Photoshop - where dya get it?

[Robert_T]

Hi all, from what I can see Adobe Photoshop appears to be the flagship processing product for the astro-imaging community. I'm currently getting by with freeware irfanview and a $20 cheapy, MadeSafe photopaint - these allow some basic processing and unsharp masking, but would like to make the jump to photoshop. Price is a bit of a blocker, even the academic version is steep. Anyone recommend any reasonably priced outlets for Photoshop or want to recommend an alternative product with similar functionality (esp. combining RGB layers)?

ta,

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Download the GIMP from www.gimp.org. If you're using Windows follow the links to the Windows installers. Download and install gtk first and then the gimp (as per instructions on the website).

The GIMP provides very much the same functionality as PhotoShop. It's free, open source. I find it easier to use than Photoshop but that's probably because I am used to it.


(In the unlikely event that you're using Linux, you'll probably find that the GIMP is already installed on your system. )

PS. I know that Bird uses the GIMP. That should be as strong an endorsement as image processing software can get.

[cventer]

Spend the money if you can on Photoshop CS or CS2. The main reason being that Ron Wodowski's upcomming book on the "Zone Processing System" is basically a how to manual for using Photoshop to process images. I have the pre release web downloads and its just awesome and it does not mention Gimp anywhere.....

I am sure other products provide as good or better functions, but the fact is most top level astrophotographers use Photoshop so there is more info on using it for astro processing and more plug ins available than for any other software...)eg Fits plus, Noiseware, Gradient Exterminator etc...)

[Robert_T]

thanks all, I'll try out the Gimp and see how that goes, while keeping an eye out for a bargain copy of Photoshop CS....

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Yes, even if you ultimately want PS, you might as well grab the Gimp in the meantime (esp. if you've got a fast connection). It has the odd feature that PS doesn't (and vice-versa). If you're into plugins there are lots of them out there too. Have a look at the Plug-in registry at the website for a sample.

But the Gimp only supports 8 bits per colour channel AFAIK. If you want more, then you'll need the Gimp fork, Cinepaint (bit behind the Gimp in terms of features, but supports up to 32 bits per channel).

[Striker (Tony)]

Robert....I have sent you a PM.

This will answer all your questions.