open source software

[rdb]

I'm a firm believer in open source software, so I use things besides windows. I flip between Linux, and MSWinders. I stay away from the proprietary pay to play stuff.

Instead of Photoshop, I use Gimp. It's free, and it works for me.

Gimp for Windows: http://www.gimp.org/windows/

Today I downloaded a "plugin" for my gimp, called "blackink".

blackink plugin: http://registry.gimp.org/plugin?id=10239

It takes a photograph, or picture and turns it into a line drawing. Think about it! Line drawings from Pix! Instant Templates! Just turn a photo into a line drawing, put your tracing film over it, and you can carve ANYTHING into your leather.

I took my pickguard, and "blackinked" it, just to see. The pictures are down below. I just did this quick, without modifying any of the settings, and such. I'm sure with a little practice, you can really make the line drawings pop even better for tracing. What do you think? I think it's a way cool tool.

CORRECTION: Thanks to Wolvenstein, once again, I've proven myself to be a numbskull.

I installed several plugins ,and just jumped right into the ink one, only to find out, i wasn't using the one I told y'all.

I was using the one installed by this plugin:

http://registry.gimp.org/plugin?id=10042

That's the one that worked so well.

I'll update this when i figger out that "blackink" plugin.

[wolvenstien]

I have used Gimp for some time on my PCLinux box.... I did not know they had it for windoze...

Thanks

[pete]

Not literate- does this work for MacInosh OsX 10.4.10?

[rdb]

Nope..You have built in stuff on a MAC, that's probably better...I Take that back...it's more open source than I thought!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MAC Gimp:http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/

[wolvenstien]

Hey RBD, where and how do you get the plugin to work... everything I am reading says the plugin has to be an exe, not a PY..... I put it in the plugin folder, but the program does not see it...

[rdb]

close gimp

put it into:

Drive:\Program Files\GIMP-2.0\share\gimp\2.0\scripts

and restart gimp

a py is the same as an scm

[CitizenKate]

This can also be done in Photoshop, using the "Find Outline" filter. Illustrator also has a very nice feature that creates line art from imported images, and converts them to editable paths. These programs are available for Macs, but alas, they are not free.

Kate

[wolvenstien]

Do I need Python installed?

[rdb]

not that i know. It ain't installed on mine, wolvenstein.

sounds like you are overcomplicating. I just downloaded the file, put it where they told me, and it worked.

yep citizen..I used to do it in PS too, and gimp has a built in drawing plugin, but the ink one looks better, so far. I stopped using PS, along with a lot of other programs, when they decided to charge outrageous amounts of money. IPros might be forced to use it, but us goobers can do most everything we need to with open source. That makes for a lot more Sam Adams for me!!

[Jordan]

Do you happen to know if it will work with the latest itteration (sp) of Ubuntu Linux? ver.7.10 I believe. Used costly redmond behmouth microcrap for years, then found Ubuntu about a year ago and have'nt looked back

[rdb]

Jordan, just go into the synaptic package manager,under system/administration menu and choose gimp. Iit's 2.2v, but if you know your way around ububtu, you can go to gimp, and get the latest files for install (v.2.4) either way it works just fine

[Jordan]

thanks will give it a go later today.

[CitizenKate]

yep citizen..I used to do it in PS too, and gimp has a built in drawing plugin, but the ink one looks better, so far. I stopped using PS, along with a lot of other programs, when they decided to charge outrageous amounts of money. IPros might be forced to use it, but us goobers can do most everything we need to with open source. That makes for a lot more Sam Adams for me!!

I've had gimp installed on my pc for a few months now, but haven't used it much, because of all the time I spend fussing around with an unfamiliar interface trying to do things that have become second nature to me in Illustrator. But I do think Gimp is one of the most promising programs to come from the open source world.

Does this plugin convert the lines to paths? If so, I'll have to take a look at it.

Kate

[Timbo]

I don't want to rain on anybodys parade. I used to have Gimp and it did a very good job. I mean who can gripe for free?? But the one thing I did not like about it was that it automatically converted every pic and pic icon to the gimp icon and .gmp file extension. The extension created some problems, but I worked around it. After awhile I decided I didn't want it anymore..............good luck removing it. Wound up doing a wipe and reload to get rid of it completely. As long as you like it and want to keep it you'll love it. Maybe there was something I was missing, but removing the program did not remove it 100%...........maybe only 50%. For quick and easy you can't beat irfanview.

But like I said, it was a great program, but it was not for me.

Thanks,

Tim

[Jordan]

Irfanview is a great free program I had used it in ms win for many years. No linux version though.

Edited December 27, 2007 by Jordan