Cropping photos (Astronomy, Graphics & Video Software [WAS: VMWare / Wine))

[Patton Echols]

On 02/24/2007 02:15 PM, NoOp wrote:
> On 02/24/2007 10:13 AM, Eric Dunbar wrote:
>   
>> On 23/02/07, Tommy Trussell <tommy.trussell at gmail.com> wrote:
>>     
>
>   
>>>> HP PhotoDelux (like Photoshop Lite) -- Yes, yes, I know that the Gimp is
>>>> supposed to be great - and I am determined to spend the time to figure
>>>> it out if I can, (especially since Photodelux is on the home desktop and
>>>> not the lappy where it belongs.) But it seems to me that the interfaces
>>>> are completely non intuitive.  Just trying to crop a picture left me
>>>> pulling hair out, let alone trying to get a layer to act as advertised . . .
>>>>         
>
> You can run PhotoDelux under WINE. Or, if you want something very simple
> install Google's Picasa:
> http://picasa.google.com/linux/
>
>   
>>> If all you need to do is resize, crop, simple color adjust, etc., then
>>> the gThumb image viewer that comes with Ubuntu ought to do what you
>>> want. It's pretty straightforward. Just right-click on an image and
>>> choose "Open With ...--> gThumb Image Viewer"
>>>       
>
> That works - Picasa is a little easier & userfriendly. For any real
> photo work I prefer Gimp.
>   

Yes, that's what folks keep saying.  But did you find the learning curve 
steep?  I confess that the only thing I have tried with my linux install 
is a simple crop.  It took three tries to get an even psuedo-acceptable 
result, I finally figured out that you can't "select" an area and then 
crop the selection; you have to use the crop tool, then navigate past 
the unexpected and counterproductive behavior.  My other Gimp experience 
is with an install under WinXp.  Very very frustrating.  I never figured 
out how to do anything at all with a "selection" except "cut" and then 
once you have selected something that selection drawing just stays there 
forever . . . <sigh>  But then this is a conversation for a Gimp forum, 
not here  (but thanks for letting me "vent.")