Repository

https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp

Introduction

GIMP is a free and open source image editing software. On the previews posts of the series, I went through the many advantages of going open source. Not just GIMP is free, which by itself already reduces the costs involved on your image editing work and allows you to possibly ask for a more competitive price (which is great price if you are just getting started), but also it is multi-platform, which does not sound like a big deal but it is more important than it looks like, making it easier to get a backup machine in case something goes wrong with your main workstation.

GIMP offers a very flexible and personalizable interface/workspace/workflow, just as described on the previous post, that it can fit perfectly well the average users with light editing needs, it can also fit professionals that want to start saving money or learn something new. Yes, there are, at least here in Brazil, places that hire professionals and consider knowledge in GIMP as a plus for your skillset.

At the end of the post I will also talk how can this program fit the niche of a third group of people, the ones that want to get started, want to learn and work with graphic design or photo editing, but they do not have the budget to spend, and GIMP fits perfectly those people because they can get started on any computer and on Linux, all of those factors can reduce drastically the cost for them to get started as Linux is free, GIMP is also free and very lightweight,

Challenging the norm

It is no secret that Adobe software dominates the professional graphics industry, Photoshop probably being the most known and used image editor. But GIMP does not lag that much behind in terms of professional use. Of course, Adobe has a bigger budget to invest on research and development of their program, but on the other hand, for GIMP is open source, the potential is big, I will talk on this post about the plugins and add-ons, this feature allows you to grow your range of tools.

On the previous post, available here
https://steemit.com/utopian-io/@igormuba/gimp-series-is-gimp-for-you-workflow-introduction-my-first-steps-part-2
I have shown a little bit of how I use the software less professionally, on my day-to-day, but if your job is to edit images or create graphics related content your demands can be more intensive than mine.

On GIMP's website, they describe a possible workflow that might fill most of your needs regard graphics work, involving 2 other free and open source software, Inkscape and SwatchBooker. Personally, I have never seen someone SwatchBooker and I do not really know how would that add value to a professional as I am ignorant on that tool, but I have seen that a lot of professionals that choose to go open source do indeed leverage the power of GIMP with Inkscape.

Of course, even the power of 2 open source tools can have a hard time challenging the market dominance of Photoshop and other Adobe programs, but intend of this post and from their creators, I believe, is not to show you that the free alternative is better, faster or can add more value, but actually to show the audience that it is a great value and, considering it is totally free and open source, it is worth giving a try, who knows, maybe you can save money if you see that you can indeed replace your paid software for open source alternatives.

Sure, switching won't be for everyone, but chances are that for most people, even some professionals, it can be done. Not just will you save money by using GIMP but you will support the development of such software, talking about saving money, if you want to get started with freelance on graphics design, improve or change to this career, by going open-source you can dip your fit on the profession without going all in with a big investment!

Expand your horizons

If GIMP does not have what you need you can "upgrade" it. If you miss one feature from another program it is very likely that there is something out there to give you your "powers" back

If you want to see if there is an addon for you, there is this very complete post that presents you with "The 8 Best GIMP Plugins and How to Install Them"
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-gimp-plugins/

If you want to know how to install them
On Edit > Preferences > Folders > Plug-Ins
You can find the folder where to add your plugins to

Notice that Plug-Ins and Scripts are different, and also they are in different folders. One directory above where the folder we have found previously you can find both folders for each type of add-ons.

GIMP plugins and Scripts are different, and you can easily differentiate them by the extension. GIMP plug-ins are python files, so they end with .py, while scripts end with .scm.
So, just put them on the right folder and restart the program after you are done copying it!

Give it a shot

But professionals are not only people that already have a stable job or already know how to get freelance jobs related to image editing. If you have ever wanted to give it a shot to design and artwork, using free software, pretty obviously, allows you to get started for free, and as this program is multi-platform you really don't have any excuse why not to start right now, as all you need is a desktop computer, you can install it on whatever operating system you have.

And to help you get started here is a good business idea and how to do it with GIMP

You can use the open source software to start a business of selling logos or printing graphics content.
Undoubtedly there is a market for that, on freelance websites you can find job proposals for you to create a logo for some company, and for a beginner that is great, it is not hard to get started after a few weeks studying with tutorials online, and all of that for free.

I am not, by any means, saying that graphics work are easy or can be done by anyone, far from that actually, I can't do good graphical works and I have a sincere respect for people that can create impressive and very professional images and designs, but I can't deny that anyone can get started and try. Not everyone that tries will be able to land a job or a freelance, and obviously some people won't have the time to dedicated on learning, improving and being better than the average, but there is no denying that there is no reason why not get started considering that the software is free and there is free content online teaching how to use it.

Keep in mind, though, that there are many professionals out there with better equipment, not just a computer and mouse, but high-end software and drawing hardware. If you have no experience you won't be able to compete on the same level as them, making big works for big companies, and if you really want to get started most likely you will start by writing freelances to build your portfolio, and there is nothing wrong with that at all, consider those starting jobs as a homework, an assignment or a test, that is not only free but is actually paying you to study and improve!

For those who are already professionals on the field and have a stable job or returning customers that request freelance jobs, you can also get started with GIMP without giving away your already well-established workflow. You can keep the old software and hardware you are used to and give a shot with GIMP, search for new and smaller customers, just as if you are starting all over again, and with the new customers you can, or not, your choice, charge less and request a longer deadline so you can have more time and more "room for failure". Chances are your first jobs with GIMP won't be as fast or as good as the ones you do with the setup you are used to, but this is why you would like to that with new ones, and, just like on the previous example, this is paid practice time you will have.

Resources

GIMP logo and screenshots from
https://www.gimp.org/

More tutorials on GIMP
https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/

Series Backlinks

• GIMP Series - Is GIMP For You, Workflow Introduction, My First Steps (Part 2)
• GIMP Series - Introduction, First Person Experience And A Case For Open-Source (Part 1)

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