Re: [CinePaint] Where can I look for help in learning Cinepaint?

On Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:49:03 -0400
John Calloway <[email protected]> wrote:

> 
> In any event, I am most excited at the prospect of learning this
> application.  I spent a couple years in the fog as I labored to get a
> handle on the Gimp.  I'm guessing that making the move to Cinepaint
> should be somewhat less painful, but, regardless, I have the tenacity
> to stay with it until I am comfortable with the application.
> 

The goal is not to learn a certain brand of software; the goal
is to learn image processing.  Once the basic concepts of digital
image processing are firmly understood, then any software package
that deals with images can be quickly mastered.  After all, they
are all the same.

I stress this point because it is a common misconception that,
somehow, image processing software differs completely from one
brand to  another.  But this is nonsense.  The only difference
may be the menu sequence that is used to invoke a certain operation,
but that is a totally insignificant detail.

To use an analogy, one learns only to drive a car.  One does not
learn to drive a Ford or a Toyota or a Volkswagen.  The same idea
applies to image processing software.

So, the primary task is to become thoroughly familiar with all
image processing theory.  Once this is accomplished, the use of
any image processing software becomes trivial.

Fortunately, the Internet has many web sites that are devoted to
the techniques and theory of image processing.  Use any of these
sites as a starting point for study.

> At this time, my interest is in using Cinepaint to manipulate photos.
> 

Cinepaint is a good choice because of its 16-bit capabilities.
With my Nikon SLR, I get results that are certainly as good as 
with Photoshop.  But, for digital photography, the results will
depend on the availability of a suitable color profile.  If your
camera manufacturer provides profiles that are publicly accessible,
then you should have no problem.

Frank Peters

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