There have been countless times when designing a website or creating a video that I have needed a graphic, whether edited or created.  Fortunately, I have had access to Photoshop during those times.  But what do you do when you don’t have that expensive Adobe product?  Do you resolve to do the best you can with Paint or grab whatever will work from Google images?

We all need a graphics manipulation program at some point and I have recently found the most awesome open-source program to fill that need.  Have you ever heard of GIMP?  GIMP “is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.”  It is TOTALLY FREE and offers most, if not all, of the same features that Photoshop offers.

The interface is simple to use and the tools do exactly what you would expect.  If you have ever worked with Photoshop, you will find the learning curve for GIMP to very shallow.  I was able to use the application quickly and easily once I downloaded the app.  It works on a PC and a MAC and simply works.

Check it out and see if it doesn’t meet your graphic needs.  And it’s OPEN SOURCE!!!  I love Open Source.  Once you download it, let me know what you think of the app.  Worth the trouble of the download?

After Effects has been the standard for animation and compositing work.  Apple Motion 3 is making the process accessible and simple for all users.  When Apple finally adds 3D to the application, it will make major waves in the animation and compositing world.

To illustrate the animation tools of Motion, I have created a short animation in the spirit of Jib Jab.  It is the introduction of a fictional hunter named Blanda Bob.  By using Photoshop to create the various components, you can animate them using some very simple features built into Motion.  I hope this inspires you to take a second look at the power of Motion.