Freeware Image Editors

[woody649]

I think I have hit the wall with respect to how much I can realistically get done using Microsoft Windows Paint. I need something more, but I can't afford Photoshop.

I tried Gimp some time ago and I found it to be ... confounding. I know from reading reviews that Gimp rivals Photoshop in power ... but that's only if you know how to use it (which I don't).

I keep reading that Paint.net is a freeware replacement for Paint, but significantly more powerful. Has anyone here used it? I need something. I want to download and install either Gimp or paint.net, and I would prefer to not do one, waste a bunch of time trying to learn it, and find that I just can't get along with it. After my previous try with Gimp, I'm a but gun shy about any of them.

I would appreciate comments from anyone who has used either Gimp or Paint.net -- or, better yet, anyone who has experience using both and who can offer a comparison.

Thank you.