which photo graphics program to upgrade to?

Discussion in 'Photography, Art & Design' started by RickDawson, 10 Jul 2008.

  1. RickDawson

    RickDawson Minimodder

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    I currently have PaintShopPro 7.01 (back in the days before Corel bought Jasc)

    I want to be able to manually do some photo editing, and also use it to create web graphics.
    It would be good if I can use the vectors that are on stock photo type sites (www.istockphoto.co.uk)

    any suggestions?
     
  2. Xen0phobiak

    Xen0phobiak SMEGHEADS!

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    Have you tried the trial version of the latest photoshop elements?

    There is also the GIMP (GNU image manipulation program).
     
  3. lcdguy

    lcdguy Minimodder

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    Depend if you want a Free upgrade or a paid upgrade.

    if it's free then check out both of these

    GIMP (already mentioned)
    Paint.NET

    For paid, i strongly recommend trying out Photoshop Elements.
     
  4. RickDawson

    RickDawson Minimodder

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    I'll pay for the software

    PaintShopPro (v7.01) was mid priced when I bought it.

    I want to stick with the mid price range.
     
  5. p3ri0d

    p3ri0d What's a Dremel?

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    My 2c :

    -=FREE=-
    The GIMP (New version is coming ouit soon, looks nice from the dev)

    -=Paid=-
    I can only suggest Photoshop, as i use it for my graphics :D. But it is really expensive :S (Don't ask questions :p).

    Ahhh, Brings back memory ^^. It came with my Dell 3 years ago, it was Jasc and it made me want to do graphics and stuff. Then after a update it became Corel and i dropped it (time up) and i grabbed Photosop (CS i think? Not sure)
     
  6. sotu1

    sotu1 Ex-Modder

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    photoshop elements is a good choice all around, but doesn't really have great vector abilities on the cheap (unless you're a student using mac, CS3 for less than £300, bargain!) so on those grounds get elements for photo editing, and corel draw (has always been cheaper and pretty reliable) for vectors. dunno if freehand is anygood, but it might help
     
  7. -equilerex-

    -equilerex- What's a Dremel?

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    there isnt really much of a choise... its in my mind, the only options that come to my mind are either gimp or photoshop :blah:
    but if you "acquire" your software like me (dont ask...:worried:) then lightroom for simple photo edit (spice up the colors and all that stuff) photoshop for complex manuvers (turn cat into a bird type of photomanip and webdesign) and illustrator for vectors i guess, photoshop aint really good at that.

    all photoshop versions since 7 are essentially the same... just more features but i guess they are pretty similar to paintshoppro in therms of features (not sure about paintshop7... all ive tried is 9 and 10) so it might not be that much of an upgrade.

    my suggestion would be to go to adobe's site and download the 30 day trial (same as the real software, just with a timer) of photoshop and see if it has any improvements and then you could buy ps7 / cs /cs2 depending on your budget...


    i learn multimedia design myself, photoshop is the industry standard in image editing... cant go wrong there
     
  8. RickDawson

    RickDawson Minimodder

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    I think photoshop is just a little too high a price for me.
     
  9. -equilerex-

    -equilerex- What's a Dremel?

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    ps: cs $70
    ps cs3 $100
    http://softwaremotion.com/soft-search/?name=photoshop&x=0&y=0
    ... if you really insist on "buying" your software:lol:
    the thing with gfx programs is that when you say "image edit program" everybody thinks of photoshop... im not aware of any other payed software but paintshop that does all the tricks. but if you arent that skilled yet, you can just google for programs though... theres loads of free little gfx programs.
     
  10. RickDawson

    RickDawson Minimodder

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    I think I'll stay with PaintShopPro v7 for a while.
    It might not have the latest and greatest etc. but it does give me the functionality of being able to do work with images.

    I could really do with one that does vectors (ones that are put on istockphoto)
    I have got the trial of CorelDraw, and I like it, however the price tag is expensive at over £100
    Anybody know of any cheaper priced software?
     
  11. Jumeira_Johnny

    Jumeira_Johnny 16032 - High plains drifter

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    Do you want to sell them on istock? if so, do it right and spring for PS CS2-3. It will pay itself back in time.
     
  12. p3ri0d

    p3ri0d What's a Dremel?

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    Ilusstrator does Vectors...
    Expensive, i know :S
     
  13. cpemma

    cpemma Ecky thump

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    A site that not only sells very cheap top-brand software but also links to sister sites selling various Viagra clones... doesn't exactly inspire me with trust.

    A bit more digging reveals Russian ownership and a chequered past.
     
  14. oasked

    oasked Stuck in (better) mud

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    Give Paint.net a go. Its free and has loads of features. If you don't like it then it didn't cost you anything. :)
     
  15. supermonkey

    supermonkey Deal with it

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    Be very very careful when buying major brand-name software for dirt cheap prices. An insanely low price generally is the first indication that the software is pirated, and pirated software generally is either crippled or laden with malware of some sort. Photoshop CS3 (full version) retails in the $600 range. A markdown to $100 is almost guaranteed to cause you problems.

    If you buy a cheap version of Photoshop and it turns out to be bogus, Adobe will note the serial number and say "Sorry, sucks to be you." It will be up to you to try to get your money back, and Adobe will be glad to sell you a legitimate version.

    -monkey
     
  16. Da Dego

    Da Dego Brett Thomas

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    Naaaaah. What do you mean, "caveat emptor?" Surely, it's entirely legitimate... :duh:
     
  17. OleJ

    OleJ Me!

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    DON'T EVER pay for pirated copies. That would be an idiotic thing to do. First of all you support someone in ripping off other ppl. Secondly you give your money to who-knows and you might as well be supporting some mafia. Third it might as well be infected with loads of spyware and other nasty stuff.
    If you absolutely insist on getting pirated software go download an ISO on thepiratebay or ask a nerd of your choice.
    Don't ever friggin' give anyone money for pirating. Please! Thank you.
     
  18. RickDawson

    RickDawson Minimodder

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    I want to be able to use the vector graphics from istock / and related sites.

    I won't be wanting to sell anything, as I don't have the artistic skill.
    I can just about take something that I'm allowed to use, and manipulate it (with the right software)

    I'll never pay for something pirated/ dodgy.
    I was dubious from when that link was posted.

    Xara was mentioned to me in another forum which I use.

    I don't know why, but every time I open or import the vectors from Istockphoto, the color is not the same as what I purchased.
    any ideas why?

    This is the same problem in CorelDraw as Xara is, although they end up with different coloring
     
  19. OleJ

    OleJ Me!

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    Wasn't this asked in another thread just a few days ago? Anyways the answer is color profiles. If the picture doesn't have an embedded color profile then the different programs apply whichever they are either configured to use or default. In your browser you will also get differing results as IE has no support for color profiles, Firefox has to have it enabled, Safari has it enabled and I don't know about Opera.

    The way to get around it should be fairly easy though: open the pic in an editor, apply a profile and save it. And make sure that your editors don't override embedded profiles.
     

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