GIMP Basics Guide Explains Free Editing and Differences From Photoshop

What Is GIMP

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is an open-source image editor released in 1996. It is free of charge and can be used commercially. The supported operating systems are Windows, macOS, and Linux. The official distribution source is the official GIMP website (https://www.gimp.org). It is used for photo retouching and compositing, banner creation, and editing images for the web. Development is continued by volunteers and donations. The official GIMP documentation (https://www.gimp.org/docs/) lists features and procedures.

Installation and Initial Setup

It is safest to obtain it only from the official website. Third-party distributions may include modified versions bundled with ads. For the Windows version, it is safest to choose the stable 64-bit version. For the macOS version, use the signed dmg. On first launch, set the language and working folders. The recommended initial settings are as follows.

• Increase the number of undo steps to about 50
• Enable pen pressure for tablet input
• Keep the default save format as XCF
• Fix the export destination folder XCF is GIMP’s native format that preserves layer information. Saving as JPEG or PNG is handled as an export operation.

Interface Layout and Basic Concepts

The GIMP interface consists of three areas. The toolbox and tool options are placed on the left. The image window is placed in the center. The dock containing layers and brushes is placed on the right. Single-window mode is the default, making it easy to switch between multiple images. Resolution and image dimensions are treated as separate concepts. Resolution indicates density for printing. Image dimensions indicate the pixel count itself. For web use, pixel count matters more than 72 to 144 dpi. For print use, around 300 dpi needs to be secured.

Basic Operations:

Opening, Cropping, and Transforming

To open an image, drag and drop it or use the File menu. There are two cropping methods: rectangle selection and the crop tool. Rectangle selection allows a fixed aspect ratio and is suitable for specifying 16:9 or 1:1. The crop tool makes fine adjustment easy after confirming the area. For scaling, distinguish between scaling the image and scaling a layer. To change the entire image, use the Image menu. To change only a specific asset, use layer transform. To maintain the aspect ratio, enable the chain-link indicator. Check the interpolation method before confirming a transform. For photos, cubic interpolation rarely breaks down, while for line art, linear interpolation rarely breaks down.

Basic Operations:

Color Correction, Text, and Exporting

The starting point for color correction is brightness and contrast. Next, use Levels to fix blown-out highlights and crushed blacks. If there is a color cast, use white balance adjustment. Raising saturation too much will lose tonal gradation. To add text, draw a box with the Text tool and type. If Japanese input cannot be confirmed, try half-width alphanumeric characters first. Input method problems can often be resolved by switching input on the OS side. If the desired typeface is not in the font list, install the font on the OS. Exporting is a separate operation from overwriting via the File menu. For web publishing, choose PNG or JPEG. PNG is suitable for graphics that require transparency. For photos, JPEG at around quality 85 offers a good balance of file size and image quality.

Understanding Layers and Masks

Layers work by stacking transparent sheets. Separating the background, people, and text into different layers makes revisions easier. A layer mask hides areas without erasing them. Areas painted black become hidden, and areas painted white become visible. Feathering the edges creates a natural composite. Make adjustments with masks and duplicate layers rather than painting directly. It is safest to duplicate the original image layer and keep it hidden. In production, the following naming is effective for handover.

• 00_source_do-not-touch
• 10_correction_levels
• 20_composite_person
• 30_text_headline Relying only on history causes intent to be lost during re-editing.

Differences From Photoshop

The pricing model is fundamentally different. GIMP is free with no limit on the number of installations. Photoshop is subscription-based, as stated on the official Adobe page (https://www.adobe.com/jp/products/photoshop.html). The functional differences can be summarized as follows.

• Color modes: GIMP is RGB-centered, while Photoshop is strong in CMYK and spot colors
• File compatibility: PSD files can be opened, but effect reproduction is incomplete
• Automation: Photoshop actions and scripts are more mature
• Generative AI: Photoshop’s Generative Fill is at a production-ready stage
• Print integration: print shop submission requirements often assume Photoshop GIMP’s advantages are its low barrier to entry and light weight. It runs even on older computers and works entirely on Linux. Photoshop’s advantage is consistency with the print workflow. Adobe Help (https://helpx.adobe.com/jp/photoshop/using/) details color management procedures.

Choosing the Right Tool and Tasks to Avoid

The tasks suited to GIMP are clear. It is suitable for cropping and retouching images for blogs. It is suitable for mass-producing header images for social media. It is suitable for adding annotations to screenshots. It is suitable for simply creating transparent PNG assets. The tasks not suited to GIMP are also clear. It is not suitable for CMYK submission for commercial printing. It is not suitable for passing PSD files back and forth among many people. For automated processing of hundreds of images, dedicated tools are appropriate. In our own evaluation, we judge it safer to use Photoshop for final submission of client work. GIMP is often sufficient for in-house assets for our own media. A realistic workflow is to use both, managing originals separately in XCF and PSD.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Confusing saving with exporting is the most common mistake. Saving only as XCF will not display on the web. Always export for publishing. Coarse text is also a common failure. Drawing small text directly on a low-resolution image degrades it. Create at high resolution and downscale on export. Text shifts when receiving PSD files are also common. They are caused by missing fonts or unsupported effects. When receiving files, it is safest to also request a version with settings rasterized. If performance is slow, review the history size and display magnification. Reducing the number of undo steps is effective in limiting memory consumption.

Editorial Opinion

The editorial team believes ease of handover for a project should be prioritized over cost. It is reasonable to choose based on PSD fidelity and whether CMYK support is required. The conclusion changes depending on whether the work is solo or collaborative. Deciding on price difference alone will cause rework.

The pitfall lies in outdated Japanese information. Version 2.10 and version 3.0 differ in their operating systems. Referring to old manuals will make settings hard to find. Failing to check where initial settings are saved will cause confusion during migration.

Browser-based editors will increasingly be used for different purposes. GIMP will remain for bulk processing and precise compositing. Generative AI integration will likely center on combinations with external tools. Learning the basic operations will not be wasted.

References

• Official GIMP Documentation
• Official GIMP Downloads
• Official Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Photoshop Help