When looking for Photoshop alternatives, Photopea and GIMP are probably the two options you’ll come across most of the time. Both are powerful and capable, but they’re not built the same. So if you find yourself stuck between GIMP and Photopea, it’s worth comparing their strengths and weaknesses to figure out which one is best for your project’s needs. Here, I’m going to focus on the ways Photopea steps up where GIMP tends to stumble.
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Smart Object support
Easily edit files with Smart Objects
Photopea supports Smart Objects in the same way as Photoshop. You can import any PSD file with Smart Objects and click on the layers to edit embedded objects. This is a game-changer if you care about non-destructive editing and something that not many free editing tools offer.
GIMP, by contrast, doesn’t natively support Smart Objects. When you open a file with Smart Objects, they’re usually converted into simple layers, so you’re not able to edit non-destructively. You can try to simulate Smart Object support with linked layers or plugins, but it’s not nearly as seamless, so I just skipped the effort and used Photopea instead.
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5
PSD file compatibility
Preserves PSD details better
Photopea opens and saves PSD files seamlessly, keeping everything intact, such as layers, effects, and editable text. You can open a Photoshop project directly in the software without a hitch, which is perfect for those thinking of switching from Photoshop to a free alternative; you don’t have to lose any of your work.
GIMP does support PSD files, but it doesn’t handle them as smoothly. There are some features of the PSD format that it doesn’t support, such as Photoshop’s adjustment layers and layer styles. It will probably need to rasterize and flatten the layers in order to read them, which means you lose a lot of detail and applied settings. So when you open a PSD file in GIMP, be prepared for a frustrating editing experience.
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Better text handling
Creating and editing text is more seamless
In Photopea, you can create and edit text directly on the canvas where the changes will appear in real-time. And just like in Photoshop, you’ve got the text tools in the top toolbar and an optional Character panel on the side. Creating text in GIMP is a bit more of a hassle, and I’m not the only user who feels like its text handling isn’t the smoothest experience…
You’ve got your usual tool adjustments in the side panel, but what bothers me is the little pop-up that appears whenever you create text. It lets you change the character style and size, but not the font, despite displaying the font name. Dragging the handlebars also doesn’t change the text size like in Photopea, so you have to painstakingly change the size value manually.
Overall, Photopea’s text handling just feels smoother, and it integrates better with other design elements.
3
Vector editing
You can actually open and edit vector files
Photopea functions as a vector editor, to an extent. I can import and export my .ai and .svg files without any issues, and it will display all of the layers onto which I can apply basic transformations. But it doesn’t let you edit the layers using image adjustment tools or filters, so its vector abilities are still limited. However, this is better than I can say for Photoshop, which outright rasterizes any vector files you import.
GIMP doesn’t rasterize the vector files you import, but it does merge the layers, rendering the vector layers uneditable. Photopea beats both Photoshop and GIMP in this area. However, I still recommend using a dedicated vector editor for your vector files, such as Illustrator or an open-source alternative like Inkscape.
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Content-Aware Fill
Photopea has Content-Aware Fill built in
Photopea includes a Content-Aware Fill tool, which works similarly to Photoshop’s. It’s a very handy tool for removing unwanted objects, automatically filling in the gaps with the surrounding pixels. GIMP doesn’t have a content-aware feature built-in, you have to get the Resynthesizer plugin to get that functionality. It works well, but requires a bit more manual effort and isn’t as seamlessly integrated into GIMP’s workflow.
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Browser-based
No powerful hardware required
Photopea runs completely in-browser, which is always a plus in my books. Cost isn’t the only thing that makes a tool accessible — it’s also about how you access it in the first place. Although GIMP is more lightweight than Photoshop, it still has a sizable installation package. In contrast, all you need to use Photopea is an internet connection, regardless of whether you’re on a high-end PC, an old laptop, or even a Chromebook.
This makes Photopea more accessible to those with modest hardware. You also skip the download-and-install process, so you’re not tied to the device it’s installed on.
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Photopea takes the lead
Photopea outshines and outperforms GIMP in several key areas. If you’re looking for a Photoshop alternative with similar functionality, then I couldn’t recommend Photopea enough; it was specifically built to mimic Photoshop. GIMP is a powerful tool in its own right, but it does lack some key features a photographer or designer may need.
#ways #Photopea #outperforms #GIMP
source: https://www.xda-developers.com/ways-photopea-outperforms-gimp/
