Good Art Programs? What do you use? Recommendations?

[Bunches 81]

I found GIMP impossible to use. There is another similar program to GIMP that I tried as well and found it impossible. But I was already accustomed to using Photoshop and there are things that GIMP and that other thing just can't do.

 

I'd suggest using Adobe Cloud. It's the best out there and what 99.9% of professionals use in photography, design, illustration, ect. It's 50$/month and you can start/stop anytime. You have access to all of Adobe's products and Adobe updates them all regularly.

 

50$ may seem like a lot to spend per month on a hobby but mastering Abode is a skill set that you can absolutely rely on in your career, assuming you love it enough to want to go into design. A certification in mastering Adobe products is a huge asset and stands out on any resume, and you if you've used it as a hobby for your growing up life, that certificate will be a breeze to get once the time comes. 50$ spent to learn that you don't want to get really involved in design down the road is also money well spent I believe. Some people spend their whole lives wondering what they want to do and figuring out what you don't want to do is a huge step along the way.

 

Edit: as for Flash, don't bother. It's becomign obselete and won't be around too much longer. Most developers use HTML5 and other coding languages now instead because most of the newer softwares out there don't support flash or only partially support flash. Trust me, my boyfriend is a developer (has been for 20 years) and he hates when his customers insist on using Flash and then complaining why it won't work on all of their devices.

 

If that is something you are interested in, I'd recommend checking out some coding. Start with basic html & css (it's really basic and easy to learn and see your code working) and branch out into html5. The easiest way to start learning this for free is to get a blog and create your own layouts.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Bunches

[Gone for good 1,593]

@@Hansel, You see I must either be using the programs wrong or I just be special because I actually find after effects a pain in the neck for 2d things but find it easy for 3d things.

[Hansel 1,512]

@@Hansel, You see I must either be using the programs wrong or I just be special because I actually find after effects a pain in the neck for 2d things but find it easy for 3d things.

 

Don't get me wrong, After Affects is usable for almost any form of film-making, (I've used it for live-action myself) but it's primarily equipped and used for 2D animation in the industry. It's normally either used in post-production for editing, composting, and effects, or used on it's own for motion graphics or puppet animation. 

Doesn't mean you can't use it for 3D, but generally speaking, people use Nuke for that.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Hansel

[Seaweed-Headed Dragon 359]

I just got a Wacom Intuos Pro tablet and I love it 

The software I use as of now are Sketchbook Express and Photoshop Elements 12

 

 

So for all you digital artist out there, what software do you use?

 

What software do you recommend? 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

I use GIMP and SAI, well I used to use SAI but now I use GIMP as of now. 

[Onylex 2,837]

Clip Studio Paint/Manga Studio 5:

This is the best program for line art, inking, and watercolor paint effect. (my opinion)

 

 

Photoshop Cs4 - Cs6:

Any version of photoshop from Cs4 to CC/Cs6 makes for a well rounded program. Good for drawing, painting, and editing/adding special effects. (my opinion)

 

Both are very dynamic and amazing programs though, photoshop was not built around the idea of art. Its just a really flexible program and allows you to do painting, drawing, etc.

 

Manga Studio/Clip Studio _{(same program diff names)} is my favorite programs to draw and paint in at the moment. It has a lot of the same elements that photoshop does but, it was built around the idea of doing artwork in it, so there are a couple of extra elements in there such as "special rulers". Though you can still achieve most of the effect you get out of this program in photoshop.

 

All and all ether or is fine.

 

I would also recommend Paint tool SAI and GIMP.

 

SAI is easy to get into and does not have a huge learning curve to it.

Gimp is free and acts in a lot of the same ways that photoshop does.

 

Hope this was of some help.   

 

 

 

 

[Nohbdy 4,108]

I just got a Wacom Intuos Pro tablet and I love it  

The software I use as of now are Sketchbook Express and Photoshop Elements 12

 

 

So for all you digital artist out there, what software do you use?

 

What software do you recommend? 

Hey, I've merged your topic with an existing thread in Creative Resources. Just a heads up.