Amazon.co.uk Review
The Gnu Image Manipulation Program is one of the best image editors available--and it's free. It's part of every Linux distribution but also runs on any Unix. Divided into five parts, the book covers getting and installing The GIMP (a CD complete with GTK library and 200 filters is included), tools, concepts, filters and Script-Fu, and real world uses.
The tools, concepts and menus discussion is good, while the coverage of selections, layers and channels-the most confusing feature for new users though essential to tap into The GIMP's power--is excellent. There are a number of illustrative image editing and creation mini-tutorials, but a lot of the book is more about Linux than for creatives using the GIMP. For example, it starts with editing GIMP configuration files, has heavy coverage of Script-Fu, The GIMP's unfriendly scripting language, and the alternative Gimp-Perl. While most GIMP extensions are written as scripts, it isn't what most people do with The GIMP. Another example is the section on adding fonts. PostScript fonts is a fuss but adding TrueType fonts often involves adding a new font server. Getting this wrong can cripple your system--and is likely to confuse creative types. Similarly, the final 100 pages list The GIMP's procedural database as a reference for those creating scripts. Overall, this is a useful addition to the excellent free GIMP manual, but it does suffer from a confusion of purpose in mixing technical and programming aspects with image editing. --Steve Patient
Synopsis
If GIMP can do it, you can do it too Learn and master GIMP - the powerful, flexible, extensible graphics package for Linux - with the GIMP for Linux (R) Bible. This step-by-step guide covers everything from mastering the basics to working wonders with layers and customizing graphics for the Web. GIMP gurus share their insights and lead you through all the colorful nuances of digital imaging in Linux. Whether you're just beginning or a serious digital artist, you'll quickly learn to make all the powerful features of GIMP work for you!
Inside, you'll find complete coverage of GIMP for Linux * Create icons, buttons, backgrounds, image maps, textures, and more* Use drop shadows, raised type, glowing images, and blends to create interesting effects* Discover how to clone, convert, merge, blend, link, and align layers* Utilize advanced features such as online batch processing and mass production image rendering* Modify images with GIMP's tiled memory image management system* Automate processes with Script-Fu, GIMP's full-featured scripting tool* Maximize the impact of your Web pages with stunning graphics* See all GIMP can do by exploring the 16 pages of full-color artwork CD-ROM with GIMP "public" version 1.0.4 and developers version 1.1.14, plus: * GIMP Toolkit (GTK)* More than 200 GIMP plug-ins* Applications and script* Source code and images from the book www idgbooks.com System Requirements: Linux
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