i am going to go buy a paint program so i can do some textrues and stuff,, but what program is the best to get??? psp or photoshop, or is there a better one out there???

Corel PhotoPaint 8 or 9, the $100.00 Upgrade will install even if you don't have a previous version on your hard drive. It has all the features of Photoshop and more at a fraction of the price. -JH.

Photoshop is more of a image editing bitmap based software. The best paint program (IMHO) is Painter 6.

If you can afford both, do that; if you don't quite have that much money, but are willing to shell out a lot of cash, go for PhotoShop, since it's the industry standard. I'm a cheap SOB; all I have is PaintShopPro, and I'm happy with it. Most people who use both wouldn't part with either, from what I've seen. I don't know about Photopaint; if it's that good, I may have to look into getting a copy myself! :-)

I installed a tryout version of Photoshop this week and use PSP6 all the time. Now--I'm not 'painter', but think PSP would do all most folks would want for a lot less money. I found PS not quite as intuitive as PSP, but then I didn't spend a lot of time with it before uninstalling it. If I could afford PS without thinking much about it, I would probably buy it because I feel certain that it has lots of things in it not available in PSP, but I think you need to figure out what your needs are first (BTW, almost all filters used in PS will work in PSP). Also, you can dl a demo version of PSP I believe (http://www.jasc.com). I also have Painter Classic--that is sufficient for my needs-as I said--not a 'painter'. Its probably available REAL cheap somewhere --and comes with Wacom graphics tablets. I'd think about my needs really seriously because PS and Painter are pricey (but wonderful) apps. You might easily do quite well with much less pricey apps.

You might also look into painter3D on the Poser 4.0 CD. It's a stripped down version of Painter, and it's FREE if you own Poser. I don't see anything wrong with PSP, it's a good program and you can't beat the price. =)

Here's my two cents worth. I don't know a thing about photoshop but I have Corel photopaint 7, 8, 9, and paintshop 6 . I just bought paintshop so I don't know a great deal about it yet. As far as bells and whistles go, I give the edge to Photopaint it comes with lensflare filters, royalty free photos, and other stuff. My favorite so far between the Corel products is version 8. Version 9 has a few more effects like snow, rain , fog ,star , and texture filters just DON'T get the digital camera edition it has no support for Photoshop plugins( thats why I like 8 over version 9). Also version 8 and 9 come with corel texture, this is great for making textures for 3D objects. Now as far as paintshop 6 it has all the functions of photopaint without the extra's but from the short amount I have used it I think maybe that it performs better. Photpaint has a slightly pixelated look when painting while paintshop looks a little smoother and paintshop definately has better vector tools. Whatever you choose I think I would go for the cheaper programs because I really think either of the above would do what you need and more.

well thanks again for everyones heelp and sugesstions=) markm, you made some good points, i think im gonna go for paintshop, but does anyone know where i can get it at??????

Yes--http://www.jasc.com--look for either products or download section. I think it has a demo version--probably 30 days--or used to anyhow. Diane B

Last 2 cents: I have to agree with JeffH about Photopaint. Painter may have better "Natural Media" styles, but it has a rather awkward user interface. PhotoShop has better masking but is a better "Photo Editor" than it is a "Paint Program". PSP has come a long way and it's "Tube" functions are quite nice, but it still doesn't match Photopaint for the combination of power and ease of use. - SMT

I have both Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro. If you're only going to get one program, get Photoshop, and if you canm get Eye Candy and KPT 6 with it. Those who say Photoshop isn't a paint program only say that because they've failed to do the work required to master Photoshop's powerful paint features. It will do EVERYTHING except handle text well. The point is, if you're only going to get one image editing program, don't get one just for the painting features. Get a multifunction program which also happens to be the industry standard. Yes, it's got a large learning curve, and no, painting in it isn't easy. But you can do it, and you can also make custom brushes, and the number of plugins, both free and for pay, are unsyrpassed by any other program. It'll cost you, but with Photoshop you'll get the most bang for your buck.

I say go for PhotoShop I have Corel 9, Paintshop Pro 5 and Photoshop 5.0 and PS is the greatest

Ummm...I work with Photoshop for a living for a firm that publish's trade magazines. And also have a Associates in Graphic Arts and an Advanced Certificate in Digital Imaging.Photoshops core purpose is to edit images, although you can use it to paint with also.If all you need is something to paint with, pass up Photoshop since you might be wasting your money.

If you wish to do this for a living, bite the bullet, pay the bloodmoney, and get Photoshop, since it will land you jobs once you have a decent portfolio of what you can accomplish. Better save and save for this route, unless you are just naturally wealthy. This one will run you around 800.00 unless you can redeam an earlier version for an upgrade. BTW you may wonder, "What sort of jobs?" Most Photoshop experts with 3 to 5 years of experience make around 40.00 to 65.00 an hour and up per billable hour. If all you wish to do is art for arts sake, and do not plan to run out next week and storm the graphics market with your skills like I did a few years back, go for PSP. I am increasingly impressed at how they manage to get that program to do more and more each day. It will only set you back about 59.00 to 99.00 depending on where you shop. The third solution is a two choicer. It is middle road. Painter on the one hand... which I find to have a frustrating interface. Photopaint on the other hand... which I find to have a frustrating interface. These are both relatively affordable to hobbyists.

Check out E-Bay for a deal some times. I just recieved a Brand new unopened version of Canoma for 1/4 retail.

Hi Folks! KoRn, if you're enrolled in a school or college, check the web for software vendors that offer academic discounts. You can save lots. All of the software programs mentioned here are good. But sooner or later you will encounter a project where Photoshop provides the best tools for the job. If you're serious about computer design you can't afford not to have it. Peter (Dr Zik)

PS Pro is easier to use. PhotoShop is more powerful.

Frankly, I couldn't work effectively without either program. The weaknesses in one program are balanced by the strengths in the other, and each does things the other won't do. PSP used to be considered a hobbyists program, but it has grown since then and is now considered a fully professional level program. Photoshop is the standard, and if you ever do print work, the printer will often ask for psd files so the rgb layers can be seperated. Both programs are simply indispensable if you want to do graphics professionally. And darn near indispensable just for hobby work. The ability to composite and work with layers in photoshop can't be beat. And PSPs text handling capabilities are unsurpassed. Not to mention that the same plugins will work in both.