Drawing on a computer?

[Rabble]

I was just wondering what programs exist (besides Paint), that don't cost a bucketload of cash, for drawing pictures. I've tried using paint but it's rather annoying...

[Jax]

Well, I'm certainly no expert, but have you seen Purp's topic here http://annemccaffreyfans.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1103 where it shows you how she draws her picture, and though I haven't tried it myself, I think there is a place for you to try it out for yourself.... :erm: don't quote me on that, will ya? ;)

[Bronze-Dragonrider]

Theres several programs. The only one I know about from experience is adobe photoshop. You can draw straight onto the computer if you want, but it's easier to draw a picture on paper, scan it and paint overtop. There are some great tutorials out there for it, and it can create some amazing effects. You can get Photoshop Elements for free if you buy a Wacom Tablet (a wireless mouse and a pen style mouse that helps immensely with drawing and painting on the computer) which ranges from $100 - $500 depending on size and style. The cheapest ones work just fine for me.

[Ian]

Photoshop is a wonderful program (though expensive), but it's not a drawing program. It does have drawing tools, but they're not very comprehensive, Paint Shop Pro is probably better in that regard (and cheaper). There are dedicated drawing programs, of which Corel Draw (now up to version 10 at least) is probably one of the best. Earlier versions of it sometimes crop up on magazine cover discs from time to time, as do other programs. Cover discs are one of the best ways of getting free software (legally), & while it's never the latest versions, what you get is often enough to do what you want unless you're a pro!

[christwriter]

Gimp.

I don't know where to find it, but it's online and it's free. A lot of people swear by it OVER Photoshop, so it can't be bad. You can probably find it by googling.

The tablet suggestion (getting Photoshop Elements via Wacom giveaway) is good, but I'd actually suggest using a program before you buy. It's a pretty expensive investment and you might hate the tablet after you buy.

Not that I could imagine ANYBODY hating their tablet. Mine is like my third arm now, and it's just a bitty-baby 4by5 wacom graphire (can somebody lend me 4,000$ for a Cintiq? Please?) But just...you know...smarter to buy the program first.

Right.

CW

[Myaah]

There’s a Corel Painter, I’ve tried both v. 7 and 9. ;)
There are all kinds of brushes, painting styles, pencils, water-color effects... EVERYTHING! o_O
But obviously it’s more complicated to master (all the more if like me you’re mightily used to Photoshop). Painter has more options (and v.9 has a neat interface) but it’s good not to forget Photoshop. You can do just as well under Photoshop (plus you may download new brushes and effects ^_^ and Photoshop is more widely used than Painter).

[I.L.Y.]

DraPho of Ancient Chinese (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/13809031/) by camilkuo is Photoshop 7 I'm pretty sure. She didn't put it in the description for this one, but in past deviations of hers she's said she uses Photoshop, so I'm thinking that's what this one is too.

Pepper Romance (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/14706970/) by Artgerm on the other hand was done in Painter 9.

I'm sure there are some Gimp pictures on deviantART (www.deviantart.com) too, but I don't feel like sorting through hundreds of thousands(literally) of pieces to find one. :P GFX Artist (www.gfxartist.com) might have some. The Elite galleries on that site are just..........awe inspiring, as are a lot of works on dA.

Painter 9 is more intuitive, once you get used to it, Photoshop is more "get up and go" and has a lot more potential for *other* types of graphics work other than drawing/painting. Gimp I've never had the chance to talk with anyone about. Microsoft's newest attempt at undermining Apple's grip on the graphics industry with a new painting program called Acrylic failed miserably I heard. A couple of GFX users critiqued it and hated it, and to say the least, I respect those people's opinions immensely.

I'm not even going into Paint Shop Pro. *closes eyes and shudders* Every time I've ever tried to use it, it's driven me insane before I've figured out how to do something that takes me a couple seconds in Photoshop. Part of it's that I use Photoshop all the time, so I'm used to it, but PSP just.......urgh. I dun like it very much.

There are also Oekaki (www.oekakicentral.com) boards where you draw online and post it in a forum not disimilar to this one from what I understand(never done it myself). I've seen some *amazingly* lifelike portraits done in it on dA.

There are many, many, many options. It all depends on how much you want to spend and how much power you want to have.

[jinnjinn]

well there are really heaps out there oo;

I use Photoshop CS and it's a wonderful program and is used widely (specially in graphic design) but it is a more advance program. Paint Shop Pro is more for baginners and easy to use, I am pretty sure there is a free one out there. There is also Painter and Open Canvas to name a few. I know or heard that you can also get painter for free but not the latest off it's website.

[Ravien Coromana]

Gimp.

I don't know where to find it, but it's online and it's free. A lot of people swear by it OVER Photoshop, so it can't be bad. You can probably find it by googling.

The tablet suggestion (getting Photoshop Elements via Wacom giveaway) is good, but I'd actually suggest using a program before you buy. It's a pretty expensive investment and you might hate the tablet after you buy.

Not that I could imagine ANYBODY hating their tablet. Mine is like my third arm now, and it's just a bitty-baby 4by5 wacom graphire (can somebody lend me 4,000$ for a Cintiq? Please?) But just...you know...smarter to buy the program first.

Right.

CW
Read a topic on my other forum I go to about Gimp. Has a tutorial & links.
http://www.roleplayershome.net/forum/index.php/topic,69.0.html