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Any free or very cheap grapics editing programs for Win 7?

by Kirk Ward
13 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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My house was hit by lightning and the UPS protection wasn't able to hold up, so all my computers got fried.

Whilst replacing the machines, I unfortunately decided to have the machines built with Windows 7 instead of my familiar Win XP. Now, most all my software has to be replaced ...

I'm looking for a replacement for my "ancient" Photoshop Elements 3, and I don't feel like shelling out a lot of money.

Anyone have suggestions for a free or extremely replacement I can get that will work with Win 7? Any help appreciated.

Thanks, in advance.
Kirk
#cheap #editing #free #grapics #programs #win
  • Profile picture of the author ebizmom
    Hi Kirk,

    I am not sure how "extensive" a program you need, but I use GIMP at GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program and it seems to satisy my requirements when building my sites. Best of all it is FREE

    I am not sure of it's compatibilty with win 7 but the site says win xp and above so I am assuming it would be ok. No harm in checking it out though
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  • Profile picture of the author BobJutsu
    I was going to say The GIMP as well, but Mommy Dearest there beat me to it. That seems to be the going standard for freebies...if you can stand using it. Personally, I hate GIMP, and would pay almost any amount of money for my precious Photoshop and Illustrator. However, I know other folks love, love, love it, so meh, personal preference.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kirk Ward
    I've downloaded Gimp and am experimenting with it. So far it looks like it will do most all of what I need. I'm not able to do "complicated" graphics, but I have just started learning layers and I see that Gimp has that ability.

    Also found an image thingy called Inkscape. Have you tried that? Doesn't look like a lot if graphics ability, but I saw something that makes me wonder if it can be used to create fonts.

    Reason for looking for free stuff really is a rebellion against paying for something and then finding that my upgrade renders the cost a waste as the software no longer is compatible with my new operating system.
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  • Profile picture of the author PowerWealth247
    If you'd rather keep using your old software, you can simply right click on the application icon and select "properties" then go to the "compatability" tab and tell Win7 to run the program as if you still had XP (or whichever version, you'd like it to use). Then you don't need to toss those old programs. Personally I love Win 7, over XP or Vista, over OSX or Tiger, its wonderful to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author ebizmom
    haha! so true. I believe the software giants out there plan it that way, how else do they make money :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author BobJutsu
    Seriously? I've been running 7 for a long time now, and several different boxes and have never once had a computability problem. Even my 64 bit installation has very few software compatibility problems, it is windows so it has lots of other problems, but not those problems...It crashes once a day, but all the software works.

    Or, you could do yourself a huge favour and buy a Mac!

    And yeah, Inkscape is a vector drawing program, like illustrator. I have it installed on one of my *Nix boxes, but I rarely use it. Again, I would much, much rather use Illustrator, so the cost of cs4 is more than worth it too me. That is just personal preference though, you should try it, you might like it...Let us know, huh.
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  • Profile picture of the author oggobis
    Hi Kirk,

    I think you would like this.


    Cheers,
    oggobis

    Edit: I just checked it. It was free webware, now it has become paid one. Still, worth to take a look.
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  • Profile picture of the author FloridaRay
    A previous user said GIMP. I agree. Although it isn't the best. But it is cheap. Personally I use Adobe Photoshop for all my needs. It was a bit pricey. But totally worth it. You get what you pay for.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kirk Ward
      Originally Posted by FloridaRay View Post

      A previous user said GIMP. I agree. Although it isn't the best. But it is cheap. Personally I use Adobe Photoshop for all my needs. It was a bit pricey. But totally worth it. You get what you pay for.
      After playing with GIMP and Inkscape, I'm tending to lean towards Inkscape. It feels more familiar after Elements.
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      "We are not here to sell a parcel of boilers and vats, but the potentiality of growing rich beyond the dreams of avarice."

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  • Profile picture of the author JessicaD423
    Kirk,
    Have you considered installing the application through XP Mode / Virtual PC?

    Jessica
    Microsoft Windows Client Team
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    • Profile picture of the author Kirk Ward
      Originally Posted by JessicaD423 View Post

      Kirk,
      Have you considered installing the application through XP Mode / Virtual PC?

      Jessica
      Microsoft Windows Client Team
      Hi Jessica,

      Do you have a link wher I can learn more?
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      "We are not here to sell a parcel of boilers and vats, but the potentiality of growing rich beyond the dreams of avarice."

      Dr. Samuel Johnson (Presiding at the sale of Thrales brewery, London, 1781)
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    I've used a lot of different programs but I prefer Paint.net
    because it's lightweight and simple to work with.

    I have PaintShop Pro, Photoshop Elements, the GIMP, and all
    I ever use is Paint.net unless I want to figure out something
    real fancy like animation stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author CarloD.
    GIMP is Horrible IMO.....

    To be honest, there isn't really a cheap alternative... many posts about this already. Lots of people tend not to like GIMP, and almost always recommend NOT cheaping out and get photoshop.

    You can go to adobe.com and get a 30day trial I believe.

    Carlo
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