Gimp

Image Manipulation – From the Simplest to the Most Complex Using GIMP

GIMP

GIMP is a computer acronym, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a free, open-source raster graphics editor. Users are able to edit different image formats by retouching the image, free-form drawing. There are specialized plugins that expand the number of capabilities even more. Many expert graphics professionals compare it as a viable alternative to other types of photo and image alteration software.

History

Two students from the University of Cal-Berkeley, Spencer Kimball and Peter Mattis, developed the GIMP project during a semester in 1995. A year later, GIMP 0.54 became available to the public. It was released under its original acronym GIMP, standing for the General Image Manipulation Program.

During a visit to campus by Richard Stallman the following year, the creator of the free software, GNU project was asked by the two developers, if they could attach his GNU project name to their project. Stallman approved and the current acronym was established; GNU Image Manipulation Program.

 Key Features

• Since its original release for UNIX systems, such as Linux, it can now be ported to Microsoft Windows and macOS.
• Community-based tutorials for improved artwork and workflow techniques.
• There is a community of volunteer contributors that address problems provide necessary patches. The software is consistently upgrading features to enhance the user experience.
• There are 150 normal different effects and filters available like Drop Shadow, Blur and Motion Blur
• A cloning tool allows users to copy pixels using a brush.
• Users are able to sharpen and blur using a brush stroke.
• Various color palettes and color choices can be made using a convenient eyedropper.
• Simple Interactive Object Extraction allows users to easily extract foreground elements.
• Selection tools consist of a circular and rectangular select tool, free select, plus a fuzzy select option called a magic wand.

 Extensions

• GIMP Animation Package (GAP) is a plugin designed to create and implement animations. Animations can be saved in a variety of formats, such as Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) and Audio Video Interleave (AVI). Users can place layers on top of one another, use a number file to create a frame in the video, or move, rotate and flip images.

Filters can be applied and colors altered. Projects can be saved as a GIF, or encoded as a video file. The GAP extension also allows users to program layer transitions and adjust the rate of frame chance to create highly complex animations.

• GIMP Paint Studio (GPS) is a set of brushes and additional tools, very important for specialized artistry used by graphic designers. It allows users to work faster and save various tools between work sessions.
• Resynthesizer is a group of plugins that can heal selection and transparency problems. Using the Resynthesizer plugin, users can also fix cropping errors, create more texture, including tile textures and remove objects from images.

Summary

There are frequent reviews of the software for use within the professional community and it is frequently advocated as a capable alternative for Adobe Photoshop software. Although very similar, GIMP has a different and in some respects, more user-friendly interface.