Self teach Photoshop CS5, GIMP, or both?

[CZroe]

OK, my first encounter with GIMP was when I installed a Linux distro in the '90s. I had no idea that it was much more than an Illustrator-style drawing app. I could just tell that it was a lot more powerful than, say, MS Paint, but I had no idea that it could do the kinds of things people use Photoshop for. Over the years, that has slowly dawned on me. Also, I'm not quite sure when I finally realized that there was a Windows port, but the combination of the two realizations is what has me interested. So I want to learn how to use GIMP. I watched a 10 minute "how to" that showed how to easily make bordered text on pictures (LOLcats style) and I'd also like to make some animate GIFs.

But, here's the thing: My sister recently purchased a student copy of Adobe Photoshop CS5 and installed it on my PC (much more powerful than hers). That means that I'd be learning GIMP before Photoshop when I have Photoshop!

I'm sure that there are a wealth of tutorials for both. What do you guys suggest I learn first?

 

[lxskllr]

I don't really know anything, but I'd suggest Gimp. I've recently started using it myself, and after taking the time to learn it a bit, it doesn't seem like a confusing mess as it did the first time I picked it up. What I like about Gimp is it's free to use forever, and as long as it exists, you'll have free updates forever.

I have no experience with PS, so I can't compare, but a lot of the complaints directed at Gimp seem to come from PS users that are pissed that Gimp isn't PS. In other words, Gimp will do /most/ of what PS does, but differently, so experienced PS users get frustrated and start bitching. If Gimp really is inferior(I don't think it is for the vast majority of users), you'll appreciate PS that much more if you use it after learning Gimp.

 

[tnt118]

I use both (Gimp at home, PS at work). For most people, either program will be equally fine. I use Gimp a little more and am somewhat more familiar and comfortable with it. Unless you expect to be in the top 3% of PS power-users, you won't be missing out on anything.

I personally feel Gimp is a little easier to learn (only frustration for me is the multi-window layout, which will change with the next major release). Only thing I ever miss while on the Gimp side is automated tasks and batch operations. If you ever expect to use other Adobe products (like After Effects or Premiere), PS's layout will have similarities to those programs.

 

[Dasda]

Sorry to Hijack the thread, can someone recommend some good tutorial websites for photoshop? Its a good way to kill time and I would like to learn how to use photoshop for fun to one day maybe designing a website or something.

Thanks.

 

[Q]

I started out using Gimp, and recently this year have learned PS CS5 (for a class). I still like GIMP more, I feel it's easier to use, but PS is still quite nice.

What are you trying to do? Just mess with images, or create logos, web designs, avatars?

 

[pyonir]

What are you trying to do? Just mess with images, or create logos, web designs, avatars?

That would be my question, along with those that recommend one or the other...what are you using it for?

I'd be exclusively using it for photo editing. Would GIMP be more than sufficient or would I probably prefer CS5?

 

[techforums]

Sorry to Hijack the thread, can someone recommend some good tutorial websites for photoshop? Its a good way to kill time and I would like to learn how to use photoshop for fun to one day maybe designing a website or something.

Thanks.

planetphotoshop.com

 

[homercles337]

I had no idea that it was much more than an Illustrator-style drawing app.

Gimp is a photoshop-style application, Illustrator is a vector graphics application. Totally different animals. That being said Gimp is a fine photoshop replacement.

 

[Dasda]

planetphotoshop.com

Thanks