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Old 09-06-2012, 03:08 AM   #1
Seventh
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Default 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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Old 09-06-2012, 03:26 AM   #2
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Paint.net
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Old 09-06-2012, 03:44 AM   #3
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Seems to work pretty nicely, thanks!
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Old 09-06-2012, 07:55 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh View Post
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 ****).
???
I use Gimp for some years now and I've never had problems like that.
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Old 09-06-2012, 07:58 AM   #5
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gimp the best
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Old 09-06-2012, 08:02 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by never_mind View Post
???
I use Gimp for some years now and I've never had problems like that.
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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Old 09-06-2012, 10:07 AM   #7
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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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Old 09-06-2012, 10:12 AM   #8
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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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Old 09-06-2012, 10:16 AM   #9
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hey 7th... what computer are you on? what OS? ...and where are you located?
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Old 09-06-2012, 01:21 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EvilDragon View Post
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.
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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Old 09-06-2012, 02:25 PM   #11
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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
Maybe OP got a bad download or something...
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Old 09-07-2012, 04:50 AM   #12
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Yeah Gimp 2.6 windows version works fine here.
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Old 09-07-2012, 04:58 AM   #13
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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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Old 09-07-2012, 05:23 AM   #14
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http://pixlr.com/editor/

also:
http://alternativeto.net/software/adobe-photoshop/
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Old 09-07-2012, 07:12 AM   #15
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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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Old 09-07-2012, 08:51 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomm View Post
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.
gimpshop isn't updating much and the latest gimp does a lot of what gimpshop was attemptiny (just fyi).
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Old 09-07-2012, 09:07 AM   #17
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Free but discontinued: ChocoFlop (awesome name, no?).

Not free but definitely worth mentioning: Pixelmator.
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Old 09-07-2012, 09:40 AM   #18
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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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Old 09-07-2012, 09:47 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh View Post
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.
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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Old 09-07-2012, 09:50 AM   #20
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Thanks! Somehow managed to miss that.
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Old 09-07-2012, 11:58 PM   #21
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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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Old 09-08-2012, 04:54 AM   #22
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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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Old 09-08-2012, 06:16 AM   #23
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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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Old 09-08-2012, 07:02 PM   #24
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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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Old 09-09-2012, 01:25 AM   #25
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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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Old 09-09-2012, 01:31 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh View Post
Wow... maybe I overdid the GIMP hate thing a bit?
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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Old 09-17-2012, 11:37 PM   #27
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did anyone mention this yet?
seems like it could be pretty nice:
http://www.artweaver.de/index.php?en_version


oh and if you end up using paint.net I recommend getting moset of the plugins that are sticky-ed on this forum: http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php...blishing-only/

Last edited by pixeltarian; 09-18-2012 at 12:05 AM.
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Old 01-29-2013, 03:25 PM   #28
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This one has gone free. Tried it briefly and seems to be really nice with lots of features.

http://www.photopos.com/Photo-Pos-Pr...oto-Editor.asp
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Old 01-29-2013, 03:56 PM   #29
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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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Old 01-30-2013, 08:29 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pixeltarian View Post
gimpshop isn't updating much and the latest gimp does a lot of what gimpshop was attemptiny (just fyi).
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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Old 01-30-2013, 08:36 AM   #31
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Another vote for Paint.net here. I use it more and more.
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Old 02-04-2013, 10:01 AM   #32
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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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Old 02-04-2013, 11:57 PM   #33
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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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Old 02-06-2013, 05:41 AM   #34
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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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Old 02-06-2013, 06:04 AM   #35
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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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Old 02-06-2013, 09:24 AM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by osiris View Post
Only time you're in trouble is when you need to open PSDs or EPSs.
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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Old 02-06-2013, 12:02 PM   #37
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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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Old 02-06-2013, 12:47 PM   #38
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PixlR is an online application which can get handy.
ZonerPhotoStudio is good too.
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Old 02-10-2013, 05:59 AM   #39
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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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