OpenSource & other alternatives
Comments(0) I guess it wasn’t mentioned in my job description but among my regular duties I’ve been tasked to search for opensource/freeware/cheap alternatives to common windows based tools used for video & photo editing, 3D modelling, DTP etc. that are a part of the usual software porftolio in a design studio (web/print/video/whatever).
I found some interesting options that might be of use to someone but to be honest from the start – although many of these are actually quite capable I’ve found a number of missing features that would be a deal braker for my personal use. But if you’re just starting out or are on a serious budget or there are some specific circumstances (that’s why I’ve been researching this in the first place) then these should do just fine.
Just one more thing… some of these might not be free but cost considerably less than the industry standard.
sound editing:
3D graphics:
Photo editing:
- GIMP
- GIMPShop (GIMP offspring that looks like Photoshop)
- CinePaint (GIMP offspring for the film industry with some specific features)
- Picture Window Pro ($90)
- Photoshop Elements 6 ($100)
Vector graphics:
Non linear video editing:
- Jahshaka (free, latest release oct 06)
- ZS4 (free, latest release feb 07)
- Cinerella (free but only available on Linux)
- Adobe Premiere Elements 4 ($99)
- Pinnacle Studio Plus ($99)
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate ($130)
- Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum ($120)
- Avid Xpress Pro Academic ($295)
- ULEAD Media Studio Pro ($400)
Desktop Publishing:
- Scribus
- QuarkXpress ($195)
As I said… I’m not switching completely but these might be very attractive to some.
