp from time to time. Paint.net looks interesting.
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09-06-2012, 10:12 AM
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#8
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Asheville NC
Posts: 1,335
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GIMP can be a little buggy but it sounds like you didn't take the time to learn to use it. That's not "bloat".
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09-06-2012, 10:16 AM
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#9
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Right Hear
Posts: 15,618
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hey 7th... what computer are you on? what OS? ...and where are you located?
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09-06-2012, 01:21 PM
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#10
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 221
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EvilDragon
I'm also reading above post and thinking WTF it can't be that bad. Perhaps older version? The latest version seems to have a lot more unified interface and generally seems easier to use.
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Maybe he tried to use the Windows version which seems to be a bit behind the Linux release. As far as I know the Gimp team is desperately looking for Windows developers.
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09-06-2012, 02:25 PM
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#11
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Asheville NC
Posts: 1,335
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I've used multiple Windows versions and never got
Quote:
Pencil tool doesn't let me draw anything, fill makes gradients even with the options turned off, doesn't let me move layers
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Maybe OP got a bad download or something...
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09-07-2012, 04:50 AM
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#12
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Eesti
Posts: 2,716
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Yeah Gimp 2.6 windows version works fine here.
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09-07-2012, 04:58 AM
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#13
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,860
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gimp is fine here too, none of those problems. Maybe you just need to spend some more time learning it.
Last edited by run, megalodon; 09-07-2012 at 05:25 AM.
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09-07-2012, 05:23 AM
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#14
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Minneaplis
Posts: 3,317
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09-07-2012, 07:12 AM
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#15
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,331
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If you are used to photoshop, try: http://gimpshop.com/
also, artweaver is the closest thing to PS that I've found, but only for really basic stuff.
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09-07-2012, 08:51 AM
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#16
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Minneaplis
Posts: 3,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomm
If you are used to photoshop, try: http://gimpshop.com/
also, artweaver is the closest thing to PS that I've found, but only for really basic stuff.
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gimpshop isn't updating much and the latest gimp does a lot of what gimpshop was attemptiny (just fyi).
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09-07-2012, 09:07 AM
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#17
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Unwired (probably in the proximity of Amsterdam)
Posts: 4,868
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Free but discontinued: ChocoFlop (awesome name, no?).
Not free but definitely worth mentioning: Pixelmator.
__________________
˙lɐd 'ʎɐʍ ƃuoɹʍ ǝɥʇ ǝɔıʌǝp ʇɐɥʇ ƃuıploɥ ǝɹ,noʎ
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09-07-2012, 09:40 AM
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#18
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Finland
Posts: 776
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Wow... maybe I overdid the GIMP hate thing a bit?
Anyway, thanks for the recommendations. I ended up using Paint.NET and liking it so far for the simple tasks of retouching the UI elements produced by Inkscape, adding pink lines etc.
By the way, is there a list somewhere for all the png names for UI elements? I'm getting tired of reverse-engineering other themes every time I want to put a new element in there.
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09-07-2012, 09:47 AM
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#19
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-blänk-
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 11,359
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh
By the way, is there a list somewhere for all the png names for UI elements? I'm getting tired of reverse-engineering other themes every time I want to put a new element in there.
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http://www.reaper.fm/sdk/walter/images.php
Always up-to-date but not so nice to parse is the list in Preferences -> Theme Editor -> "Theme element finder".
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09-07-2012, 09:50 AM
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#20
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Finland
Posts: 776
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Thanks! Somehow managed to miss that.
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09-07-2012, 11:58 PM
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#21
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Minneaplis
Posts: 3,317
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also:
if you ever try gimp.
go to 'Windows > single window mode'
go to view and and uncheck "view layer boundries"
and cntrl+L opens the layers tab.
and your general preferences menu is under "edit"
presing 'tab' shows and hides all the things.
The only thing I find difficult to accept is the lack of a dedicated shape tool. Just being able to punch in the number of sides and BAM! perfect shape is so nice is PS. Gimp does it kind of old school (unless I'm mistaken), you have to make a layer, use the selection tool, and then fill the selection with the paint bucket. Also layer style/blending options that photoshop has are severely missed.
Last edited by pixeltarian; 09-08-2012 at 12:03 AM.
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09-08-2012, 04:54 AM
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#22
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Finland
Posts: 776
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There is actually a single window mode? I always hated how the tool windows were all over the place and always had to resize the picture window.
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09-08-2012, 06:16 AM
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#23
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Terra incognita
Posts: 7,670
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Same here, that's why I always used Gimpshop up till the version 2.8 where the single window mode is finally native. At any rate, coming from years of PSP use, I found Paint.net far more comfortable to use than Gimp.
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09-08-2012, 07:02 PM
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#24
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Minneaplis
Posts: 3,317
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to be honest...
I like photoshop so much I would probably just try to find a student to buy PS CS5 for me for $150
I also LOVE older versions of paint shop pro. I think v8 was best (whatever version was out before they were bought out by corel).
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09-09-2012, 01:25 AM
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#25
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: decepticon mothership in a hidden place inside a mountain
Posts: 3,754
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I also don't like Gimp that much... a bit buggy, it takes forever to start, etc.
THere is a free software called PixBuilder which i happen to like :
http://www.wnsoft.com/fr/pixbuilder/
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09-09-2012, 01:31 AM
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#26
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Fort Worth TX
Posts: 1,757
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh
Wow... maybe I overdid the GIMP hate thing a bit?
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nope, i'm not a fan either - but i'm spoiled from always working with photoshop (since before it had layers!).
though i will admit gimp is a big step up from mspaint
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01-29-2013, 03:56 PM
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#29
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Dayton, Ohio USA
Posts: 1,714
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So has a slightly old but still perfectly functional version of Photoshop:
read about it here, if you like:
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=116147
Edit: I just read the disclaimer at the link I had posted, which states the software should only be used by people who legitimately purchased it in the first place, but need to download/install again for whatever reason. I removed the link, and to be clear I am not advocating using unauthorized software. That disclaimer was not always there, I am sure of it.
Last edited by KevinW; 02-01-2013 at 05:26 PM.
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01-30-2013, 08:29 AM
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#30
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pixeltarian
gimpshop isn't updating much and the latest gimp does a lot of what gimpshop was attemptiny (just fyi).
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It has been updated to 2.8 recently. But, you are right there is no difference between this and the actual GIMP. Plus there is no portable version for Gimpshop so better to stick to GIMP.
Those who are used to layer effects in Photoshop, look for the plugins with the same name in GIMP plugin database. That makes it very easy to follow the Photoshop tutorials available on the web.
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01-30-2013, 08:36 AM
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#31
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,347
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Another vote for Paint.net here. I use it more and more.
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02-04-2013, 10:01 AM
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#32
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: France
Posts: 3,698
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+1 for Paint.net.
Tried Inkscape, the Gimp. Those softs are surely good and full of many features, but not user friendly (I tried to learn how to use them, but gave up).
As my only use of drawing softwares is to add icons to Reaper, I only want something basic and Paint.net is the best I found for my needs.
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02-04-2013, 11:57 PM
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#33
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 30
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The Linux program Krita looks good. It does support Windows, but I have not had time to try it yet.
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02-06-2013, 05:41 AM
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#34
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Preston
Posts: 232
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Artweaver works best for me. It's really similar to Photoshop but simpler. I've been struggling with Gimp for months, I just find it really frustrating and counter-intuitive.
Didn't try Paint.net as every download link I could find for it included some kind of dodgy seach engine/toolbar software, which you have no choice but to install.
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02-06-2013, 06:04 AM
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#35
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 105
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Another vote for Paint.NET. I use it all the time for simple photo and graphics stuff on my blog. Only time you're in trouble is when you need to open PSDs or EPSs.
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02-06-2013, 09:24 AM
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#36
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Terra incognita
Posts: 7,670
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Quote:
Originally Posted by osiris
Only time you're in trouble is when you need to open PSDs or EPSs.
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There is a Paint.NET PSD Plugin. I have only tested it with simple PSD pics with couple of layers, but it seemed to work with those.
For the vector graphics you'd have to use a converter though.
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02-06-2013, 12:02 PM
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#37
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: madrid/spain
Posts: 1,036
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after anifx, inkscape and gimp uses I´m also vote for PAINT.NET
simple, powerful, plug ins, and very light...all in one for non "special" requeriments...
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02-06-2013, 12:47 PM
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#38
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: decepticon mothership in a hidden place inside a mountain
Posts: 3,754
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PixlR is an online application which can get handy.
ZonerPhotoStudio is good too.
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02-10-2013, 05:59 AM
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#39
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: the woods, Arkansas
Posts: 1,063
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Gimp works best ( fastest, less bugs) in its native environment. Linux gimp builds are so fast I can work perfectly on a p3 machine from the late 90s. IMHO photoshop is the buggy conveluted one. Plus I hate the way adobe does things. It's bloat ware at its worst, just like dreamweaver. Give me gimp any day. 2.8.2 with single window mode. Plus import and save as psd so you can send them to a photoshop person. Love it!
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