General call for help/advice

[clevermanka]

I’ve used an ancient old copy of Photoshop for years. Due to circumstances which do not need exploring at this juncture, I need some sort of new graphics program. Mostly what I do with it is basic photo editing and make posters and flyers.

The full Adobe Photoshop 6 looks overwhelming (learning software is not one of my strong points), but the Elements version doesn't get good reviews. Should I be looking at Illustrator instead?

I do a LOT with text/posters. What do you advise?

Comments

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

Illustrator and Photoshop are inherently differently aligned programs, at least the last time I checked. Photoshop is primarily for pixel based image editing, while Illustrator is for vector graphics.

If you're on Mac, look at Pixelmator, a US$30 application which does most of the important stuff in Photoshop, with most of the same interface (but updated for OSX).

If you're on Windows, I'd just suggest staying with older versions of Photoshop, which can be had for a song.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I know they're vastly different. That's why I was asking which I should get. Photoshop was one of the pieces of software in my desk when I started this job in 2001. That's the only reason I used it. I know embarrassingly little about Illustrator, but I know it's used for graphic design.

I use a PC, so no Pixelmator for me. Where would one find these older versions of Photoshop for a song? Keep in mind, I need to buy via state contract reimbursement, so no eBay or such. Although, I guess if it was cheap enough, it could just be purchased out of pocket...

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

Would GiMP work?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Hm! Dunno. Paint.net didn't, but I remember seeing Gimp on that same website. I'll download it and give it a try tomorrow. Thanks!

[stuology.livejournal.com]

Disclaimer: I haven't used Illustrator in a long time.

Photo editing in Illustrator will likely be very, very limited. I'm not sure what "basic" photo editing entails, so you should look at the specific things that you do and make sure Illustrator can do it. This app is geared for vector graphics for people who can draw. It isn't for editing photos or doing layouts.

And the learning curve for the recent version of Illustrator will not be less than that of Photoshop. Honestly, from the sound of your post, Elements is probably what you want.

Or, um, Gimp, which is free and available for Windows. I have a long hate for the interface of Gimp though. Compared to Adobe.

http://www.gimp.org/windows/

If you are doing text/posters, then Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress (they still make it!) is what you would want.

I guess that's why Adobe sells those as a CS Studio bundle because designers often need all three for their respective strong points.

Abobe provides free trials for their software. Give Elements a try and judge after you have used it rather than from reviews.

[hdsqrl.livejournal.com]

Snagit came with my work machine's image, and I've grown quite fond of the Snagit Editor. It's worth a look, as is Corel's PaintShop Pro (formerly developed by Jasc.)

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

I haven't used Elements, but for what you do probably stay away from Illustrator. I use Photoshop for all of my poster making - unless I need to create a vector graphic, which I make in Illustrator and import to Photoshop. If you're not in a huge hurry I could bring my laptop over sometime - I have CS3 of both on my Mac - you could play with them at will.

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Gimp is nice, but I don't recommend it for people who have trouble grasping a very complex (if powerful) interface. It's damned confusing and a little overwhelming. I use it, but it has its own way of doing things that can be a real PITA.

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

When I saw "basic photo editing," which Illustrator doesn't do at all, I was unsure about how to respond.

State-paid means no eBay, I guess. Does the old version you'd been using not work anymore? I mean, Photoshop really jumped the shark with version 6, and now all this CS stuff, I don't have any idea who uses the web-ready crap, or paints on 3D objects in it...

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

We have up thru CS6 at work but I've successfully managed to boycott using everything after CS4.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

What is the top amount that will be reimbursed?

I have worked with Photoshop 6, 7, CS? on Windows, and Photoshop 6, 7, CS, and CS5 on Mac. My experience has been that they add features, but I haven't found any big differences, between versions or platforms.

There's always Gimp, but I found it annoying after working with Photoshop.

I can't parse Illustrator. I find it much more complicated than Photoshop, and I find myself unwilling to learn how to use it.

GIMP - Yeah, what you said.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

I only wanted to grasp it long enough to hold it still while I uninstalled it.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

Elements is so hobbled, it's basically like using the editor that comes with any given digital camera. Not recommended.

Re: GIMP - Yeah, what you said.

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

Yeah - the only reason I DO use it is because my copy of Photoshop 6 won't work on Windows 7. *tears hair out*

[darksuit.livejournal.com]

The newer versions of Photoshop CS are not geared towards print as much. Adobe has been trending towards the higend 3D crowd much more lately.
The last CS5 was mostly improvements for 3D games at least thats the impression that I have. But then thats my field.

For most basic needs so long as you don't need pantone color matching or CMYK Gimp should suit your needs. Gimp when I last checked was not able to do 4 color separation.

Illustrator will more than likely be very fustrating and not meet your needs. I will however second the comment that if you are doing print posters and such, a combonation of Photoshop and InDesign/Quark (I would mention Pagemaker but that has morphed into InDesign). Those two for those looking in who are not familar with the names are typesetting applications.

Ebay would be your cheapest for out of pocket or craigslist. You may want to conact your local educational reseller, at times they have deals for state employees as well.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I have NO IDEA about cost. Frankly, due to the circumstances which do not need exploring at this juncture, that's the least of my concerns.

Gimp seems to have a love/hate effect on people. Yeah, I remember Illustrator being kind of...awful to learn.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Does the old version you'd been using not work anymore?

I really, really don't care to discuss why I can't use my old software. It's a bit of a red-button issue.

Sounds like I'm going to need two different pieces of software. Awesome.

Re: GIMP - Yeah, what you said.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I only wanted to grasp it long enough to hold it still while I uninstalled it.

LAUGHING OUT LOUD SRSLY.

And I haven't even had coffee yet.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Alas, I am in a hurry. OF COURSE. Thank you for the offer.

*sigh*

I'm glad everyone has successfully talked me out of Illustrator. There's something I can check off the list.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what the reviews said. Not encouraging.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Wow, I haven't even heard of that one. I used to use Corel stuff, though, and it wasn't too bad. Of course, that was back in the early 90s...

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

The newer versions of Photoshop CS are not geared towards print as much.

Yeah, that was the impression I was getting, which was making me feel less comfortable about purchasing it.

Man, I used Pagemaker 1.0. I MISS IT. =/ I miss Quark, too.

I think I know someone who has InDesign on her computer here at work. Maybe I'll ask to take it for a spin this afternoon. Thanks for weighing in!

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

Does KU have a Graphic Design Program?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Maybe? But all the students are gone for the summer. And I need this poster a week from today.

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy to help you work on it (i.e. do it for you).
But I was thinking that the school might have some old Photoshop versions they're not using anymore? Maybe?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

That's not how the university works. It's against state policy for something to leave an office that purchased it under one budget and move it to an office that didn't pay for it.

Yes. Seriously.

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

But if you wanna make the poster SWEET JESUS YES.

I'll send you all the info this afternoon and you can run with it.

I owe you...I dunno. A foot massage if your new boots hurt your feet?

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

that's just....really USELESS.

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

I'd be HAPPY to!!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Like most bureaucratic stuff that happens here at KU. YES. Yes, it is.

BLESS YOU

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but there's a less expensive Photoshop version that my friend Trina uses to do editing and her art photography. I will ask her about it.

Here's a similar freeware, Photo Pos Lite (http://www.photopos.com/PhotoPosLiteInfo.asp)

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was with Gimp as a suggestion. Shorter learning curve.