Raphaël's GIMP Page

The GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an excellent tool for creating and editing images. The GIMP is free software and it runs on almost all UNIX operating systems (Linux, Solaris, IRIX, ...). Since its source code is freely available, it has also been ported to other operating systems such as as Windows and MacOS X.

Its power (and complexity) is often compared to other well-known programs such as Adobe Photoshop or JASC Paint Shop Pro. It can easily be extended by plug-ins or scripts and you can find many of them (as well as new brushes, gradients, patterns and other useful stuff) on several web sites. The current stable release of the GIMP is version 1.2, but the next version is already actively under development. Take a look at the GIMP home page for more information.

I have made several small contributions to the GIMP: besides various minor patches, I wrote the original code that saves your preferences to a file (it is being rewritten for gimp-1.4) and the Tip of The Day dialog. I also modified several scripts to add the "Alpha to Logo" feature. Currently, I am keeping an eye on the GIMP bugs and I try to sort and respond to the bug reports that are submitted to the database. I am also the temporary maintainer of the official GIMP web site until the new design is ready.

All images that you see on this site were created or edited with the GIMP.

GIMP scripts

• Merge-anim is a script that can be used to merge the background or top layer of an image with all other layers, while applying some optional effects such as translation, varying transparency, ... This is useful if you want to create an animation quickly or if you want to add some new elements to an existing animation. You can download it and see its documentation on a separate page.
• Alien-neon-logo creates several fading outlines around a text. This script is now included in the GIMP distribution.

GIMP newsgroup

Some time ago, I wrote the RFD (Request For Discussion) proposing the creation of a GIMP newsgroup named comp.graphics.apps.gimp. After a period of discussion, the group passed the Usenet vote successfully and was officially created in October 1998. When I have some time, I will write something about the history of the RFD, the creation of the group and its current status...