*ahem* Yo.

[PeaceHeather]

Yes, I've looked at GIMP before, but it mostly makes my brain hurt. A lot of the apps I've looked at do many of the same things, so the only change is in figuring out where to look and what steps to take.

I didn't actually have a map in reserve here, I just like maps. The last one I actually finished, I was probably 10.

Paint.NET gets updated pretty frequently, and supports user-made tools and plugins. I'm going to run through one of the tutorials on this site and see how well they translate over, but I'm guessing the answer will be "pretty good".

Cheers!

[Gamerprinter]

I know how you feel, I'm not really a GIMPer myself, however, regarding how looking at it makes your head hurt (I know how you feel) - I know that RobA's "Create a not-so-random Coastline" tutorial for GIMP is one of the best GIMP tutorials for any graphic need, and that tutorial can really give you a head's up on the various tools, menus and techniques using GIMP.

Since GIMP is free, and so is RobA's tutorial, I think it would behoove you to try, at least. You'd be surprised at how "un-head-hurting" it can be! You'll learn so much, you won't even notice how many other buttons and features you haven't tried.

Me, I avoid anything that says "Microsoft" with a wide berth, as a graphic artist, I think Microsoft should stay in the OS and Browser market (X-box too) and avoid the idea they are actually a software developer, which I think they are a poor one for that. Look at Publisher, its one of the worst conceived graphics apps in existence and no professional would ever touch it.

Just my 2 cents!

GP