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Hi Bob, This is one time when I think spending extra money to get Photoshop would be well worth it. First, it is the industry standard for photo editing and has been around a long time. Adobe has been very innovative with this program and adapts it yearly to fit the trends of designers (such as the trend towards Internet needs). There are dozens/hundreds of Inernet sites dedicated to Photoshop techniques, tips, and bulliten boards to help you out if needed. Almost all third party filters are written specifically to work with Photoshop--based on the huge pre-existing customer base of the product. There are numerous Photoshop training tapes from a variety of vendors, plus many books on the subject. Lastly, Photoshop is relatively integrated with Illustrator and many of the commands are the same, helping you learn and remember both programs easier.
With all that being said, I don't really see there is a choice here.
-------------------- Mike Jackson Golden Era Studios Jackson Hole, Wy www.goldenstudios.com/ Posts: 390 | From: PO Box 7850 | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Bob, I'm with Mike on this one. I've spent a great deal of time checking out web sites that offer free "How-To" articles, personal action, and brush sets, etc... and they realy do out number those that can be found for the other programs you mentioned. The one key feature that Mike touched on, was the fact that PhotoShop is an industry standard which means it is always being stream lined for efficiancy. While I have Photo Paint as well, and it will do a great deal, it's no were near as efficiant as PhotoShop. I do a lot of my digital printing to my Roland PC-600 right from PhotoShop. Don't let the initial price set you back cause it is well worth it in the long run. PhotoShop 7 is the latest and in my opinion it is well worth the cost. Lastly, Adobe has a small program called Streem Line that converts bitmap images and scanned images to vector art and it realy puts anything I've ever used, including SignLab to shame when it comes to this function. Robin
-------------------- Robin Sharrard Sharrard Graphics & Sign Fallon, Nevada rds@phonewave.net "Proud $$$ Supporter" Posts: 282 | From: Fallon, Nevda, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I myself like Microsoft Paint and it comes free with Windows. The ability to draw, paint in many colors is a welcome addition to us graphic artists. Also, now you can edit jpegs with the new version. I am currently hoping a plug-in will become available to cut directly to my plotter. Sheesh, what more could you want with that setup?
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2787 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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PaintShop Pro is good for an ameteur or a newbie, which is why it carries an ameteur price..
But Photoshop is for the PRO's!
As far as PhotoPaint, I've heard some people say they'd never go back to using Photoshop after trying out PhotoPaint, although I just don't see it.. Then again, it's probably just a case of being a long time Photoshop user and being really used to the program.
I wouldnt consider using PaintShop Pro though.. not that it's a bad program (it was my first photo editing program years ago when the developers weren't charging one red cent for it) it's just not as complete as Photoshop.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I can't believe that I'm about to offer a counterpoint to the legendary Mike Jackson .
For the most bang for your buck, you really can't beat Photopaint. It comes as part of the Corel suite and thus integrates with CorelDraw! much the same as Photoshop integrates with Illustrator.
As far as functionality goes, I'm fairly certain that you can accomplish anything with Photopaint that you can with Photoshop (I do use both programs on a regular basis by the by). Though the GUI is different both programs contain virtually the same functions, albeit with different names and locations within the interface. Also, all of my Photoshop filters have plugged into Photopaint with narry a hitch.
The only problem I've ever with the Corel package is it's quirkyness when exporting CorelDraw! files with special effects or crazy custom gradients for output by a printhouse. So If all of your work stays in house and cash is a concern, I think Corel is the way to go.
[ July 09, 2002, 12:12 PM: Message edited by: Jonathan Androsky ]
-------------------- Jon Androsky Posts: 438 | From: Williamsport, PA | Registered: Mar 2002
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I agree that Photoshop is the standard in Photo editing, but if you are keepng you files to just your use (not outputting to print) then Paint Shop pro or Photopaint will do, I started with Photopaint/Corel Draw, but now use Illustrator/Photoshop exclusively, though I also do print work and very large format design work where I need the best program. I also use Illustrator and the integration is great between the two, in my line of work absolutely no one uses anything else but Photoshop. Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1540 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Heres my take on it. I have all 3 and Paint Shop Pro does a LOT of the stuff that the others will do BUT it does not offer the pre press stuff that PhotoShop or Photo Paint/CorelDraw does so it is limited to home use mainly. Photoshop does everything you could possibly need in digital imaging with bmp. type stuff BUT so does PhotoPaint AND PhotoPaint comes packaged with CorelDraw which does everything you could possibly need to do in VectorGraphics, something us sign makers need and something PhotoShop doesn't. I still use Photoshop 5 and I know that they have added some vector features to PhotoShop BUT they still are nothing sompared to CorelDraw. When you are using either CorelDraw or PhotoPaint, you can take an image and edit it either program right there an the spot. SO what does all this boil down to? As sign makers since we use vector graphics a lot I would go with the CorelDraw/PhotoPaint duo for roughly the same price as Photoshop which lacks the Vector stuff we use. At least thats my redneck take on it. To get the same kind package with Adobe stuff, you have to get the Illustrator, Photoshop, and ? else I can't remember which one, oh well but it is $999, and it'll do roughly the same thing as CorelDraw suite.
[ July 09, 2002, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: John Thompson ]
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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Strictly Photoshop-Illustrator here. Well I bought Corel Draw for the fonts. As far as using Corel's vector features to stack up an argumant against Photoshop, I see that as purely a cost comparison. No one contests that the alternatives are cheaper then Adobe products, but adding in Corel's vector features, your still talking about a seperate program. Photoshop 7 does have increased vector compatibility. My guess is that most commercial users will move up to Adobe products later, if not sooner.
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This post is probably been beaten with a dead horse... but my .02 worth is go with Photoshop... Yes the others can do a huge portion of what Photoshop can do. New version of PS is great for color calibration and adjusting and embedding colorspaces and profiles. It is the only beast that we run, and if I have a file I can't open in PS I run it through a utility called Graphik Converter....
-------------------- Eric Patzer A.S.A.P. Design Lafayette, CO epatzer@earthlink.net Posts: 208 | From: Lafayette, CO USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Paint Shop Pro was the very 1st program i have ever learned and used, and I still use it today. Like the others have said it is limited to vectorising compalities, but it is a great program and can do wonders with Eye Candy.
Have used it to create some logos and have found a method to be able to cut my designs with a plotter, had in one event was able to use it for a digital print.
For web designs it is awsome, and to touch up or enhance any photos is is a perfect tool. Not bad for a lil price that it come with.
And there are alot of sites that offers many tips and tricks to use Paint Shop Pro.
That is just my 2 cents of info on PSP.
-------------------- Frank Weidman Waukegan, Il. Posts: 71 | From: Waukegan, Il. | Registered: May 2002
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