Paint Shop... Or Photo Shop?

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:03 pm

Alrighty, folks. Being the wonderful artist (I wish) I am, I concluded I was going to purchase a computer pixel-coloring program. The issue? I know of two different programs that do this job- Paint Shop Pro 7 and Photo Shop.

Are there any difference.. other than the hundred-dolarr different between Photo and Paint? I was thinking with just dropping the extra hundred +/- cost and get Paint, but if Photo has a significantly better rate of performance, I may reconsider. Can anyone give me the basics of either or both of these systems?

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:10 pm

I have used both as part of my job and I must say I prefer Paint Shop 7. It is a lot more simple to use, the standard features are right in front of you.

Unless you are moving on to become a graphic designer then you will find less uses for photoshop. It is very good for creating layers and adding effects etc but the actual ease of use is dubious.

Plus PSP7 is a great deal cheaper, you can get it for about 30 quid now in the UK, Photoshop is still stupidly expensive.

I haven't really outlined why PSP7 is better, it just is. There is a certain amount of learning curve with these programs and PSP's is an easier curve.

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:12 pm

@AC:

Are you referring to Adobe Photoshop, or another program?

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:17 pm

Originally posted by Chanak
@AC:

Are you referring to Adobe Photoshop, or another program?

Yep. That's it.

Sleep - I've been told that both systems are generally difficult to understand, but it Photo Shop is that much screwy, then maybe I will stick with Paint... I'm not to enthusiastic about the major price difference, either.

Zelgadis · Post by **Zelgadis** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:17 pm

I've never used paint shop, so i can't compare the two for you, but photoshop is a good choice. I've never found something i couldn't do with photoshop, its a very strong product and fairly easy to use after a small bit of learning. Its also very popular, which speaks highly for its quality.

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:19 pm

Originally posted by Zelgadis
I've never used paint shop, so i can't compare the two for you, but photoshop is a good choice. I've never found something i couldn't do with photoshop, its a very strong product and fairly easy to use after a small bit of learning. Its also very popular, which speaks highly for its quality.

What kind of things do you do?

My major problem with Photoshop was little niggles that made the program harder to use, after using the PSP's for so long I am blinkered to Photoshop. I still use it some times when I have to but I think it's main uses are for more professional workers.

Like will AC ever use it for PDF's?

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:22 pm

@AC:

I spent several years in the Desktop publishing business, and I can tell you offhand - and agree with Sleepy - if you're not planning on doing professional stuff, don't bother with Photoshop. Photoshop is actually very powerful, and there are a horde of plug ins to use with it that would boggle your mind. As far as the interface of the program goes, just about every other image editor of note emulates Photoshop in one regard or another. You can customize your tools and work area in Photoshop as much as you please - create macros and automated processes to handle as many images at one time, if you like - but it really isn't worth getting if you don't need it.

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 4:20 pm

I have photoshop and like it, but then I'm not a professional unless you count what I've done to people's work photo's, but that was out of the kindness of my heart. *ahem*

I like layers, they make mistakes less of a problem

But, I've been told that the things I do in photoshop ( I make people on a lazy, once every year basis) I should be using illustrator (I was told this at a work paid for 'photoshop' class, everyone else made a sun with a black oval over it, I made a person with a hat, I found the smudge tool great for shading.)

I've TRIED Illustrator, it makes me cry. It's hard to understand, and the big book my SO bought me doesn't help at all, it's too darn big for me to want to read it.

Hmm...small rant there...

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 4:53 pm

I haven't used Paintshop before, but Photoshop is pretty good. I don't get why it costs so much. That part makes no sense to me. Its good, but nothing amazing.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 5:16 pm

The way i see it

Paint shop pro is for us amateur users that they can do a little editing or create a couple of custom pictures. In time you can actually create almost anything with it after you get the grip. But that is where Photoshop comes, if you are adept in design then Photoshop gives more options, has tones of templates effects etc ready for you so that you can easily design almost anything.

However i haven't really used Photoshop but merely saw what it can do if a designer knows what to do and maybe that is why, designers prefer it. But as Sleep said Photoshop is way to expensive for a casual home user.

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 5:58 pm

Photoshop isn't that complicated. I've used it in school for my Computer Graphics and Design class and my Mass Media classes. I guess I haven't done enough with it, though.

Since its so expensive, I'm planning to ask my Graphics teacher if I can borrow the software and install it on my pc, to work on stuff at home (he lets us).