(no subject)

[remindmeofthe]

Can anyone recommend a simple, free graphics program? I'm not looking to perform artistic miracles here, I just want to make my usual crop-and-border-with-optional-text icons, and I just don't want to deal with switching around when the trials run out. I'm still leery of downloading things, but if I get a rec from someone I trust I might be able to suck it up and take a shot.

Comments

[iarwain.livejournal.com]

There is a bit of a learning curve, but there are tutorials (http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/) out there. I wholeheartedly suggest the GIMP:
http://www.gimp.org/

Don't be afraid to play with it. It's the only still graphics editor I use any more.

[remindmeofthe.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thanks. I'll check it out.

[iarwain.livejournal.com]

Definitely let me know what you think. It has made leaps and bounds in terms of usability in the last year or so. I'm really interested in general comments from people new to this program.

If you want it to look more like Photoshop, someone made a program callled "GIMP Shop (http://plasticbugs.com/?page_id=294)" that kind of changes things to look familliar to Photoshop users.

Gimp is a funny thing. People who have used it a lot love it. Most who've never gotten used to it hate it. But my data on that is quite old... from before GIMP 2.0. I figure between the changed made in 2.0 and GIMP Shop, it should be pretty easy to figure out.

But then, I'm biased. So, I am quite interested in comments form a new user so I know if I should preface future recommendations....

[fiareynne.livejournal.com]

http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/ has a free graphics program that I've seen recc'ed on several groups I belong to. I've never tried it myself, though, so I make no promises as to its abilities, but I did download it, install it, and run it (though I was being particularly ADD and didn't actually try it out before changing my mind about it) so I can attest to its not being some kind of trojan horse or anything.