GIMP

The Gimp software is a free to use image editing software. It is in essence, supposed to be a free variation of Adobe Photoshop. It’s the only free alternative to Photoshop on the market and it had just been updated slightly as of this month.

The Gimp interface, along with a majority of the functions however are terrible. A massive problem is the amount of windows used when using the program. Instead of a typical program with a single widow split into multiple panes, Gimp uses multiple smaller windows. There are three in total: the left window is for the tool display, the middle for the work space, and the right for the layers panel. This creates clutter during work flow and would've been simpler had it just been on one window. In terms of performance some of the tools are very basic and others are very arbitrary. To flip an object for example, you click the flip object tool, and it flips the specific object. However, it only flips the object on that specific layer, this can cause problems when trying working with multiple layers. Masking an object or selection is also a lot of work in Gimp than in Photoshop. There are lots of steps to making a mask, and in Photoshop there are barely any. The tool options for specific tools are also not intuitive to use. For example, in order to change the size and opacity of the brush, there is a slider with the option to manually type in the number. However unlike other programs where you can manipulate the slider by either scrolling or typing in the number, the only way to use the slider in Gimp is to manually slide the dial across. Another strange quirk about the brush tool is the selection of brushes available. Some are very basic while others are just taking up space and would never really be used, such as the pepper brush which is literally a green pepper.  Nowadays programs are becoming accustomed to using a tablet as well as a mouse. Although Gimp is able to integrate tablet usage, there is a huge delay of lag which is terrible for getting smooth line quality.

Although the program does get the work done, some basic functions that would be simple to execute in Photoshop or other programs are done in multiple steps in Gimp or are nonexistent. The shortcuts for the most essential tools don’t take into account the user’s work flow, but rather goes by a lettering logic. For example the shortcut for the paint brush tool is the “P” key, which isn’t intuitive design, having to force the user to leave the mouse or tablet pen in order to press it when the shortcut could've been on the other side of the keyboard.

If this program was to be updated with better usability and less arbitrary functions this would be a great improvement. Having used this program for a few years, the only main improvement that has been emphasized since its initial launch is the lack of crashing. It’s hard to say whether this program is salvageable. It has some very basic functions going for it and the price is free, but compared to other programs on the market, including cheaper ones, Gimp doesn't have a whole lot of unique features. Although it has had updates over the years they have been very minor tweaks. It would definitely need a big update that incorporated overall better design and user friendliness.

Overall the program is very basic, annoying to use, and can be very arbitrary. The price is free, and it’s able to get the most basic tasks done. Gimp however isn't very user friendly in terms of both use and functionality. It isn’t going to replace any other program on the market and isn’t even close to replicating the usefulness of Adobe Photoshop.