Photoshop help

[pentapus]

My computer died. A really big death.

I no longer have photoshop, which is the only graphics program I know how to use. I am currently working the google magic , but:

Does anyone have any tips on photoshop-like programs (not necessarily free)? Or know what is up with this subscription service? Pay forever or don't get to use the software? >:(

Comments

[astridv]

I like Paint Shop Pro, actually prefer it to PS for some things because it uses much less resources. And it's very inexpensive. I'm running an older version (PSP6), roommate has PSP7 which is even better. However I read years ago that the newer versions aren't as good because the company changed hands, therefore I never upgraded. Mine still runs under Windows 7 but I'm starting to see little signs (like, an error message every time I open it) that it might not be compatible with Windows much longer.

It can do all the basic things PS does. But it barely has things like filters and brushes.

[pentapus]

Thank you. That's a valuable run down. I am pretty addicted to texture-based brushes in PS, so paint shop pro might not be for me.

[syntheid]

If you're not so much looking for editing as painting/drawing, you might be able to get away with Autodesk Sketchbook Pro or ArtRage (and GIMP for those times you really need an editor). Both have Windows and MacOS editions. ArtRage's license I believe covers both. SBP I've only liked for doing quick sketches; not necessarily a limitation of the program so much as a limitation of my understanding of how to use it. ArtRage simulates real media, which I've liked for painting. There's also Painter along those lines, but I haven't used it since version 8, and I never managed to figure out how to utilize it fully either.

I use GIMP sometimes as a free editor for cropping/resizing/etc, but I've never liked it much for drawing. And the interface is occasionally frustrating/confusing for someone who's used to Photoshop. It can do pretty much anything PS (7?) could, though, you just have to figure out how to do it GIMP's way instead of PS's. There is a plugin that supposedly makes the interface more Photoshop-like, though I've found it's still... not really the same.

As for the subscription service on Photoshop-- I'm trying it right now because I found a deal that lets me have the Master Suite for a discount for the first year. It is pretty much the only way to only buy one license and get both Windows and Mac versions if that's important to you (it was to me, since I use both regularly and didn't really want to buy two copies), but you only get to install any given program on two computers at the same time. If you're really keen on being always on the latest update it can be a good deal, or might also be useful if you don't have the thousand(s) of dollars to spend on the software upfront and would prefer a monthly payment. It does come with cloud storage space, too, which I haven't tried to use yet.

Not sure if that helps?

[monanotlisa]

There are cheap student versions available (although I note that my uni even gave out the whole Adobe Suite for free, and so I cannot recall the pricing)...

[marycrawford]

http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/index.html

This is a legal download from Adobe themselves, of the entire CS2 suite. Including Photoshop CS2. Serials included. It's not the most recent suite of course, but it's not THAT old.

See here for more info and OS advice: http://www.zagg.com/community/blog/is-adobe-really-giving-away-photoshop-cs2-for-free-yes-and-no/

[vickita]

Re: the Cloud version, I actually like it quite a lot, but I use this stuff professionally, and pretty much ALL of it, so the price to buy it outright and then to keep it updated is pretty hefty. This way I get everything, all of the software, all of the updates, PLUS a shitload of features and other miscellaneous items that I do actually use and am happy to have, for a price that I can budget for, and given the frequency and price of updates, it's not really all that much more. This way I have stopped pirating my work copies at home for moonlighting purposes, which makes me happy. And I can write it off on my taxes.

If you only want the one program, nah, I wouldn't go that way.

[anatsuno]

I'm not sure what platform you're on but I was just reading this review of Acorn, for Mac.