GIMP Bridge
thomvinson
Posts: 79
We have GoZ and PhotoShop bridges, but those are both pay to play, GIMP is free, just like Daz Studio, so why not a GIMP bridge?
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Comments
+1
Agreed. I tried Photoshop but, honestly, I prefer GIMP. (For one thing, it loads in non-glacial timeframes)
Full Disclosure: I use GIMP because it's free, which fits nicely in my price range. I recently got Blacksmith3D on a lark to help with seams. I'm also a noob.
There was a (useless) thread on this a while back ( http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/22377/gimp-plugin ).The main argument seemed to be: "Why would you use GIMP when Photoshop and GoZ are true 3D paint programs." Photoshop and GoZ (along with Blacksmith3D) allow you to paint and texture the model itself, turning it around to look at different angles and painting across UV seems. Obviously price, and familiarity with the software are why I use GIMP.
The more practical reason seems to be a difference in the way they work. My workflow for GIMP is:
The Export and Refresh steps are where it gets complicated. Until you Export in GIMP the file, the work is only in memory. Does GIMP have a way to send that data someplace outside of GIMP? I know GIMP has a (scripting?) language, but will it allow that kind of transfer? Obviously DAZ can import and update the images.
If anyone familiar with the inner workings of GIMP has any info, I'd appreciate it. I'd still buy a GIMP plugin for Daz since I hate having to Export -> Alt+Tab -> Refresh Images.
One tip for others: If you have a programmable mouse/keyboard/graphics tablet/etc. you can make a macro with a few delays in them to simplify it a bit. I have a a few Razer products all of which have macro keys. I have one key on my keyboard programmed to Ctrl+E, Pause for 4 seconds, Alt+Tab, Pause for 1 second, Ctrl+I. It works, up to a point.
Side question: What would we want from a GIMP: bridge? Just a one-click solution for the transfer section? Maybe somthing that auto sends a draft quality 3DLight or OpenGL render back to GIMP so we don't have to switch apps?
I would like to be able to go into the editor on the surface tab and select-click send a map to GIMP to modify, and then from GIMP send the modified and renamed map back to DAZ and the folder it came from so that it could be selected and loaded from the editor. The real booger for me about trying to modify these things is tracking them down and then putting them back where they belong. The same proccess could be used for LIE decals for tattoos or wounds and blood splatter, whatever your needs, it has to be a lot easier that using Windows File Explorer to try to hunt down the ones you need. And saving as one thing then exporting as another is really a pain in the butt, a GIMP bridge would automatically export it as you needed it to be. Additionally, it would be nice to be able to send a whole render to GIMP for postwork, with just a single click.
I actually recently got Photoshop, tried it out for a day, and didn't like it, refund.
Seriously, GIMP takes maybe 10 seconds to load up, which is a little slower than I'd like. Photoshop... holy cr*. Like 2-4 minutes to load the thing, and sluggish as heck.
There's something to be said for using smaller, leaner, more focused applications.
Agreed!
I tried Photoshop as well but preferred GIMP. There were too many bells and whistles that I didn't need or want. Photoshop's advantage is that all digital art students are taught on it so they are indoctrinated into using it.
+1
While we're at it, how about one for blender, as it's much the same situation as with Photoshop/zBrush and their respective plugins.
+1
Especially on Blender.
For those who use Blender...have you seen this?
http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/comment/965948/
No, it's not quite a bridge, but it shows that a full bridge is possible. Yes, it would be a bit of work, but...
All for the GIMP and Blender bridges... but don't leave me out I'm a PaintShop Pro user. Also have Photoshop CS2, refusing to upgrade, a long time Carrara user and just recently Blacksmith3D.
Will, agree with you on quick loading low overhead programs. Been awhile having GIMP installed... will have to grab the latest version tonight. Regarding PaintShop: having the lastest version I usually use a much older version simply because it loads faster.
I still of rare occasions use Painshop Pro 7; still installs and works without issues - although it complains after the install. Dont have to run in compatability mode either.
Why is there no Gimp Bridge to DAZ ? Drives me mad, Photoshop is for those who have to much money to waist Z brush is to dear please Help
+1 for a GIMP bridge or a Paint.net bridge
I use photoshop at work on a 4 year old iMac but also at home on my somewhat decent but nothing special PC and in both cases it loads almost instantly (in seconds) so Im not sure what your issue could be, especially if you have no issues with the daz viewport. If it actually took minutes to load, I and most everyone else would not use it I imagine. I mention this only to suggest that perhaps your experience is not typical.
Full disclosure - I use PS (since PS 4.0) because it was (is) the industry standard and if you want a job working for someone else in their office on their equipment with their software then that is likely what you would be required to know. PS definitely has a learning curve but I humbly suggest that the exact same thing is true for GIMP. I tried GIMP (free photoshop?!?! awesome, sign me up!) and I could not get into it, seemed as if everything I wanted to do required several more steps and things like anchoring layers and whatnot... I eventually gave up and decided to stick with PS for home use as well (after more than a day, but still, ran back to PS and gave my layers pallete a hug, I'll never leave you again baby...).
Having said that, a GIMP bridge does seem like an obvious thing that should be but isnt. A quick glance at the googles says this is something that people have been asking for some 4 years now at least.
For your purposes you probably just want to go with the latest Photoshop Elements, although it lists for more at the Adobe site it's always at retail at Amazon and other places for $70 - $80.
That mainly for to be able to use some PS plugins and filters they have that they bundle over and above what Gimp offers. Of course if you like Gimp for doing what you do and Gimp can do it, it's free and always improving too.
I still have PS Elements 9 that came with the Bamboo Create that I bought that I never use,
, drawing on plastic is icky. Oh well maybe this year, after I finish the remodeling.
Honestly, I use Gimp more but not alot, if I even do the make an original DAZ character texture set tutorials that will change, but DAZ, 3DU, and other PAs have done a good enough job that i'm not in a hurry to try.
I do plan on scanning a bunch of old photo negatives I have and old pictures and for that Photoshop Elements or a PS subscription is the way to go for sure because you can create a photo album, photo catalogue, and put it to print or DVD.
Waiting for the Gimp Bridge.