Free/Open Source Image Editor- GIMP
One of my dreams is to master or- at least having a working knowledge of how to use Photoshop. I have tried using several tutorials- including the excellent “Lynda” series. But I just can’t get it. I can follow step-by-step directions on how to do pretty much do anything using step by step intructions but to do it on-the-fly is above my abilities.
The software I use is called MicroGrafx Picture Publisher. The program came on a CD that I got with my first scanner- in 1996!.
It is with great shock when I write this and realize that I am using a piece of software from 1996 that is almost 12 years old. Gosh- does that make me feel old. It does what I need it to do.. most of the time.
I have been looking for FREE alternatives and found one called GIMP. I tree to make suggestions that anyone can do with little or no experience and little or no money- using free stuff whenever,.
I am all about free anything and open everything and this is an Open Source project. I found it looking for a tutorial on how to make rounded corner buttons. They look much slicker and more *web 2.0* then plain old square corners.
Make Rounded Corners On Your Buttons
The tutorial for making rounded corners is here: Gimp Tutorial
I am using the rounded corner images for ads and “Your Ad Here’ type buttons on some of my blogs. They are also good to make buttons to some of your “best” work posts or more popular posts, rather than just using text links which can get over looked.
I keep my buttons simple and not too jazzy mostly because of my limited abilities. if this is something you are good at- go for it.
Hey don’t knock 12 year software
haha j/k…funny how some programs still are useful but this is a nice way to catch up to the times like you said..plus it’s free. I would like to get better with photo shop as well and will check this out.