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While the world's best commercial graphics applications come packed with features, they also come with a price tag that many people find hard to justify.
While there are plenty of cheaper alternatives, the simple truth is: It's hard to get cheaper than free.
Today we’re going to take a look at some of the free, open source graphics applications available, and see if they’re worthy replacements. If you’re not already familiar with the wealth of free, open source graphics applications now available, you may feel left out.
The best open source graphics software on this list is comparable in quality to its leading commercial counterparts. Don't be fooled by the word 'free'. This is a case where 'free' doesn't mean low quality. I know what you're thinking: "If I use free software, I'm definitely saving some extra money!"
Relax bro, even so you can still donate to the hard working developers behind these apps, and help them make them even better. So, let’s get into the list, and see if open source can really compete with their expensive commercial counterparts.
Although most of these applications were originally developed for Linux, they often have Windows and Mac versions.
1. Can You Use GIMP to Replace Photoshop?
Often the first application that comes to mind when we think of free and open source graphics is GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program). While GIMP doesn’t have all the special features of Photoshop, it does offer a lot of alternative options. In fact, there are many professional designers who use GIMP and release their work, the results are amazing. So, assuming you have some design skills, the limitations of the application you have become secondary.
What Can GIMP Do?
GIMP is a raster graphics application that is useful for image editing and retouching. You can also use it to create raster images from scratch, as well as simple animations.
Supports layers and channels, has advanced gradient functions, including quick paths and masks. There are rotation and transformation tools, as well as tools for scaling, cropping, resizing, converting file formats, and more. GIMP can also be used for Web and print design. There are even some tools that have no direct analogues in Photoshop - for example, the Cage Transformation tool allows you to create curves on parts of an object.
Where Is GIMP Lacking?
The main area where GIMP lags a bit is the interface and feature list. Any designer who was born with the Photoshop interface, may have a hard time finding menu options where they expected them to be. Yes, GIMP’s interface is different from Photoshop, and there will be an inevitable learning curve. However, if the UI differences are holding you back from being creative, then don’t worry there’s still Gimpshop. Gimpshop is a retro-styled GIMP with a very Photoshop-like interface.
In terms of features, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly which Photoshop features are missing, as most of the missing functionality can be added through GIMP’s rich plugin ecosystem. For example, GIMP wasn’t designed with RAW processing capabilities in mind, but this can be addressed by adding the UFRaw plugin.
GIMP lacks Photoshop’s granular text options, along with its adjustment layers. CMYK support is also somewhat limited by default, although additional plugins can plug this gap if needed.
Interoperability is often cited as the biggest issue for dedicated GIMP users. Clients often give you PSD files, and while GIMP supports PSD in theory, the practical results are not always ideal. This file format issue is often cited as the biggest hurdle for new users, and it is likely the main reason GIMP has not been widely adopted.
2. Can you use Inkscape to replace Illustrator?
Adobe Illustrator is another leading commercial vector graphics application that has a free, open source competitor in the form of Inkscape.
Inkscape uses the W3C Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) standard file format by default. As you may know, SVG is a format that is becoming more relevant to web developers every day. It can also work with other popular vector formats, such as .ai, .eps, or .pdf, while most other vector graphics programs can handle its SVG files.
Inkscape ships with markers, clones, alpha blending, path operations, bitmap tracing, and other standard SVG features.
Perhaps the most interesting part here is the list of Inkscape features that are missing from Illustrator. According to inkscape.org, the following Inkscape capabilities are missing from Illustrator:
- Edit SVG source directly
- Clones, tiled clones, edit clones on canvas
- Keys to move/rotate/scale by screen pixels
- Shapes as objects
- Edit gradients with handles on-canvas
- Edit nodes with keyboard
- One-click paint bucket fill.
On the other hand, if you decide to switch to Inkscape, you should also be aware of its limitations. First, file interoperability can be an issue, especially with older .ai files. Inkscape.org also publishes a list of Illustrator features that are missing from Inkscape:
- Gradient meshes
- Multiple strokes and fills for one object
- Color management for print (ICCProfiles, etc.)
- PMS color management
- Natively work with graphs based ondata
- Free transform and perspective transform (available via extension)
- Blends (available via extension).
3. Can you use Scribus to replace InDesign?
If you’re interested in desktop publishing, then you might be interested in Scribus as an alternative to Quark Xpress, Adobe InDesign, or Microsoft Publisher. Scribus is also one of those programs that can be considered a match made in heaven, so again, you decide, we’re just reviewing it.
What Can Scribus Do?
Simply put, Scribus offers "CMYK color, separations, Spot Color, ICC color management, and versatile PDF creation." Scribus can also work with most common raster and vector image formats, as well as many text formats.
Scribus's Lacking Features
Similarly to GIMP and Inkscape, Scribus's interface is very different from InDesign's. Until you get used to it, it may take some time to adjust to working with it.
Now, I'm no Scribus expert, and to be honest, my encounters with InDesign are pretty sketchy, but experienced desktop publishers tell me they can't get enough of Scribus for critical publishing tasks.
In addition, many common functions that you will find in InDesign are currently missing from Scribus. For example, in Scribus you cannot zoom, move or hide individual palettes.
4. Can you use Blender to replace Adobe Premiere?
The list of useful open source applications that compete competently with commercial equivalents is too long to cover comprehensively here. But a special mention is directly proportional to its capabilities, namely the incredibly powerful Blender 3D, which is used for 3D design, video editing, and special effects.
