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Comments about Free Alternatives to Photoshop

From the lens Alternatives to Photoshop.

Comments-about-Free-Alternatives-for-Photoshop

Do you think you have discovered through this lens a viable free alternative for Photoshop®? Have you tried any of the suggested programs and want to add your comments about them? Just have questions about anything covered here? All comments are welcome; remember everyone's opinion is unique and important.

  • veryirie May 29, 2012 @ 11:41 pm | delete
    I will earmark this for the future. I'm always looking for alternatives. Thank you! :)
  • mediawizard Apr 20, 2012 @ 2:52 pm | delete
    Really cool guardianstar77
  • CarlArmes Mar 22, 2012 @ 9:29 am | delete
    I find pixlr works well through the internet, I have not used the others but I think I might have a go with the GIMP. Thanks for your content, found you through squidlog
  • guardianstar77 May 10, 2012 @ 7:56 am | delete
    So people find the learning curve for GIMP to be as long and difficult as that for Photoshop. Good luck with your quest.
  • Chainsaw Mar 3, 2012 @ 4:13 am | delete
    It's hard to believe the free IrfanView didn't even get a mention for Windows. Reads a ridiculous number of formats, loads photoshop filters, image editing & photo manipulation, basic bitmap drawing, slideshows, blazingly fast, really reliable, idiot simple to use, the ugliest icon in the world - the only thing it doesn't do is layers. What's not to love?
  • guardianstar77 May 10, 2012 @ 7:55 am | delete
    Hi, Chainsaw. Thanks for your comments. I do have Irfanview as my default viewer for images. However, I don't see many of the options coveted by true designs and those who love to "play" with photo effects. I have never considered it among the viable alternatives to Photoshop. Perhaps I have just not invested the right amount of time in learning all that it is capable of. I will take a closer look when I have the time. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
  • UrbanMac Feb 20, 2012 @ 5:57 pm | delete
    I enjoyed reading your lens, many thanks
  • mihgasper Jan 27, 2012 @ 9:47 am | delete
    I like alternatives, especially open source. I think GIMP is very good and it will be even better in the future. Thanks for the list and some new names to try.
  • guardianstar77 May 10, 2012 @ 7:51 am | delete
    Thank you for you comments, mihgasper. I am pleased that the open source marketplace continues to strive for quality programs that make these extremely expensive software applications not the only choice.
  • LaraineRose Jan 17, 2012 @ 1:04 pm | delete
    You helped me to decide. Thank you.
  • CPDInteractive Dec 15, 2011 @ 1:40 am | delete
    Thanks for Great post. I really like this article.
  • Serj Nov 18, 2011 @ 4:11 am | delete
    Ohh man, there is nothing like Photoshop I used to be one of those that downloaded illegal programs but eventually decided that I wanted to go legit I have been able to find Open Source options that replaced my previous illegal software and have been slowly buying software that I truly miss. Above all I miss Photoshop. I even don't mind missing out on some of the conveniences of MS Office, opting for OpenOffice for now, but Gimp is nothing compared to Photoshop... especially the newest version with content aware! Love this lens, nice job.
  • guardianstar77 May 10, 2012 @ 7:49 am | delete
    Thank you, Serj. I am so glad that you enjoyed my Alternatives to Photoshop lens. I, too, absolutely love Photoshop. Unfortunately, if the next version of Windows doesn't support my old copy of Photoshop, I, too, will be looking toward these alternative programs.
  • Abree Oct 14, 2011 @ 12:51 am | delete
    ~SUPER HELPFUL!! Thanx a bunch!!!~
  • BizGuides Oct 12, 2011 @ 6:52 am | delete
    This is a very well composed lens. First quality.
    I have been looking for a Photoshop alternative
    and now I can make an informed decision.
    Thank you. BG
  • AirT-23 Aug 27, 2011 @ 6:14 pm | delete
    Great Job, very informative lens, thanks for sharing.
  • summersorbet Apr 11, 2011 @ 8:49 am | delete
    This is terrific! Thank you for sharing! Can't wait to get busy with my photos :-D
  • sukkran Mar 25, 2011 @ 11:10 am | delete
    thanks for giving some useful tips and links. ~blessed~
  • guardianstar77 Aug 16, 2011 @ 12:30 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for the blessing!
  • kguru1979 Feb 26, 2011 @ 3:41 am | delete
    I found Gimp is a best alternative to photoshop..!
  • Tipi Feb 24, 2011 @ 3:20 pm | delete
    Interesting information. I may check out Gimp some time. Thanks for sharing
  • DogToys Feb 18, 2011 @ 1:06 pm | delete
    Gimp all the way!
  • guardianstar77 Mar 9, 2011 @ 4:59 am | delete
    A lot of people feel that way, DogToys. They find GIMP to be an excellent alternative to Photoshop!
  • crosscreations Feb 16, 2011 @ 1:10 pm | delete
    Absolutely Beautiful Lens! LOVE these photoshop alternatives and very impressed with your creative talent. Blessed! Best 2 U on Squidoo from a Squid angel in St. Lou! :-)
  • guardianstar77 Mar 9, 2011 @ 4:58 am | delete
    Thank you so much for the blessing my Alternatives to Photoshop lens. It is especially precious to me coming from a "neighbor." :D
  • BlakeCzirr Feb 14, 2011 @ 12:50 pm | delete
    Excellent work, GuadianStar77. Ironic as it may sound, I was actually searching for some image design software to replace my photoshop and illustrator. (I decided to go with Gimp and Inkscape). I have to admit, I'm going to favorite your lens because I want to go through this again as I test functionality. Thanks!
  • guardianstar77 Feb 14, 2011 @ 7:35 pm | delete
    Hi, Blake. I am so glad that you found my Alternatives to Photoshop to be helpful. I hope you will enjoy GIMP very much!
  • mypotlpeople Feb 12, 2011 @ 8:43 am | delete
    I just tried sumo paint. It's got some features that my usual imaging software doesn't have. I absolutely love it:) Thanks for these great alternatives to photoshop.
  • guardianstar77 Feb 14, 2011 @ 7:34 pm | delete
    You are very welcome. I am so glad that you found Sumo paint to be a good resource for you!
  • jennabee25 Feb 10, 2011 @ 12:27 pm | delete
    I cut my teeth on photo editing on The GIMP. I now use Photoshop Elements, but The GIMP is still my go-to program for a lot of editing at times. I love your fractal graphics, too. Have you heard of Aviary? It's an online editing software suite, and I believe it is free.: http://www.aviary.com/
  • guardianstar77 Feb 11, 2011 @ 7:27 am | delete
    Yes, I have heard of Aviary, but had not prior to beginning my research for my series of photo editor "freebies." I did check it out a little bit and was in awe of it. It was just way too complicated for the reviews I was doing at that time. I do have it on my "to do" list to take the time to learn all about it. I am especially intrigued with its ability to do fractals! Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment!
  • puzzlemaker Feb 8, 2011 @ 8:52 am | delete
    I use Gimp, but only a little. I'm a graphic artist from waaaaay back and used QuarkXpress exclusively since 1990. Wow I'm old. Anyway, I could do almost anything with it and LOVED it. I have an old version and I still feel it's way above anything else I've tried. The thing is that it's on my old Mac and we now use IBM at home. My Mac is also on the fritz so that's why I investigated Gimp. Learning something new is time consuming, but I know I've got to get in there and learn my way around.
  • guardianstar77 Feb 11, 2011 @ 7:24 am | delete
    There really are some great alternatives to Photoshop, and those who are competent with GIMP seem to be real diehards in their passion for it. The transition from Mac to PC can be difficult, and I understand your loss. My sister is also a diehard Mac fan. :-)
  • fanfreluche Feb 7, 2011 @ 8:13 am | delete
    I use GIMP and I agree it is sometimes counter intuitive and hard to get used to it. But once you get the hang of it it's ok, they offer lots of possibilities. I may try the other you suggest, see if they are easier to use. I find myself using more and more my GIMP since I work online, so maybe having a second alternative can help.
  • guardianstar77 Feb 11, 2011 @ 6:42 am | delete
    I know a lot of people who prefer Gimp as an alternative to Photoshop. Those who have learned to use it well certainly seem dedicated to it! Thanks for dropping by!
  • lravidlearner Feb 4, 2011 @ 8:21 am | delete
    Let me add my blessings for your terrific analysis of the free alternatives to photoshop. Very valuable info.
  • guardianstar77 Feb 11, 2011 @ 6:40 am | delete
    Thank you so much, Iravidlearner. I am deeply honored for the blessing to my Alternatives to Photoshop lens!
  • catbehaviors Jan 20, 2011 @ 5:03 pm | delete
    I just noticed... this lens DOES have a purple star! Congratulations!
  • guardianstar77 Jan 20, 2011 @ 5:38 pm | delete
    Thank you, catbehaviors. I appreciate your kind comments, and I am SO glad you are enjoying Gimp photo editor! And...I just received the Purple Star a few hours ago. I think I have Nicki (WordCustard) to thank for that. I am so honored and pleased to have won this coveted award.
  • catbehaviors Jan 20, 2011 @ 5:01 pm | delete
    Hello again! I got GIMP a while back (right after reading this lens), and have found that it is absolutely wonderful! It does so much more than Paint.NET, and I use it for all of my photo editing needs. WorldCustard is right, this lens definitely deserves a purple star, as well as lens of the day. Thank you for sharing all of these great (and free) photo editing platforms. :)
  • DecoratingforEvents Jan 20, 2011 @ 4:54 pm | delete
    Awesome lens and talent Bonnie! I play around with Corel Paint Shop Photo Pro and really like it but have a long ways to go to catch up to you!
  • guardianstar77 Jan 20, 2011 @ 5:36 pm | delete
    Thank you, DecoratingforEvents. I am a definite fan of your talent, too! I love your decorating lenses, my friend!
  • guardianstar77 Jan 20, 2011 @ 3:02 pm | delete
    Thank you, thank you, thank you to the angels who have blessed this lens and especially the one who nominated it for a Purple Star. (You know who you are, and I love you.) My little heart is going pitter-patter!
  • WordCustard Jan 20, 2011 @ 9:09 am | delete
    I came by to thank you for your comment and discovered this excellent lens while I was here! I adore GIMP, it is well worth the effort of getting to grips with it and for a free application it can't be faulted. Plus it gets on just fine with Linux, which is important to me! But it's great to know there are other alternatives out there.

    This lens deserves a purple star. ;)
  • guardianstar77 Jan 20, 2011 @ 9:50 am | delete
    Thank you so much, Nicki! One of the things that everyone loves about Gimp is its cross-platform functionality. It certainly makes it a wonderful FREE photo editing application. Thanks for the suggestion about a Purple Star. Maybe the gods of online writing will so bless me. Hugs!
  • WordCustard Jan 21, 2011 @ 12:46 pm | delete
    I'm pleased to see that they did! Congratulations and hugs to you! :)
  • danny79 Jan 16, 2011 @ 8:41 am | delete
    Great Job, amazing design,
    I recommend GIMP, i use it everyday at work
  • guardianstar77 Jan 20, 2011 @ 9:48 am | delete
    I know that the photo editor, Gimp, is very popular and that many people use it exclusively. If I did not already own Photoshop and know it so well, I would certainly invest the time in learning Gimp. Those who use it always speak highly of it. Thanks for stopping by!
  • catbehaviors Dec 5, 2010 @ 10:00 pm | delete
    Wonderful lens! I use Paint.NET, and find that it does many things that I would like, but is also slightly limited. Maybe I will try Gimp, or one of the online photo editors. Thanks for sharing all of these fantastic resources!
    Blessed by a SquidAngel!
  • guardianstar77 Jan 20, 2011 @ 9:46 am | delete
    Oh, my goodness. How did I miss this post?!? I am honored by the blessing. Thank you so-o-o-o-o much!
  • MSchindel Nov 25, 2010 @ 8:49 pm | delete
    This is a terrific resource! I've been playing around with several of these and, so far, my favorite is Pixlr, but it does have its limitations. Thanks so much for the excellent comparison, and for a few new resources I hadn't heard of before.
  • guardianstar77 Jan 20, 2011 @ 9:45 am | delete
    Thank you, MSchindel! I am so glad that you found the article on photo editors to be useful and informative. I do love Pixlr myself, despite its limitations. And, of course, what is lacking in one photo editor can be found easily in others. That's the joy of the whole thing; I find myself skipping between them when doing my artwork. Hugs!
  • mysticmama Nov 19, 2010 @ 6:33 pm | delete
    I've been looking for a free designing platform...I used microsoft picture it for years, but now have windows 7 & it's not compatible...I have photshop6, Gimp, artrage & corel & can't seem to figure out how to use any of them lol...you get so used to your preferred software, maybe one of these will work for me :)
  • guardianstar77 Nov 23, 2010 @ 2:30 pm | delete
    I upgraded computers in January and it came with Windows 7. I had been told that my Photoshop 6 was not compatible with Windows 7, but I installed it anyway and it works just fine. The only problem is the display of icons for the PSD files in Explorer. They can be very goofy. I hope one of these suggested alternatives to Photoshop will be useful for you.
  • Pastiche Nov 19, 2010 @ 12:28 pm | delete
    This is a terrific overview of graphics editing program alternatives to PhotoShop. I do love Illustrator and PhotoShop, but I'm always interested in learning other programs. Adding a link to this lens from PhotoShop Editing Tips in the section on other (free) graphics editing programs. Faved ... I may try GIMP this year!
  • guardianstar77 Nov 23, 2010 @ 2:27 pm | delete
    Pastiche, thank you for taking the time to review my lens. I appreciate the nice comments and am glad you found the Photoshop alternatives to be useful. Let me know if you try Gimp and what you think about it!
  • CastleRoy Nov 1, 2010 @ 4:13 pm | delete
    this is an amazing lens wonderful all the information pros and cons for people to make own choices in this economy paid programs such as photoshop and PSP some free ideas are wonderful and helpful for the artists this is a wonderful lens thank you. I use both psp and photoshop never tried gimp but have heard a lot of good things about it.
  • guardianstar77 Nov 23, 2010 @ 2:22 pm | delete
    Thank you, CastleRoy. I have seen some absolutely beautiful work done by people using Gimp as a Photoshop Alternative.
  • purplelady Oct 30, 2010 @ 5:36 pm | delete
    Wow, what an impressive lens with the answers to so many of the photo touch-up questions I have had. I am adding this to my Favorites and will come back to it often for advice.
  • guardianstar77 Nov 23, 2010 @ 2:20 pm | delete
    Thank you, purplelady. I am so pleased that my Photoshop Alternatives lens was helpful to you!
  • Rewards4life Oct 28, 2010 @ 9:00 am | delete
    When I'm not using Photoshop I'm using Gimp, instead. You did a fantastic job on this lens. Very informative and detailed.
  • guardianstar77 Oct 29, 2010 @ 6:01 am | delete
    Thank you, Rewards4Life for taking the time to review my lens. I appreciate the nice compliments!
  • Jennie Sep 29, 2010 @ 8:02 pm | delete
    This is the best comparison review on free photo editing software I've ever read. It gives you lots of information about the programs, very honestly as well. I tried many of them and agree with what you say so I believe you on what you say about the ones I haven't tried and that makes the info you give about them so much more valuable. (With other reviewers you often get the feeling that they didn't spend more then two minutes with a program, or are just repeating what they read elsewhere.)
  • guardianstar77 Sep 30, 2010 @ 5:34 pm | delete
    Hi, Jennie. I appreciate your words so much more than you know. I do spend hours and hours and hours researching and testing products (when possible) before I offer my opinions about them. This one lens probably took more than 100 hours, but I wanted it to be as thorough and accurate as possible!
  • tagsforkids Sep 23, 2010 @ 9:52 am | delete
    Great info on alternatives. Though I use and love my Photoshop, there are certainly some user friendly options available.
  • Ladymermaid Sep 20, 2010 @ 7:43 am | delete
    Excellent article ... thank you so much for sharing. I have been wanting to find a free program to play around with my photos.
  • skiesgreen Sep 18, 2010 @ 11:28 pm | delete
    What a superb lens on a great subject. Love the way you have put it together. I am a bit of a dummy now with technical stuff but this information will help me a lot. *-*Blessed*-* and featured on Sprinkled with Stardust and also on How To Build A Web Site
  • guardianstar77 Sep 30, 2010 @ 5:32 pm | delete
    Oh, my goodness. I feel so humbled. Thank you so much for the blessing and for featuring my lens!
  • ajgodinho Sep 16, 2010 @ 11:14 pm | delete
    This is an extensive list and review of Photoshop alternatives. You did a great job in putting it all together in a very organized manner. I love the "look & feel" of this lens as well. Excellent work!
  • guardianstar77 Sep 30, 2010 @ 5:31 pm | delete
    Thank you, AJ! That means a lot to me, especially coming from such an accomplished lensmaster!
  • awelldressedbullet Sep 16, 2010 @ 2:29 pm | delete
    What a ton of valuable information Bonnie! And of course a very pretty lens! Not everyone can afford to buy the available software, so some great alternatives for them. I love my Paint Shop Pro, but wish I would practice and become more proficient with it - Kathy
  • guardianstar77 Sep 30, 2010 @ 5:30 pm | delete
    Hi, Kathy. I am so glad you found the lens to be informative, and thank you for the compliment on the presentation. I actually did take way longer than I probably should have to try to make it pretty. :-)
  • Mickie_G Sep 16, 2010 @ 1:41 pm | delete
    So much to learn, so little time. Thank you for the reviews of the online photo-shop type sites.
  • nukemdomis Sep 15, 2010 @ 4:47 pm | delete
    I agree that The Gimp is the best Photoshop alternative. I use it every day.
  • guardianstar77 Sep 30, 2010 @ 5:28 pm | delete
    True fans of Gimp are as committed to Gimp as others are to Photoshop. Thanks for sharing your insight!
  • artyfax Sep 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am | delete
    I have been using Serif Photoplus for some time, a light version is available for download for free. It may not have every bell and whistle but I find it very easy to use and it has lots of features. I have been experimenting with "newer" on-line tools and this lens has given me a lot of info to follow this up.

    This is a great lens and I have no hesitation in linking to it where it will be of value
  • guardianstar77 Sep 30, 2010 @ 5:27 pm | delete
    Thank you for visiting and commenting, artyfax. I am glad you found the lens helpful and you willingness to share it when and where appropriate!
  • CCGAL Sep 11, 2010 @ 1:55 pm | delete
    I was aware of gimp and paint.net, but had no idea so many web-based applications were available. I'm no graphic artist - I'm lucky I can crop photos in Picasa, but learning how to do more photo manipulation is on my list of things I want to do. I've put a link on my "good stuff, maynard" blog so I can find this again. Great job - your layout is really outstanding, by the way.
  • guardianstar77 Sep 11, 2010 @ 7:54 pm | delete
    Thank you, ccgal. That was a very generous thing to do! I am actually working on a whole series of reviews free online photo editors. Currently have 3 live and one that I just published. Maybe you will find exactly what you need among them. More to come!
  • kansapa Aug 10, 2010 @ 9:39 pm | delete
    Hornil StylePix is an impressive Photoshop replacement that is not only freeware but is only 1.5MB in size.
    http://hornil.com/
  • Jul 26, 2010 @ 10:12 am | delete
    i really enjoyed reading about these free alternatives to photoshop. i've been a photo restoration expert for several years and i always find it a tough choice when it comes to upgrading to the latest photoshop version. i always do though as i stil lhaven't come across a program that can quite match photoshop. there are i few apps that you've mentioned on here though that i haven't used yet so will definitely check them out. if you're new to photo restoration and photo repair check out my web site to see the amazing results that be achieved - Photo Restoration - Iridis Imaging.
  • clouda9 Jul 18, 2010 @ 6:57 pm | delete
    Absolutely fantastic! I am in awe and so inspired by what you have done to fix this lens up. Does my heart good knowing you love this lens - have called it your own!
  • guardianstar77 Jul 18, 2010 @ 8:21 pm | delete
    Thank you, Correen. I was very surprised to see your comment actually. I was not 100% finished with it yet and did not intend to publish it. I was working on it very late one night; I guess I hit the publish button instead of Save Draft. Oops. I am delighted you like what I have done with it. Thank you!
  • RedSportNiac Jul 11, 2010 @ 8:57 am | delete
    I love Picnik. Would ever upgrade once it is justified for my ventures.
  • SarahBarnard Jul 2, 2010 @ 5:47 am | delete
    Thanks! I love free stuff.
  • guardianstar77 Jul 2, 2010 @ 5:58 am | delete
    So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
  • aj2008 Jul 2, 2010 @ 5:34 am | delete
    What a great resource for anyone looking for photo editing alternatives to photoshop. (BTW - thanks for lovely comment on my Answer Deck lens!)
  • guardianstar77 Jul 2, 2010 @ 5:57 am | delete
    Thank you, AJ. As for my comments on the Answer Deck lens, you probably know by now that while I do talk too much sometimes (see below, haha), I always tell the truth. You have been an inspiration to me from my beginning on Squidoo.
  • clouda9 Jul 1, 2010 @ 9:33 pm | delete
    Congrats on your win! Crabbysbeach is a fun place to hang - bonus is if you are chatty enough you get a prize...lol! Hey you said I didn't! Anyway, enjoy fixing up this lens about Alternatives to Photoshop by adding your special touches.
  • guardianstar77 Jul 2, 2010 @ 5:54 am | delete
    I most certainly will do that, Correen. I "almost" regret that I am going to have a very busy weekend because I would love to start adding "me" to this lens right away. The generosity of the Squidoo professionals knows no bounds.
  • daybreak Apr 7, 2010 @ 3:16 pm | delete
    A 5 star lens. I will study this page in detail. I currently use Adobe Elements but have been wanting to find a comparison like this.
  • Flynn_the_Cat Jun 21, 2009 @ 12:57 am | delete
    Lensrolled here http://www.squidoo.com/ArtRagePainting
  • poddys Mar 2, 2009 @ 3:18 pm | delete
    Very nice lens. I downloaded Paint.net the other day and hope this works for me. I tried Gimp - couldn't figure it out at all. 5***** for some really useful information.

    Oh yes - have you come across Faststone? It's a free photo/image viewer with some good manipulation capabilities. I love it, great for slide shows and most of the editing I need to do.
  • vbright105 Dec 16, 2008 @ 6:49 pm | delete
    I'm glad I saw this. I am a real technotard so photoshop made no sense to me. Unfortunately, I downloaded GIMP and I don't understand that either...lol. Ah well, Great information and great lens!
  • clouda9 Oct 28, 2008 @ 2:57 pm | in reply to Flynn_the_Cat | delete
    Thanks for your information about the other programs. I just added them today.
  • Flynn_the_Cat Oct 13, 2008 @ 8:34 pm | delete
    Oops, no it's not. Sorry. Just remembered that it had gone up $5
    Irfanview's a fairly good free photo editor.
  • Flynn_the_Cat Oct 13, 2008 @ 5:18 am | delete
    Always after freebies ^_^ - you appear to be the only other person on here writing about ArtRage? How odd XD

    I cna definitely recommend paint.NET - have you tried GIMP? Or was the learning curve to steep to include here?
    (by the way, ArtRage is $30 now)
  • lisadh Aug 22, 2008 @ 5:23 pm | delete
    I use Picasa and love it!
  • Janet21 May 18, 2008 @ 5:15 pm | delete
    Nice lens! Welcome to the Everything Photography Group! :)
  • WhitneyWells Mar 20, 2008 @ 3:43 pm | delete
    Good information - I'll be favoriting this stuff!
  • merriweather Feb 20, 2008 @ 6:40 pm | delete
    Thanks for the info, it's great to have such affordable options
  • mulberry Feb 20, 2008 @ 5:50 pm | delete
    Good information! I love the creativity that all of the software give us.
  • JenniferAkers Feb 19, 2008 @ 10:12 pm | delete
    Thanks for all the great information. 5* Lens!
    Best, Jennifer
  • flowergardener Feb 19, 2008 @ 4:52 pm | delete
    Very cool 5* lens! I love the fact that you found some FREE stuff!

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guardianstar77

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