Paint.net

Paint.net is basically a over-powered paint. If you want something more like PS, try Gimp. Interface is little unusual but it works well.

Thanks much, XX. I am thinking about Gimp. I did download it for a test drive but found it somewhat overwhelming...I'm such a novice that I'm going to need good help files!

Get a student or teacher to order you a copy of CS3 from an academic store for around $ 300.00.

Older versions of PaintShop Pro were freely available on Computer Mag CDs, etc....I think it was PSP4 or 5 ....;)

Jafo, in my search I see two versions of an app called PaintShop Pro...one is by Jasc...the other by Corel. I'm not sure which one is the desired program?




Night Train, that is a very good suggestion & maybe what I'm attempting just doesn't exist but I can't afford $300...I really appreciate the information.

The GIMP *can* be overwhelming.  If you are familiar with Paintshop you can try GimpShop for a more consistant UI.

If you decide to go with GIMP, I'll help you in any way I can. It's all I use.  

Hiya Duke ... !

Like you , I cannot afford the big guns,( I am retired ) so I have settled for Paint.Net ~ I have found it not too complicated, and it also has the ability to work with .psd files (kayers), as used by PSP etc... The prog gets upgraded quite regularly,too

It is just the job for me , and it makes (with my help,hehehe ! ) ~ some pretty good Sidebars !!

Go Get !!

PSP was created by Jasc...then they were bought out by Corel.

The freely released ver was at the time it was still Jasc.  Corel got it at ver 7 or 8 ...something like that...;)

Paint.net is a good tool.  It is better than the old free copies of PSP4 as it supports layers and alpha channels.

I have had it crash a couple of times, but thats the price you pay when running free beta software.

PaintShop Pro used to be Jasc, is Corel now.

Oh, didn't see the last 2 entries.

I just had to play around with the program for an hour or two. It is complicated but I sure do like the price.

king819, which program are you referring to? Thanks for your input.




Hey Mike B, if you use Paint.Net with the quality of work you do, it should be more than adequate for me!


Thanks everybody for all your input. This is of tremendous help to me!!!

Duke261 , have you tried the Paint.net help files online, they seem to be adequate,


http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/en/index.html

The trick is...whichever paint proggy you choose...make a point of sticking with it....you get better at it as your familiarity with it improves.

Chop and change and you'll be a Jack of all trades....and master of none...;)

No,winstar, I didn't know they existed...I'll check them now! Do you use Paint.net...if so do you find it adequate?

Sorry I was referring to paint.net

Lol, I know so little Duke261, so saying whether Paint.net is adequate or not should be left to the pro's. I just meant that when I use it, the online help files are adequate enough to answer what question I have about it at that moment.

Gottcha, winstar4, & thanks!!

Thanks to all for the help you provided in choosing a graphics app. I am going with Paint.net!!!

Duke,
I agree with Zubaz. I have GimpShop loaded and it has a much better UI. Not as overwhelming as Photoshop but it has a lot of plug-ins, etc. They also have a community forum. You can Download here:

http://www.gimpshop.com/download.shtml

Good luck with your search for a product. I have the same problems with the cost of many good graphics programs. Don't necessarily limit yourself to just one program either.

I use four programs for different operations, but PDN is my main one. I've never had it crash on me. It's free so ya can't go wrong.

Angus,
I was fooling around with GimpShop but I couldn't get help files...I could get the latter edition help files for the GIMP but GimpShop wouldn't install them. What did you do for help files?

Going to the forums is the best, just like here. You can access them at the page I listed.