Photoshop alternatives?

Rollertoaster · Post by **Rollertoaster** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:15 am

Hi, CG moderators, wranglers and experienced CG members!

I am planning to start up my own webcomic pretty soon, and so I will need an editing program for my strips... Problem is, I've seen how insane the prices are for photoshop, and would prefer not to spend a huge amount of money buying it, if I'm just as well off with another program.

I already have Studio 8, with Fireworks, and I don't see much difference here... Is there any aspect of this program that makes it less practical?

Also, I've lurked around a bit and seen GIMP recommended a fair couple of times. Would this be my best shot?

Please give me some advice here, and if possible, some pros and cons of the different programs.

Thanks in advance

- Rollertoaster (Yes, I know it's a dumb name, thankyouverymuch.)

Swikan · Post by **Swikan** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:42 am

There are some BEAUTIFUL webcomics created with GIMP. And considering it's free, it's a bargain.

You might also try "Open Canvas".. You have to buy it, but you can use the free trial for a month to see if you like it.

Rollertoaster · Post by **Rollertoaster** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:35 pm

Cheers for the reply.
Downloading GIMP now to see what it looks like.

Also, I'd be grateful if someone could tell me the difference between fireworks and photoshop.

Dr Neo Lao · Post by **Dr Neo Lao** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:58 pm

Someone else said this:

Kid A (on another forum, several years ago) wrote:In Fireworks you can create image maps, rollovers, animation and standard graphics + much more. Check out the tutorials. I would recommend going through the tutorials.

Photoshop is not really a graphics program, but more of a photo manipulation package. Of course you can create graphics there too, though.

It's a subtle difference, namely what you intend to use the end product for.

JessicaRaven · Post by **JessicaRaven** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:31 pm

I've heard good things about Pixia

it's also free, but being that the program is originally written in japanese there's a bit of a learning curve to it

Prettysenshi · Post by **Prettysenshi** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:48 pm

Photoshop Elements. Made by the same company, so there's not much new stuff to learn, and it's only $100.

Rollertoaster · Post by **Rollertoaster** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:37 am

Hm, after downloading GIMP and playing around with it a bit, I found it sort of... chaotic... I already know a fair bit of photoshop, as my school has it, so Fireworks or Photoshop elements would probably be the best idea. I realize that Fireworks is more intended for web use, but would that mean that the formats and stuff is more appropriate, or is it more for actually creating it all in there? (I am intending to draw the comic by hand, only need the program to color and text etc.)

In Photoshop Elements, what parts of the original Photoshop is left out?

And in Fireworks, what are the reasons it is not as suited for comic editing (It seems pretty similar to me)?

Sorry if all my questions are annoying, but I really need the answers to this

Jedster · Post by **Jedster** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:22 am

Another piece of purchase software is Paint Shop Pro. I use one of the older versions, but there are newer versions out (X and XI... what is it with roman numerals these days?).

In my experience the newer versions are tending towards being as much like photoshop as they can be, but they're nowhere near as expensive (I've seen PSPXI a tenth of the price of PSCS2 in some places). You can still pick up copies of the older versions (like 8 and 9) which are even cheaper, though less like photoshop.

Warpedreality · Post by **Warpedreality** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:36 pm

I just started using Manga Studio Debut. It's kind of complicated, but I like how the end product looks.

http://www.e-frontier.com/go/products

Wyldcherry · Post by **Wyldcherry** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 10:29 am

Here's a comparison between PS and PS elements:
http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/photos ... ompare.htm

You might also want to consider Paint Shop Pro, which has a bit more tools than elements. I prefer the Elements layout rather than Paint Shop because it's more intuitive. Also, wacom tablets are bundled with and older version of Elements and Painter Classic. It's a pretty nice deal.

openCanvas is great for line art and coloring/tones (very smooth strokes), but it lacks a lot of tools elements has. I have the 'plus' version that allows me to save my drawings in photoshop format (that way I can switch back and forth if I want to alter something that I can't do in oC). Also, oC is geared for tablet users since it makes use of the pressure sensitivity. You can use it with a mouse, but it's very time consuming. There is a free version (google for oC 1.1), but it doesn't have a lot of tools that the recent version has.

MrEff · Post by **MrEff** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:47 pm

I've found that PhotoPlus 6.0 at http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/ is an excellent free program, that damn near mimics PhotoShop..

2 thumbs up from me personally

-MrEff-

Americangothic · Post by **Americangothic** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:52 pm

I use two programs-- Corel 8 and Gimp.

The corel 8 I got as a free gift, but after searching on eBay, I found copies for less than 20.00 It does 90% of what I need.

Gimp is free....and I know some folks said it was kind of hard to adjust to, but it works with PNGs and does great with transparencies. You just gotta get used to it. There are free tutorials online for it and they help out a lot. It does the other 10%

Something you have to look at is HOW you intend to make your comic. For example, mine is traditional artwork that is scanned in-- I use pens, markers, watercolors etc. The majority of my work happens BEFORE it ever gets scanned in.

If you are looking to do 80-100% of your comic computer generated, then I suggest taking the advise of others and go with Open Canvas and Gimp together.

Manga Studio (the 50.00 version) looks like a good program, but it doesnt handle some palattes/colors, some types of files (PGN etc.) So, be careful about what you buy. An older version of a great program like Photoshop 7 or Corel 8 may be better suited because they can open up eachother's files, will make custom palattes and can handle extentions and plug ins. There are copies of Photoshop 7 on eBay for under 100.00

Sky

Redtech · Post by **Redtech** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 9:15 am

I just wanted to add on something important to what "The wise Gothic One"

has just said.

It's important for one to try before you buy if possible, or stick with something you're used to unless you really prefer a change. Lord knows, I own PSP 7.0 since it was NEW and it's only now that I can use half the features in that damned program. But experimentation and free demos can be a godsend.

It depends on art style and what is to be produced.

Brockway · Post by **Brockway** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:54 pm

I tried photoshop cs (or cp, I don't remember) for a while, and I ended up liking Gimp better. Reasons:

*Gimp's FreeType plugin is awesome. Much easier for dialogue.
*Custom indexing to shrink image sizes (set it to like 12 or 34 or whatever colors. Don't think I saw that is PS)
*Free

There's a vector drawing program I've been meaning to try, its like $80, has an X in the name somewhere. Can't remember though, but seems like it might work well for my style.

Laundromatcomics · Post by **Laundromatcomics** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 4:56 pm

Personally I've found Fireworks to be a good deal more forgiving than Photoshop, though there are fewer filter options.

Allan_ecker · Post by **Allan_ecker** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:32 pm

I used Photoshop Elements for about three years and pretty much just loved the heck out of it. When I upgraded to the bigger tablet it came with a cupon for half off the "real" Photoshop and for me at least the new masking tools (and a few key streamlinings in the brush tools) were worth the money.

Of course I have a pretty decent day job...