I use both Paint Shop Pro and Elements and they seem to complement one another well. Considering the quality images which are best for web work, anything really simple and straightforward is just fine. I use my CC Pix Converter a lot too if I just want to batch resize for thumbnails and so on. Gimp is not terribly intuitive, but gets the job done just as well for the main part.

You could always go the e-bay route for older versions of the image editing software to avoid paying out large sums of money. Going back about 3 versions of the application will still get good results for web work.

I downloaded Gimp to goof around with it. In my opinion the learning curve isn't much different than Photoshop. I think the biggest problem is when you're used to the Photoshop interface. That's not Gimp's fault; just human nature.

That being said, there appeared to be a noticeable difference in the quality of images. I created a logo with PS Elements 8 and saved it for the web in JPEG. I then recreated the same logo in Gimp and saved it in an optimized JPEG trying to make the file size and compression rate as close as possible. The image created in Gimp is, all around, of noticeably lesser quality; artifacts, bleeding, etc.

Granted, the issue very likely rests in the fact that I'm not well versed in Gimp.

Dan.. I had heard about that problem but haven't tested it. Did you use the same image you had already optimized in Elements or was it the original image used again?

I used original images again. I basically started from scratch both times.


Regards

Dan - I pulled this out just in case it might be of interest to you...
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/digital_image_resizing_gimp

Thank you, Janys.

And from me as well - thank you Janys!

Hi Per.. you are welcome of course. In fact I shall try to find the time to read that myself properly too.

If you are looking for a good, free image editor, I suggest reviewing those listed at
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/gmm/f … cedit.html
would be worthwhile.

I have heard that Gimp has more of a learning curve than many others.

There are many paid programs which I think would be worth checking out which are available well under the current Adobe price for PS Elements (not knocking the program)
Corel's Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 and PhotoImpact X3 are two.

Serif has a relevant program - can't remember the name - and you can get a substantial discount every now and again if you subscribe to their newsletter.

Good luck
John Williams