Gimp

Apr 27 2009

Bring out the Gimp

This week’s episode is another homage to free software. For starters, Gimp has arrived, courtesy of Aaron Voisine. But, the fight is not over. We’ll also look at a live battle for OS X compatibility, as we work to get a popular new P2P internet phone app made for Mac.

mu Bring out the GimpGimp.app

Between OpenOffice and Gimp, many argue there’s no need to pay hundreds for software. This version of Gimp comes packaged in an Aqua-like theme and packs new features. Today it works with Panther, Jaguar compatibility is on the way.

It is doubtful that Adobe sees this as a threat to Photoshop, which recently reeled in record profits for the company with its new CS version. Photoshop will likely out-feature Gimp for the foreseeable future.

But Gimp does bring an element of freedom to users who don’t yet have the free cash to own the best, and are happy for a free alternative. Free software opens doors, and the efforts of the many who contribute to the project are more than appreciated.

Upgrade your graphics power, or get yourself a powerful backup. Either way, Gimp is worth the download.

Skype

Peer to peer telephony is what they call it. A long-awaited, quality successor to DialPad is another way to describe Skype. But, with a Mac OS version mentioned only as a possibility, you may not even have a chance to try it out.

Thanks to Jack Arends for the heads up on this one. The coming of a Mac version of Skype my be in your hands. Send feedback to make sure the makers of Skype know that there is interest and you can help ensure that Skype comes to the best OS there is.

Doesn’t free software make the Mac OS a great place to be? More next week.

Brian

mu Bring out the GimpDownloads provided by MacUpdate

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Apr 27 2009

Poor Mans Creative Suite

Fortunately we live in an age when you don’t have to plunk down a month’s rent to get quality design applications. Check out my picks for free web and graphic design.

mu Poor Mans Creative SuiteGIMPshop

We know that GIMP is the free graphic design solution. This incarnation on GIMP has an interface that has been rearranged to more closely match Photoshop’s. It’s a convenient layout and a great example of the benefits of Open Source development.

mu Poor Mans Creative SuiteSeashore

Here’s another raster image editor that steals from GIMP.Written in Cocoa, it shares GIMP’s native file format.

seashore Poor Mans Creative Suite

Seashore supports an array of file formats and includes all the basic tools (gradient, stroke etc.). It is not as full featured as GIMP, but useful for users of the Photoshop’s core tools.

mu Poor Mans Creative SuiteExpression

Here’s a bizarre but good deal. Expression, according to MacUpdate, is a Microsoft application. The about box credits Creature House.

expression Poor Mans Creative Suite

Who’s ever it was or is, it is also a tidy vector illustration program. Its feature set is probably comparable with Illustrator 7 or 8, but it covers the core functions well.

mu Poor Mans Creative SuiteNvu

Nvu stands for anything but “Not Very Useful”. This Gecko-powered HTML editor and web site manager has matured to 1.0 status with improved Mac support and Dreamweaver-like features.

nvu Poor Mans Creative Suite

Edit web pages and publish them directly to your FTP site. Built-in tools like HTML Validator, Markup cleaner and CSS Editor make it a contender to commercial solutions.

With the increasing quality and power of free applications, you can now rely on freeware – even for pro quality work. How’s that for lowering overhead.

Brian

mu Poor Mans Creative SuiteDownloads provided by MacUpdate

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Apr 27 2009

In-depth with Inkscape

Inkscape provides many of the must-have vector illustration tools needed for logo creation and just about anything else you have in mind. For many designers, Inkscape is the lynch-pin in their escape from commercial software. Still in its pre-1.0 release (.43 to be exact), this application is on its way to becoming the Gimp of vector art.

Inscape on OS X relies on the X11 windowing system to run. The creators have file associations working with the Finder, but the overall interface does leave a bit to be desired (ironic for an illustrating application). Unlike other X11-based applications, Inkscape has no problem accessing your OS X fonts.

Every designer’s first concern (and rightly so) is to make sure a tool has the equivalent functions to the alternative. Illustrator is a very old application, and for practicality’s sake I am not going to to a feature-to-feature rundown. I can say that Inkscape supports Bezier drawing, shape tools and has a very smooth path editing tool. Object layering, grouping and complex path modifications are also included.

inkscape In depth with Inkscape

There are several important features of Illustrator lacking that will likely disqualify Inkscape for some of you. Those mostly relate to color management (PMS color, color management for print). And, as of yet Inkscape does not support Illustrator formats (except through this modification). Inkscape does its work in the open SVG format, but is capable of exporting EPS and Postscript files.

Inkscape has a built-in tracing engine and nice calligraphy tool. Tile Clones and Stamping also generate interesting illustrating effects. All these tools are well documented in the help files. After the initial shock of not having a million floating pallets on your desktop, you begin to realize how few tools you really use and need.

One of the most powerful benefits of Inkscape isn’t in the code at all. Its in the community. The Inkscape Wiki is packed with useful documentation including a Illustrator conversion guide. Also, once you make the leap to SVG you’ll find the Open Clip Art Library a great free source for clip art and design starting points.

Its clear there are a lot of exciting things ahead for this project. While the tool isn’t perfect, the more I’ve used it the more I’ve found I like it. So, Mac Design Pros, give it a whirl.

Brian

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