GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free software raster graphics editor. It is primarily employed as an image retouching and editing tool and is freely available in versions tailored for most popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.

Any self-respecting Linux user or on that note, any self-respecting graphics designer should know about this program. It is *the* open source graphics and image editing suite and has been developing into a worthy contender for years. In fact, it could be said that it has been developing alongside commercial rivals such as Photoshop.

Some of the tools you can use in GIMP are the paintbrush, pencil, airbrush, clone, gradient, paint bucket and blending tools. If Photoshop has it, you can be GIMP has it or at least has some kind of replacement in the development tree. Like Adobe, GIMP for Windows also includes support for layers and plugins. In fact, you can install up to 100 different plugins in GIMP for Windows.

The interface of GIMP seems very familiar. It is inviting and indeed easy to get around in if you know what you're doing when it comes to image manipulation and editing. Also a bonus is the huge online following of GIMP; there are thousands of GIMP tutorials online and it doesn't matter whether you're using the Windows or Linux versions as the basic layout and tools are identical.

Please note that installing GIMP requires you have the GTK Runtime Enviroment. Although it isn't the easiest program to install, it is still highly recommended regardless of whether you have Photoshop installed or not.

From GIMP Project:

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free software raster graphics editor. It is primarily employed as an image retouching and editing tool and is freely available in versions tailored for most popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.

GIMP 2.8.4 is licensed as Freeware for the Windows operating system / platform without restrictions. GIMP is available to all software users as a free download (Freeware).

GIMP Virus and Malware Tests:

For security reasons, you should also check out the GIMP virus and malware test that has been uploaded; additional GIMP screenshots may be available, too.