Move from Adobe Creative Cloud to GIMP

Take it out

1. 1

   Step 1

   Export the files you must open later

   From Photoshop, save a TIFF or a high-quality PNG beside the PSD. From Illustrator, save SVG and PDF. From InDesign, export PDF. From Premiere, keep the media files. The project file is the part that does not travel.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Copy the RAW originals

   Lightroom catalogs and edit history do not open in darktable. The original RAW files do. Export the edits you must keep as TIFF, and keep the RAW files.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Read Adobe's cancel page before you stop paying

   A yearly plan can charge an early termination fee. Adobe's account help is the source for that fee. This guide does not quote a number we have not checked.

Put it in

1. 1

   Step 1

   Install the app that matches the job

   GIMP for photo retouching. Krita if you paint. Inkscape for vectors. Scribus for page layout. darktable for RAW. Kdenlive for the timeline. Penpot for interface files.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Open one PSD in GIMP

   Layers often come across. Smart objects, some adjustment layers, and fancy text do not. Fix that one file before you batch anything.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Keep the Adobe export next to the new file

   The PDF, SVG, or TIFF is the reference. Compare them before you delete the Creative Cloud copy.

What you lose

• One suite

  Creative Cloud is many apps. GIMP is the photo editor. The other jobs stay on the other free apps.

• PSD, AI, and INDD as working files

  Treat those formats as a one-way export. Do not promise a round trip.

• Fonts, brushes, and plugins

  Adobe Fonts and paid plugins do not move. List the fonts in the files you still edit.