What programs should I get?

**Kagemusha22** · August 22nd, 2009, 04:32 PM

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but I'm currently considering getting a new laptop before starting my Illustration course, and I don't know which programs to buy. The Illustration course itself seems mostly traditionally orientated as the equipment list I got features no mention of programs or having to buy tablets. Though I'm still interested in doing Digital work, and have recently finished a week's work experience at a Graphic company, where I got a chance to get to grips with the Wacom tablet's and Adobe Illustrator. (Which I found frustrating and ill-suited for myself)

So I asked them what Corel painter was like and they claimed it was a poor program and I was best sticking to Adobe. (Though the fact they were Graphic designers rather than Illustrators, could be the reason for that) I'd personally like to know what a digital artists opinion on the various programs available is. Thanks.

**Flake** · August 22nd, 2009, 05:18 PM

Painter has a 30 day demo, try it for yourself.
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli.../1208716842481

Personally I found Painter to be likeable but buggy. I can see how it would have little to offer most graphic designers.

If you end up buying a wacom you usually get chopped down versions of PS and Painter with them btw so you can have a good play around.

Also, have a look at Artrage, it's kinda "Diet Painter"
http://www.artrage.com/

**Nickillus** · August 24th, 2009, 01:17 PM

Why not grab ArtRage for the bargain price it comes at? You can't lose. It has a ton of power, including full layer blending modes, arbitrarily rotatable canvas, is Photoshop compatible and is about to have a major update from version 2.5 to 3 (although it won't be a free update, it should be just as well priced).
And as a good argument in its favour on an art course, it feels more like and has some of the same foibles as real media . . .
http://www.artrage.com/

There is also a forum dedicated to ArtRage that you can grab a load of freebies from to bolster your arsenal.

**JJacks** · August 24th, 2009, 01:56 PM

Go download all the free trials you can, and work with them. See which one suits you best.

Obviously, when browsing around anyone can see great works can be created with Painter, Photoshop, Illustrator, or whatever else. You have to pick something that you feel comfortable working and learning with. It's a big investment not only price wise, but time wise as it take a long time to learn all of the great functions of your program. Take your time. You may even find that it's best to work with a combination of programs, although that's pretty expensive. If you are still a student, you can get discounts on programs. If you school has a store, the programs can be pretty cheap there.

**Black Spot** · August 24th, 2009, 03:00 PM

Adobe if you have the money, but Serif is cheap. Artrage, Gimp and Dogwaffle are free.

**velderia** · August 24th, 2009, 09:12 PM

If you're leaning towards graphic design, you might want to go for the Adobes. Free trials are awesome.

If you're leaning towards something more natural, Painter is nice. You just have to keep in mind, you can't really do a CMYK conversion properly in Painter, which is vital for a lot of printing, especially for things like newsprint, magazines, and books. A lot of people work with both Photoshop and Painter. You can do a good RGB>CMYK with patience, just not in Painter alone. Photoshop is pretty much the standard for finishing touches like that. Adobe Illustrator is great for vector-only works, and I believe it can be also be worked in CMYK.

**Nickillus** · August 26th, 2009, 06:41 AM

I'm with Black Spot's advice about Serif software. I've been using PagePlus and DrawPlus for years. Both intuitive and powerful software, with the ability to output professional quality stuff - just lacking that fine control available in the very exspensive Adobe equivalents (bearing in mind that in the UK you pay a lot more for their products than Stateside). Not so keen on PhotoPlus although I do know it can probably cope with most of your image manipulaton needs. As can Gimp which is free of course.
I got a copy of Photoshop7 for about £100 a number of years ago off Ebay and it's still serving me well.
I source most of any software I need off Ebay. Got Sketchbook Pro 2 for £60 when the original price was about £200 a few years ago. The latest verson is only £90 new though and well worth a look. I love it for its simplicity, workflow and psd compatibility (no blending modes however). There is a trial version that you can download a give a go. If you do, take the time to investigate the ability to easily create custom texture brushes. Both SKB and ArtRage like laptops by the way. SKB is better at handling bigger files in my experience, for what it's worth. I recommend both for their different strengths and tool sets.
SKB Trial download

Got Manga Studio Pro3 for £80 last year and am awaiting Anime Studio Pro that was a bargain at under £60 +p&p from the US. Have to admit to not having got a handle on Manga Studio yet, because I've not had time to learn its individual workflow. There are Ebay bargains to be had if you know what you want, are patient and look in regularly. Same will apply to other auction sites you may frequent as well.

Also there is Painter Sketchpad

Or how about Open Canvas
Free version 1.1
Seems like they no longer offer an English version of their latest version or support after 2010 for existing Enlish speaking customers. New sales ended this July. Not sure why.

**Black Spot** · August 26th, 2009, 01:30 PM

I'll let you into a secret, I only have ever bought DrawPlus8 (£10), the rest I won from Serif. While I do know a few professionals who use it, the competition on their forum is not very strong. Might have a bash at upgrading to X3 soon.

**Nickillus** · August 27th, 2009, 04:19 AM

Good for you Black Spot.
I'm one of their 'Loyal Customers' according to the fact that I bought a couple of full priced prooducts about 8 years ago. I get phone calls with offers when the software first comes out in new form - BUT - I tend to hang on a bit and then a few months later I get the same software on offer through email promo, usually for about £40 - which is always considerably cheaper than the first offer.

DrawPlusX3 is well worth a look. There have been a raft of enhancements since 8 that I think you'll appreciate. You can get it on Ebay at bargain prices

£9.99 - AUCTION
£25 - FIXED PRICE

**Black Spot** · August 27th, 2009, 08:04 AM

I won X2 and the main feature I want from X3 is the exporting in additional formats. I don't use half of the program as it is.

**Kagemusha22** · September 17th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice it's much appreciated, at the moment I'm going to stick with Artrage which came with the Wacom tablet I bought so I can get used to using the tablet. Then I might get Sketchbook as Nicked suggested. (Or Drawplus)