Hello, forum members,

I am returning to CP after a long time away, so I am new to CP again! About 2 years ago I was using PS 5.5, so I'm already a little familiar with PS, but now I'm looking to upgrade and would like a recommendation for a user friendly software which works well for CP purposes. Do you think I really need 2 separate programs (vector vs. raster)? I know these forums provide good advice, so any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Jeanne

Hi!

I use photoshop cs2 for most of my stuff, but it's my understanding that GIMP http://www.gimp.org/ (which is free) is a very good program also, so you may want to give that a look. My girlfriend uses Corel Painter X, but it's way too complicated for me lol

hope that helps!

Mac or PC? If you are going to spend any money - I do not hesitate to recommend a one-version-old CorelDRAW Suite. X3 will give all but that last 1/4% of people EVERYTHING they EVER need for graphics (vector) and photos (raster/bitmap), as well as over 1000 Open-type fonts, font management, bar-code generator, etc etc etc etc. CorelDRAW is also capable of using Photoshop 'actions' for extended use.

CorelDRAW is far easier to learn than any competing software as well. I have all major drawing and photo programs on my PC to deal with customer problems - and CorelDRAW is by far the most capable and easiest to learn. Even the full retail price is like 1/3d or 1/4 that of Adobe.

A business organization asked be to deal with our legislature to get them to stop teaching many Adobe products in the High Schools, as the business owners were unhappy about getting new empolyees that 'had two years classroom education' (on Adobe) and were basically unable to function without retraining.

The CorelDRAW Suite is capable of utilizing more add-ons than ANY similar product - from PDFs, real printing jobs, word processing, laser cutters, sign work, embroidery, etc.

Corel's only problems are the schizoid ownership - alternating from believing they really are that great - to corporate suicide. Bizarre!

PC World once referred to Corel PhotoPaint at the 'equal' to Photoshop (but they have not kept up). It is still all most will ever need for any kind of graphics production.

Free programs are great - IF you already know how to use them. But if 'beginning', and willing to spend a little money - you cannot go wrong with CorelDRAW X3. And you can actually buy books for Corel products! There are literally 1000's of free tutorials for all of CorelDRAW out there.

If you need that last 1/4% by all means buy Adobe CS,2,3,4 - but for the vast majority, it is just a waste of time and money.

Thanks so much for your quick reply, Bill and Barryk! Barryk, I have a Mac - does that alter your advice in any way?

Thanks,
Jeanne

Unfortunately yes. Corel gave up on the Mac as there were too many connected to Adobe products. Once you take classes in one brand (willingly subjecting yourself to that propaganda) and once you learn what they say - you are most often stuck. My complaint about most who 'advise' - they only recommend that which they use instead of what is best for the person, business, need, whatever. Why I own most all graphics suites.

You might be able to find one of the older Mac versions for a pretty good price - and I think that is worth persuing. In general CorelDRAW offers everything others do for a lot less. At one time CorelDRAW held over 85% of ALL graphics programs sold worldwide.

Adobe has slowly chipped away at that number because of poor marketing of Corel products and NOT because they are less capable. Photoshop has progressed further than has Corel PhotoPaint, but for -most- users will do all you ever need.

I use Photoshop for some things because I learned on it - but in general my Corel stuff will do 99% of all I need done.

I see there are some on eBay right now. Typical MAC problem - they are priced more than the same version for a PC. I see them today from $50 to nearly $500. ALL CorelDRAW for Mac's are 'old' versions now (but still very capable). Keep your eyes out for v9,10, or 11 OEM or used.

Since I gave up using a Mac I am unsure if you can run the PC version under the 'Virtual' PC environment that Mac now has. If so, I'd look at that as a great option. $$

As a PC user I'd say ... :-)

Good luck

This message has been edited. Last edited by: barryk,

quote:

Originally posted by barryk:
Unfortunately yes. Corel gave up on the Mac as there were too many connected to Adobe products. Once you take classes in one brand (willingly subjecting yourself to that propaganda) and once you learn what they say - you are most often stuck. My complaint about most who 'advise' - they only recommend that which they use instead of what is best for the person, business, need, whatever. Why I own most all graphics suites.

You might be able to find one of the older Mac versions for a pretty good price - and I think that is worth persuing. In general CorelDRAW offers everything others do for a lot less. At one time CorelDRAW held over 85% of ALL graphics programs sold worldwide.

Adobe has slowly chipped away at that number because of poor marketing of Corel products and NOT because they are less capable. Photoshop has progressed further than has Corel PhotoPaint, but for -most- users will do all you ever need.

I use Photoshop for some things because I learned on it - but in general my Corel stuff will do 99% of all I need done.

I see there are some on eBay right now. Typical MAC problem - they are priced more than the same version for a PC. I see them today from $50 to nearly $500. ALL CorelDRAW for Mac's are 'old' versions now (but still very capable). Keep your eyes out for v9,10, or 11 OEM or used.

Since I gave up using a Mac I am unsure if you can run the PC version under the 'Virtual' PC environment that Mac now has. If so, I'd look at that as a great option. $$

As a PC user I'd say ... :-)

Good luck

I started on Paint Shop Pro years ago, and started learning Photoshop about 2 years ago. Now I'm learning Illustrator...
From what I understand, a vector based program is best for creating logos etc. Not sure if that helps with your question or not. But I personally am learning in different programs to be safe and keep up to date with what is current.

Well photoshop has been killing me in the learning curve was looking for something a little lighter.However, seems everyone says stick with it so I guess back to it. I was looking for simple paint program on Mac , looks like Im sticking with photoshop.

If you are looking for a 'simple paint program on Mac' then try Seashore. It's a lighter version of GIMP and it supports layers, and transparency (but they look white onscreen).

If you want to try something else go to Pure-Mac / Graphics, there are several listed on this page.

David
MacBook at Home, Dell at Work.

For beginners, Adobe Fireworks or Corel Paint Shop Pro. Adobe Fireworks is simple, Paint Shop Pro is cheap but feature-rich.

The thing with Fireworks is that its interface is changed around a bit so that while it has the functionality of a photoshop lite, if you decide to eventually drop the money for photoshop you might have to get used to new quirks. Not a big deal.