Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional (Beginning from Novice to Professional) [Paperback]

Akkana Peck (Author)

Book Description

Series: Beginning from Novice to Professional | Publication Date: May 1, 2006

Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional explains how to use the open source image manipulation program, GIMP version 2.4. You’ll learn how to install GIMP on Windows, Linux, and MacOS X platforms. Once you’ve installed the application, you’ll learn about the interface and configuration options, and then jump into a quick–and–simple project to familiarize yourself even further.

With four–color graphics and screenshots throughout, you’ll learn how to prepare camera images for display on web pagesincluding functions like rescaling, cropping, and balancing color. The book also explains with great detail how to utilize layers, paths, and masks. You’ll also learn how to draw lines and shapes, use patterns and gradients, and even create your own brushes, patterns, and gradients.

Touch–ups are covered thoroughly: how to smudge away blemishes, fix red–eye, and stitch panoramic images. You’ll even learn how to tap into the powerful filters, effects, and plug–ins that are available and automate tasks using scripts. The entire book is laid out in a project–based manner, so as you progress through it, numerous projects help solidify your newly acquired abilities.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Akkana Peck is a freelance software developer and writer who has been working with open source software for nearly 20 years. She has worked for a diverse collection of companies including Netscape, Silicon Graphics, Sun Technologies, Hewlett Packard, and Apple, and has written imaging software ranging from GIMP plug-ins, to cartography, to scientific visualization. Akkana is a longtime member of the GIMP community and enjoys giving GIMP courses and presentations, as well as filling up her hard drive with digital images. She lives in San Jose, California with her husband and a motley assortment of old computers. You can find more of her musings at ShallowSky.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 552 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1 edition (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590595874
• ISBN-13: 978-1590595879
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #404,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally, an updated guide! well-done!, July 17, 2006

By 

Robert Nagle "idiotprogrammer" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional (Beginning from Novice to Professional) (Paperback)

I've been reading and using this book for a few weeks. It's great!

The open source community needed an updated gimp book. Gimp is already a mature open source project, and the two books that came out a few years ago were long outdated.

The best thing about the book is the generous use of images to illustrate her points.. APress did a fantastic job with layout and making it easy to find things.

I appreciate how the book reviewed a few basic points with general information. In short, this book has a little bit for everybody.

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!, August 9, 2006

By 

Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional (Beginning from Novice to Professional) (Paperback)

I'm the first to admit that my graphical skills are limited. I have a version of PaintShop Pro that's a few revs out of date, and it does just what I need it to do... crop images, circle items of note, and erase the stray word or two. I've downloaded GIMP before, but I just don't have the time or motivation to explore all the options it appears to have. But after reading Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional by Akkana Peck, I think I'm about to make the switch to GIMP, and to make it permanently. This is a really well-done book...

Contents: Get to Know the GIMP; Improving Digital Photos; Introduction to Layers; Drawing; Selection; Erasing and Touching Up; Filters and Effects; Color Manipulation, Channels, and Layer Modes; Advanced Drawing; Advanced Compositing; Plug-Ins and Scripting; Additional Topics; Getting and Installing the GIMP; Installing the GIMP on Windows; Installing the GIMP on Mac; Installing the GIMP on Linux or Unix; Building From Source; First Startup; Index

Peck has tried to create a book that allows graphical neophytes like me to figure out what's going on, while also including material for those who have been doing this awhile. She definitely hits the first mark, and I think she nails the second one, also. The book starts with the basic of the GIMP interface, with an abundance of screen shots and images to illustrate the points. Even someone like me can easily see what's possible with the software, and I was able to quickly find and focus on the few tasks I do often with my existing software. I normally start to zone out when books start to head into the layers and color manipulation area, because I've never had much luck when it comes to that. But the author actually had me fishing out a few digital photos to try some things. I can even start to fix some of my good photos that were a victim of the demon red-eye effects... :)

Bottom line... My old PaintShop Pro is now on the way out, as well as my out-of-date book on it. GIMP's getting loaded on all the PCs, and with the help of this book, I might even become... <gasp!> GRAPHICALLY CREATIVE!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book can turn anyone into a graphic artist!, June 27, 2006

By 

Chad Smith "Tech Dude" (Saint Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional (Beginning from Novice to Professional) (Paperback)

Akkana Peck has written a very thorough introduction to the GIMP. In fact, I'd call it more of a definitive guide than just an introduction. This book is great for the completely new user, but even the seasoned veteran can learn quite a bit from "Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional".

Covering everything from where to get and how to install the GIMP to how to use the powerful built-in scripting language Script-Fu, which allows users to use and program scripts for repeatable actions, like adding bevel or glass effects. Despite its thoroughness - it's written in a easy-to-understand way that anyone can benefit from.

You can learn more about this awesome book on Akkana's website - GIMPBook.com.

All this and the software (GIMP) is free for Windows, Mac, Unix, or Linux!