====== GNU Image Manipulation Program ======

GIMP, a powerful free alternative to Photoshop, with ability of tons of customization and configuration flexibility.

  * Download: http://www.gimp.org/
  * install as normal

  * Portable GIMP setup
    * http://portableapps.com/apps/graphics_pictures/gimp_portable
    * how-to: http://lifehacker.com/#!5062805/gimp-portable-plus-two-plug+ins-now-available


  * **Krita is far better than GIMP in many ways and beyond**
    * https://krita.org/en/
    * it, at the same time, aims to be a free alternative to Corel Painter and PaintTool SAI
====== From Photoshop to GIMP ======

**updated 2016.11**
  * **Quick Conclusion for Photo Retouch**
    * for lack of adjustment layer, it is hurting the fast workflow for non-destructive photo retouch workflow
    * it has clone, and basic heal for 2nd layer retouch, but lack of quick spot heal and patch tool may slow down the retouch process a bit
  * **Quick Conclusion for Graphic Design**
    * lack of "mask unlinking feature" and "quick multiple layer selection" are slowing the arranging layout process
    * same, lack of adjustment layer is quick no no for fast multiple alternation version creation.
    * text is not able to keep editable after rotation or scale, and lost vector graphic information, which means big No No for graphic design.
  * **Quick Conclusion for general usage for image editing**
    * it has all the essential tools for non-professional graphic user to get the job done.

^ PS ^ GIMP ^ Krita |
^ selection ^^^
| hide selection | ctrl + T | ctrl+H |
| Deselect | ctrl+shift + A | ctrl+shift+A |
^Layer Operation ^^^
| ctrl+j | ctrl+c, ctrl+v, ctrl+shift+n | ctrl+j |
| lock layer movement | can't, but only limit move active layer | Yes |
| lock layer paint,alpha | yes, there is icon on layer panel | Yes |
| move multiple layers | can't, but only with layer link or layer group \\ make it like photoshop 7 in 2016 | Yes |
| mask | layer menu > mask > add layer mask | Yes |
| unlink mask | can't, have to use selection trick to move them independently \\ a pain for a serious tool | Yes |
| shape layer | no, you have to path+pixel layer to manually generate for each change | Yes, vector layer |
| brush | P key, [] for size change | B key |
| dodge, burn | shift+D, ctrl to toggle | **NO** |
| pen | B key, close with ctrl click first point | Yes |
| adjustment layer | can't, this is making GIMP a totally useless for serious photo editing, \\ I would rather use a free compositing software than gimp for this missing feature | Yes |
| blend mode | yes, lighten, darken, screen, multiply, soft lighten | Yes |
^ Retouch operation ^^^
| clone | C key, same functions as PS | Yes, under brush preset |
| heal | H key, only source target heal | Yes, clone \\ with right click option : healing |
| spot heal | can't, only clone with soft brush \\ basically a auto small patch ||
| patch | can't, only clone with soft brush \\ auto clone a patch from source and blend them ||
^ Filter ^^^
| high pass filter | need install plugin | Yes |
| blur, sharp filter | built-in | Yes |
====== Simple Tasks ======

  * gif creation:
    * http://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Animated-GIF
====== GIMP structure ======

===== shortcuts and preference settings =====

  * shortcut config file: data/menurc