Tool List

[mss]

If you use GIMP, there is a normal map plug-in out there that does a fantastic job of creating normal maps for you. It has some good options and it hasn't crashed, yet.

http://code.google.com/p/gimp-normalmap/

[Klunk]

Photoshop CS2

http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

use the provided serial and don't register and don't update.

[ACE247]

To be honest. Who would use CS2 these days? It's a bit of a no-brainer.
Gimp 2.8+ is far better if you need a free image editor.

[Klunk]

that's right, cos who would want to have experience with the industry standard on their CV eh ?

[CuteAlien]

I think there was some news yesterday that those versions are _not_ thought as free from Adobe. They just wanted to provide those legally to users which already have a license because they disable the license server for those old versions. That unresponsible users might think just because they post that version together with serials on their website means they offer it for free has completely surprised Adobe. See for example: http://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankings ... -for-free/

Pretty stupid move by Adobe - instead of taking the free advertisment they would have gotten for that (no really professional users will use such an old version anyway), they now try some to tell people that this free version they are offering is generally illegal *sigh*.

[ACE247]

Aha, so my suspicions were correct. Thanks CuteAlien. I just hope adobe doesn't punish the poor sod who was responsible.
Actually Klunk what I meant is: If you want a free image editor, get one that really is free. And about the CV, why not be skilled in both programs? You'd be surprised about how 'standard' the industry actually is. Atleast every second day I get several files I need to convert(sometimes with command line tools). About the skills as such, my employers actually found it far more important that I could use the tools I had and deliver what was asked. Point is the old PS vs GIMP debacle is silly(Just like the Blender vs Max etc!), It's down to personal preference and the task at hand. I know guys who work with CS at work and come home to gimp and create amazing stuff with both of them. I am as happy with Gimp and Blender as I was with CS5(which I paid much $ for) and Max Student License.

[rubenwardy]

Loads of the links here are broken.

[CuteAlien]

Oh well - thread was written nearly 9 years ago :-)