Simular programs to Photoshop...

[TopAce]

Hello all! How are you guys doing? I'm in a little trouble! I would like to start knowing how to create website, and learn graphic design. (looking to it as a profession????) I know most people use photoshop! I also know that photoshop cost's $699.99! I do not want to spend that much money on something i may not even enjoy! (I know how complex photoshop is). Does anyone know where i could maybe get a free trial of photoshop? OR any otyher simular programs that arn't as $$$$$


Thanks,
Matt

[legendary]

I think Paintshop Pro (http://www.jasc.com/products/paintshoppro/) is just as good as Adobe Photoshop without the hefty price tag. You can even use Photoshop plugins. A free trial can be downloaded from the website. If you are a student at a college or university you can get software like this at a good price.

[Conan the King]

If you want a free program, then I suggest you look into GIMP. You can download GIMP for windows here (http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html). You'll need to download and install GTK + 2 before you install GIMP (it's on the page I linked to, as well).

[Mr.Guvernment]

Paint Shop PRO or Corel Draw - neither is really "as good" as photoshop, but both should get your started.

[Ross2376]

Yeah Corel is just about as good as Photoshop but I don't know the price tag on it. I have never tried Paint Shop though.

[Mr.Guvernment]

Paint Shop PRO was the one i tried before i got PhotoShop.

Corel i never realyl liked - their product always seemed to be so so, i really hated it when they bought Bryce and have done nothin with it! it is an awseom and powerful 3d app and corel has trashed it :(

[koss20100]

ya paint shot pro is really nice ...

[thegreek]

GIMP is really good and almost looks like Photoshop too.

[RP Racing]

I have Paintshop Pro 9. I tried Adobe CS's 30 day trial and wasnt impressed enough to drop $650 on a program. Tried Gimp also but that was just a PITA and had to go looking for the raw file plug in I need.

Just a FYI, Corel bought JASC (the maker of Paintshop Pro).

[Mr.Guvernment]

^^ Photoshop is really only worth it if you know how to use all of it's features, for everyday editing and the odd picture job, no it is not worth it, but when you are doing some serious photo editing on say a poster size image with like 20-30 filters and such - it is amazing how good it is.


Dam your Corel!!!!!

[BC|Wulf]

I started out using a program that came with my flatbed scanner. It was a Macromedia program and I cannot think of the name now. I still use it ocasionally but since I am not at work, I will post teh name when i get home. It was not as powerful as Photoshop, but it did everything I need for making webpages.

[itshondo]

Ulead Makes some very good software that is much less expensive- including PhotoImpact, which I use all the time.

[Mr.Guvernment]

I started out using a program that came with my flatbed scanner. It was a Macromedia program and I cannot think of the name now. I still use it ocasionally but since I am not at work, I will post teh name when i get home. It was not as powerful as Photoshop, but it did everything I need for making webpages.


MacroMedia FreeHand or Fireworks - but they are mainly used for vector graphics, since that is the ideal for flash.