Gimp!!!!!

[denanbob]

Could this be anymore confusing? And I'm not talking about USING the program, I'm talking about installing the program! I finally think I got it installed but then it's wanting me to change all of my settings and asking me things I cannot understand. I'm afraid of it so I'm uninstalling it. After all that..................sheesh. Does anyone actually USE this ridiculously confusing software? Free or not, it's frustrating the heck out of me. I downloaded Paint Shop Pro X for the 30 day free trial, but I can't figure that one out either (selective colorization). The layers make no sense to me no matter how slow I read the instructions. I just want pretty pictures like everyone else has

Just venting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jfulcer]

I'm a really big computer geek but I don't get GIMP either. I'd recommend not using it. Understanding layers is going to basic for understanding how you work with photos and editing.

Think of "a layer" as a transparent sheet of plastic layed on top of your picture. You can draw/type on it all you want, but you're not touching the original picture. Best of all, you can just remove the layer and your original image is still there, untouched. A number of photo effects will add layer upon layer of effects, all removable and all adjustable individually - Without touching the original image.

For selective colorization (at least with the photoshop process I use - I would guess it's similar to the Paintshop method), think of that layer as having a special 'paint' on it that makes your image appear black and white. Kind of like if you had a blue image, and laid a transparent yellow sheet on top, it would look green.

Selective colorization is actually kind of misleading - you aren't really coloring a specific section of your image - you are erasing that black and white filter 'paint' that is on the layer above your image so you can see the color showing through.

Good luck!

Instead of 'Selective Coloring' think of it as 'Selective Black and White Filter Erasing'.

 

[jenny2]

Jeff - that is the best explination of filters and selective coloring I've heard yet!

 

[denanbob]

I'm a really big computer geek but I don't get GIMP either. I'd recommend not using it. Understanding layers is going to basic for understanding how you work with photos and editing.

Think of "a layer" as a transparent sheet of plastic layed on top of your picture. You can draw/type on it all you want, but you're not touching the original picture. Best of all, you can just remove the layer and your original image is still there, untouched. A number of photo effects will add layer upon layer of effects, all removable and all adjustable individually - Without touching the original image.

For selective colorization (at least with the photoshop process I use - I would guess it's similar to the Paintshop method), think of that layer as having a special 'paint' on it that makes your image appear black and white. Kind of like if you had a blue image, and laid a transparent yellow sheet on top, it would look green.

Selective colorization is actually kind of misleading - you aren't really coloring a specific section of your image - you are erasing that black and white filter 'paint' that is on the layer above your image so you can see the color showing through.

Good luck!

Instead of 'Selective Coloring' think of it as 'Selective Black and White Filter Erasing'.

Ok, thanks for that explanation. THAT makes sense to me. Now I"m going to Paint Shop Pro and will try to figure it out again. I will have to figure out if I want a vector layer or some other kind of layer I think.........there's all different kinds it seems. Off to give it another shot! Thanks again!!

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Wow, for a second I thought you were calling me. I guess being in this shoulder brace for 8 weeks has got me parnoid. Good luck with the software!

Jeff

 

[jfulcer]

Jeff - that is the best explination of filters and selective coloring I've heard yet!

The funny thing is you can do selective coloring but it's a lot harder because you have to deal with shading/gradients of the colors. I think most times it's called colorizing though. I've found it much much easier to do what I described above.

The single best thing I've ever used that I thought was a HUGE advancement in image processing is the 'healing brush' that Photoshop uses. You can use it remove blemishes/cuts/moles/scratches/etc from faces and other images. It's REALLY cool.

 

[Muushka]

My husband (the computer geek) installed Gimp 2 on our computers. I really like it because I am able to shoot in 'raw', adjust the white balance or whatever needs adjusting and then change it into a JPEG. Then I play with it in Adobe PS. I prefer the Adobe for everything else.

If you want to PM me with specific questions, I will pass them on to "the geek". I know he did not have any problems installing it, but he is pretty knowlegeble.