Filed under: Design, Windows, Linux, Open Source
GIMP 2.7 beta released
by Brad Linder Aug 27th 2009 at 5:00PM
As you can see from the screengrab of the installer, this is not a stable release. And it crashed on me a few times as I tried out some of the new features, including the new on-canvas text editor. But here are a few of the changes in GIMP 2.7:
- GIMP resources such as brushes and patterns are now taggable.
- Save as and Export functions have been separated. To save a file as anything other than an XCF file, you need to use Export.
- Enhanced size entry widget
- Refinements to the layer mode menus
- Status bar feedback for keyboard changes to brush patterns
So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Trav said 6:13PM on 8-27-2009
I was hoping a new version would be released soon. The current version is so unstable! Hopefully the stability issues will have been fixed by the time it exits beta. I've been using a program based off of GIMP 2.4, as it lacks the instability of 2.6.
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Saint Seminole said 7:04PM on 8-27-2009
I was hoping the new version would more resemble Photoshop. After using PS professionally for several years, I *really* miss it at home (can't afford it!) But every time I try the GIMP, the learning curve is pretty high. It seems like none of the tools have the same names as PS, and their controls aren't in similar locations (even with GIMPshop, which didn't seem to help at all).
Ugh. I'm using Paint.NET right now, which is okay, but disappointing when compared to PS.
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Joshua said 10:19AM on 8-28-2009
If you have PS at work, i believe you can install it at home on the same license.
techpops said 5:50AM on 8-28-2009
I think its time the Gimp got a new logo and a more professional image.
I'd also like to see the guys behind this taking a leaf out of Blenders book and focusing on the interface, making that as usable as possible. Blender goes from strength to strength as a 3D tool but Gimp seems to remain relatively ignored. You can't really blame this on the feature set, it's that UI that needs serious work.
Now I'll just sneak back into my comfy old slippers and Paint Shop Pro 7.
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Sean said 10:41PM on 8-27-2009
I'm inclined to say that there's nothing wrong with Blender's current interface (2.49a). I actually love the interface to death to be honest, it just took some time to learn it at first. As long as you follow the right tutorials (Blender Noob to Pro wikibook is excellent), then you'll be just fine getting familiar with it.
techpops said 7:41AM on 8-28-2009
I think a lot of people feel the same way once they've put the time in to learn a complex UI. My 3D app of choice is Cinema 4D and I think that's the pinnacle of 3D interfaces right now. Completely customizable and much of it is easy enough to use that no manual is necessary, but then me being a user of that app I'd probably say that anyway, whether it was true or not, since that's what I know and that feels right.
What got me looking at Blender again were the conferences held that discussed the UI specifically and went into great detail on where the interface is now and where it could be, what could be changed to make it better. It's the first time I've seen such effort being put into a free app. That's not to say Blender isn't very good in some places. Definitely not knocking Blender, it's something I keep my eye on closely, as a possible tool to switch to someday.
I just think Gimp would benefit from this kind of focus on the interface as it's fine for people already into it but really lacking for new users. I don't think it should just clone Photoshop either, to me that tool is a real bloated mess but then anything Adobe touches usually ends up that way.
Richard said 7:41AM on 8-28-2009
If your needs are modest, then Paint.NET is the way to go. Not only does it have an interface that doesn't make you want to cry, but telling someone its name won't cause them to think you're some kind of pervert.
If your needs aren't modest, then you probably should just pony up for Photoshop.
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Ringo said 7:22PM on 8-28-2009
For those with stability problems, I'm guessing you're on Windows and probably Vista. The latest version of GIMP is known to have issues there. On the other hand I've had no problems running GIMP 2.6.6 on both my tablet PC and workstation in Ubuntu 9.04, working hours on end with pretty big pictures.
What the article should probably have mentioned is that this is a developer release, not really a beta. It's not tested, and probably only good for giving you an idea of what's coming in 2.8.
As for the interface, I don't really have a problem with it. Once you learn how to use it, I find it no better or worse than Photoshop's. Generally I have all my windows (color picker, layers, etc.) docked in tabs underneath the tools. This means I only have one tool box, and not many. Where Photoshop shines, and GIMP fails (for now....it's coming in 2.8), is in color handling...GIMP lacks full 16bit support and CMYK support. These are features that are irrelevant to most home users, but are very important when doing print or film work.
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