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The Book of Inkscape: The Definitive Guide to the Free Graphics Editor
Gimp 2 for Photographers: Image Editing with Open Source Software
The Essential Blender: Guide to 3D Creation with the Open Source Suite Blender
Scribus: Open-Source Desktop Publishing
Review(Product Description)
author Akkana Peck demonstrates the usage of layer masks in GIMP with a little help from Tux.
From first installation to advanced image manipulation techniques, Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional, Second Edition explains how anyone can utilize The GIMP: a free, open source image manipulation program. You will learn how to install The 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.
With four?color graphics and screenshots throughout, you’ll learn how to prepare camera images for display on web pages?including processes like rescaling, cropping, and balancing color. Utilizing layers, paths, and masks are also covered in extensive detail. Of course, you will also learn how to draw lines and shapes; utilize patterns and gradients; and even create your own brushes, patterns, and gradients.
GIMP expert and author Akkana Peck teaches you how to touch up digital photographs, smudging away blemishes, fixing red?eye, and stitching panoramic images. You’ll learn how to tap into the powerful filters, effects, and plug?ins that are available for The GIMP and automate tasks using scripts. The entire book is approached in a project?based manner, and as you progress, numerous projects will help strengthen your newly acquired abilities.
What you’ll learn
- install The GIMP on Windows, Linux, and mac OSX.
- Explore the interface and configuration options.
- Prepare your camera images for use on the Web, including rescaling, cropping, and balancing color.
- Learn basic techniques such as drawing lines and shapes, utilizing patterns, and making use of gradients.
- Master advanced techniques such as layers, paths, and masks.
- Create your own brushes, patterns, and gradients.
- Discover tricks for fixing blemishes, removing redeye, and stitching together panoramic images.
Who is this book for?
This book is for graphics designers, digital photographers, and hobbyists. It’s is aimed at those who need to utilize a full?featured image manipulation program but don’t have hundreds of dollars to pay for Photoshop. The GIMP is also the preferred image manipulation application for the open source advocate. The GIMP is available on Windows, Linux, and mac OSX.
About the Apress Beginning Series
The Beginning series from Apress is the right choice to get the information you need to land that crucial entry?level job. These books will teach you a standard and important technology from the ground up because they are explicitly designed to take you from “novice to professional.” You’ll start your journey by seeing what you need to know?but without needless theory and filler. You’ll build your skill set by learning how to put together real?world projects step by step. So whether your goal is your next career challenge or a new learning opportunity, the Beginning series from Apress will take you there?it is your trusted guide through unfamiliar territory!
Customer review 
Very helpful item for those overwhelmed with the books interface. 
(2010-08-01)
I tried using GIMP on multiple occasions but would often abandon it in favor of easier to use programs with fewer features.
This book made it easy to locate the task I wanted to do in GIMP and had great instructions on how to use it in the program.
Thanks to this book, GIMP is now the primary picture editing software I use.
Excellent! (2010-07-23)
Have always wanted to get Photoshop, but could not see spending that kind of money on something that would only get used now and then. Downloaded Gimp only to find that it is not that intuitive to use. Hence getting this manual. Excellent way to learn the program. Takes you step by step through the various options and possibilities. Only about half way through at this point and I already know how to work with layers, various brushes and their options, cropping, colors, etc. This program is far too complex to just work it out using trial and error. Peck's book gives you the map to work your way through this extensive maze. Even has partial updates that relate to the newest version of the program.
Great Book if it were Up-to-Date 
(2010-07-18)
Well written and easily understandable. This is the affordable manual so badly needed for Gimp. It is neither a tutorial or a reference, but has advantages of both. It's easy discussion style leads you through how to use Gimp, starting with the basics, and moving soon to advanced. But I have had no problem using the index to jump ahead to specific topics of interest, as the discussions made sense without reading everything in order. I feel like I will be a Gimp expert when I finish the book, but I and already getting lots of use from it in improving my digital photos.
The book is a couple of versions behind. There are a few mentions in the Appendix describing the differences in the newer versions, but the explanations are just short summaries. Most of the tools are still in the newer versions. But in newer versions (latest is 2.6.10) many tools have been relocated and can be hard to find. In fairness, with versions changing so rapidly, it would be difficult for any author or publisher to keep up. Because the book is advertised as covering version 2.6 but really doesn't, I downgraded my rating from five stars to four.
Not completely step by step but I would recommend 
(2010-07-11)
The book is frustrating as it takes you through editing a picture and then stops...
For instance masks which is probably one of the hardest things...she tells you how to work on the mask and then doesn't finish, so you are left with the mask to the side of the transparent layer and your background below that..What do I do next?
Even cropping...she did the same thing...
I bought the book because I was tired of wading through online tutorials..well I'm still having to do that because she leaves me hanging. She does a great job if she would just finish the steps.
I give 3 stars because I'm glad I have the book...because when you are drowning in frustation, you need something to hold onto.
A Must have!!! (2010-05-22)
If you use gimp, this is a must have. It covers basic stuff all the way to advance. Add that with the fact that gimp is FREE, and you just can't beat it!!!