Notice that some of the shortcut keys are the same in both programs such as Copy, Cut, Paste, etc.-a CUA (Common User Access) standard that still applies. GIMP adds the new reassigned shortcut to the correct GIMP menus, so you can always see what they are. Follow the instructions beside the lightbulb at the bottom of the window, then click Save. To remap your keyboard shortcuts in GIMP, select Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts, and the Configure Keyboard Shortcuts dialog window opens. If Photoshop and its keyboard shortcuts are part of your muscle memory, you can reassign the GIMP shortcut keys to match Photoshop’s. While I advise you to review them all, these two (including one from another site) will get you started: It is worth every minute of learning, which is the only cost of using it.Who has time to read the tutorials? Photoshop, Paintshop Pro, or Corel Paint users will end up saving some time if they do, because GIMP’s menus are very different. There are over a dozen tutorials on the GIMP Tutorials page on the website. So, I get regular updates to the application, and incremental improvements every three months, courtesy of the GIMP programmers. I proved to her that I could do it better, over and over again, using the GIMP, and the argument is over. She prefers easier applications, however, she no longer edits the photos. Oh, and if you like Linux, it prints just fine there too.
Why? because printing from windows picture and Fax viewer or MS Office Photo editor always seems to get the color a little better than GIMP printing. The only thing I don't do with it is print. IF that doesn't work, read the user manual, it is VERY thorough. And there are 8 different ways to do whatever you want, and many different tutorials to show you how. And may of the new features and tweaks for Adobe Photoshop can be found at their plugin site. Once you start to like it, get the USB drive version from and you are off to the races again! GIMP is difficult to master at first, but start with the basic tutorials from the site, and work your way up, and you will start thinking of new ideas to improve your pictures, and GIMP can do it all. will point you everywhere you need to go.
I considered other stuff like Paint.NET can, but the documentation, wiki, tutorials, user manuals are more thorough than any other program out there. I am not a GIMP guru by any stretch, however GIMP can do everything any freeware (non-opensource) photo editor can.
I was tired of spending money on software that was worse than mediocre. I started using the GIMP after a purchase of Microsoft Picture It! kept crashing on me. Hopefully this one pushes it into the spotlight again. Wow, I am surprised it has had so few reviews in recent years.
I find GIMP to nearly match up against similar programs such as Corel Paint Shop Pro 9 – but GIMP is free. Remember, an ordinary JPG file can turn into a monstrous 100MB file while it is being edited. By doing this you greatly reduce the risk of losing work due to program "crashing". I would advise that when working on photo(s), close as many extra open windows as possible (e.g. I have never had any serious "crashing" problems which were directly attributed to GIMP itself. User-friendliness is reasonably good, once you learn the "GIMP way", it is easy. Most of these work just fine for me – except the noise reduction, which I'll mention later in my review. There are many advanced features like curves, cloning, unsharp mask, print size scaling – and of course – a layers tool. It can perform to high standards and allows a huge amount of customization via the "PREFERENCES" section.
This is one of my favourite pieces of image-editing software. Product reviewed: GIMP 2.4.5 on Linux 8.4 OS.