The Guide to Graphics-Editing Programs

[Hawks]

I'm developing a list of programs, their pros/cons, costs, etc. for newcomers who want to get into graphic art. The only programs I have extensive experience with are Paint and GIMP, so if you use/used another program, please help by offering your opinion of those programs. When I've gathered most of the information, I'll edit up the finalized post.

 

Also I will be adding ANY program that has anything to do with graphics (I'll add a second section for art in general) So yes, I must sadly include the awful ones as well... (so people know what they've got? any justifiable reason?)

 

*To show the great programs from the bad, I've added a rating. So if you post about a program, rate it on a scale of five, 0 being awful, 5 being amazing.*

 

Content:

Intro/format of entries

Either a short dictionary area or Refer to Lb's Dictionary if you don't know some of these.

Alphabetized list of programs

Actual program 'reviews'

 

The entries will follow this format, if you have something else I should add, please tell me:

 

Program Name:

The Gallery's User Rating:

Type: (Raster/Vector [for non-graphics, point of the program])

Website:

Cost:

Newest (Stable) Version:

Best for:

 

Uses these file formats:

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Review:

 

Current Graphics Program List:

GIMP

Paint

Adobe PhotoShop

Adobe PhotoShop Elements

Adobe Illustrator

InkScape

Paint.NET

Paint Shop Pro

Corel

 

Other Art Programs:

Apophysis

Blender 3D

Terragen

3D Studio Max

Maya

InDesign

Cinema 4D

Vue

Adobe After Effects

Final Cut Pro

iMovie

Windows Movie Maker

 

Video-Editing:

Sony Vegas

Adobe Premire

Windows Movie Maker

 

[spoiler=The GIMP (The GNU Image Manipulation Program)]

Program Name: The GIMP (The GNU Image Manipulation Program)

The Gallery's User Rating:

Type: Raster

Website: http://www.gimp.org

Cost: Free

Newest (Stable) Version: GIMP 2.6.7

Best for: All-around

 

Uses these file formats: .xcf (native), .psd, opens most raster graphics files (.png, .jpg, etc.), opens .svg (but not .eps)

 

Pros:

-Free

-Good for beginners (since it's free and has a resemblance to PS)

-Many tutorials

-Easy to expand your brushes, fonts, and patterns

-Newest version can also use most PS brushes

-Opens most file formats

-Open source, so there are many plugins and add-ons for it

-Works well on PC; both Linux and Windows

 

Cons:

-May start up slowly on slower/older computers

-Not designed for Mac and can only be used on OS X

 

Review:

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Adobe Photoshop]

 

Program Name: Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop, PS

The Gallery's User Rating:

Type: Raster

Website: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/compare/

Cost: $699 US

Newest (Stable) Version: Photoshop CS4

Best for: All-around

 

Uses these file formats: .psd (native), most raster graphics files, most vector graphics files.

 

Pros:

-Powerful graphics editor that works with other Adobe products

-Can be purchased as a suite of programs

-Industry standard

-Works well on both Mac and Windows

-Many tutorials

-Easy to add fonts, brushes, and patterns

-Has a detailed brush options dialog and more layer options than GIMP

 

Cons:

-Rather expensive

 

Review:

 

 

 

[spoiler=Paint]

Program Name: Microsoft Paint, MSPaint, Paint

The Gallery's User Rating:

Type: Raster

Website: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/mspaint_overview.mspx?mfr=true

Cost: Included with all Windows OS

Newest (Stable) Version: N/A

Best for: Pixels

 

Uses these file formats: .bmp (native), .png, .jpg, gif, .tiff. Older versions may not have drop down 'Save as...' options; you must add the .xxx to the end of the file name, and may have restrictions on which file types can be opened/saved.

 

Pros:

-If you use Windows, you have it

-Easy to use tools

-Quick to learn

-Great for traditional pixelling

 

Cons:

-Limited in your file saving options; can't adjust quality

-Does not lend itself to 'serious' graphics editing

 

Review:

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Paint.NET]

Program Name: Paint.NET

The Gallery's User Rating:

Type: Raster

Website: http://www.getpaint.NET

Cost: Free

Newest (Stable) Version: Paint.NET v3.5.2

Best for: All-around

 

Uses these file formats:

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

-This program only runs on newer Windows-based OS (including XP, Vista, and 7)

 

Review:

 

 

 

[spoiler=Blender 3D]Program Name: Blender 3D

The Gallery's User Rating: 9.5

Type: 3D

Website: http://blender.org

Cost: Free/Open source

Newest (Stable) Version: 2.49

Best for: Animation, modeling, games, compositing, video editing, CAD.

 

Uses these file formats: .blend (Also imports many different types of files, including 3d models and mocap, many different video formats, many different raster graphics formats)

 

Pros: Free, open source program that is directly comparable in features to proprietary software such as Maya, Modo, Houdini and in many areas, 3DS Max. The interface of the unstable version as of this writing, 2.5, is incredible and extremely usable, although some people find Blender confusing at first you will find that its interface is incredibly flexible and makes all the sense in the world. The pace of development is insane, and so far the features added in each release have been quite groundbreaking with no sign of stopping.

 

Cons: The stable interface (2.49 as of this writing) is inconsistent in many areas, and there are some big features missing from the stable version like smoke simulation, more advanced NURBS, global illumination/pathtracing/indirect lighting, advanced particle simulation such as SPH particles, good hair simulation, volumetrics, ngons, and a lot of other stuff that is being implemented in the unstable version.

 

Review: Although the stable version lacks many features (See above), it is an excellent 3D program, the only open source graphics program I know of that is comparable to its proprietary counterparts. The interface certainly takes a different approach to what most people are used to, (Its interface is the antithesis of the GIMP) but it so happens that this approach is far better, if you ask me, than even what we normally use. It has many features that people are willing to pay a lot for, such as fluid and cloth simulation.

 

 

 

[spoiler=Final Cut Pro]

Program Name: Final Cut Pro

The Gallery's User Rating: 8

Type: professional video editing software

Website: http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/

Cost: $999.99 (Final Cut Studio)

Newest (Stable) Version: Final Cut Pro 7

Best for: editing short & feature length films

 

Pros: Very popular video editing software among the media industry making it a great tool to learn if you ever want to get into the industry

 

Cons: Expensive, Mac only

 

Review: I use Final Cut Pro for my work editing footage to be place on the internet and for what I use it for on a daily bases I wouldn't recommend using Final Cut Pro unless your creating high quality works like a short film for a school project or something in that nature. For most your home videos you are better off using a simpler product like Final Cut Express which is about $700 cheaper or iMovie or some other inexpensive video editing software, but if you are editing or making a feature length or short film this software is for you.

 

 

 

[spoiler=iMovie]

Program Name: iMovie

The Gallery's User Rating: 9

Type: basic video editing software

Website: http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/

Cost: Free with Apple computer

Newest (Stable) Version: iMovie '09

Best for: editing home videos & small projects

 

Pros: simple, easy to use, free, upload directly to youtube

 

Cons: Mac only

 

Review: Very easy software to use, great for home videos or projects that need basic editing. All around great for simple projects.

 

 

 

[spoiler=3D Studio Max]

Program Name: 3D Studio Max:

The Gallery's User Rating: 9.5

Type: 3D

Website: http://usa.autodesk.com

Cost: $3,900

Newest (Stable) Version: 3D Studio Max 2010

Best for: Modeling, animation, 3D.

 

Uses these file formats: .mdl , .3ds , .obj

 

Pros: Industry standard for most 3D work

 

Cons: Interface can be daunting, although improved in 2010

 

 

 

[spoiler=Terragen]

Program Name: Terragen

The Gallery's User Rating: 9

Type: 3D (landscape)

Website: www.planetside.co.uk

Cost: free for basic, $50 for Terragen, $500+ for Terragen 2

Newest (Stable) Version: Terragen 2

Best for: Landscape design

 

Uses these file formats: .ter , .srf , .atm , .tgo , .tgd

 

Pros: Easy to create high quality landscapes and animations, cheaper (relatively) compared to other 3D alternatives)

 

Cons: Is very procedural based so may not always be able to get pin point perfection

 

 

[Hawks]

Reserved for proofed/final copy.

[Sy_Accursed]

Nice as this is I think your cons are flawed.

I would not class can't open vectors as a con of a graphics editting program.

 

Given that vectors are a HUGELY different graphic type to all others and that you basically need a whole separate program system to work with them very few graphic-editting programs directly deal with vector work and even in top end graphic design software the pros often favour 2 separate software pieces. 1 for image editting and 1 for vector work

[Hawks]

True. I was going to remove that as Wikipedia told me it can open SVG (oddly then they're wrong or there's something up with my copy of GIMP as I can't open them) because I also had that bit under filetypes.

 

If you have pros/cons of any graphics program I'd like to hear them, I've just been thinking of really general ones.

[Ember]

.

[Shin]

Paint Tool Sai is an amazing program for you digital artists out there. If you're interested in an awesome program just PM and i'd be glad to send it to you.

 

But its in Japanese, if you can bare with me.

[Pat_61]

GIMP

 

Pros:

-Free

-Great for beginners - Incorrect, it has a very confusing interface for beginners.

-Many tutorials - Correct, though PS has more

-Easy to expand your brushes, fonts, and patterns Correct, though this is the same with PS

-Opens most file formats

-Open source, so there are many plugins and add-ons for it

 

Cons:

-May start up slowly on slower/older computers

-Can't open vector graphics Incorrect, it can open SVGs.

 

Paint, I would save the native is jpg, just due to the fact that that is what its "save" does...

 

 

Personally I think someone with more experience should do this (Nad, Thru, other names that escape from my mind, even though they probably wouldn't want to), but...

[Hawks]

Sorry, meant that since it's free it's a good alternative to PS for beginners. Will clarify.

 

Haven't gotten to PS pros/cons, so obviously it doesn't say anything about that.

 

And we've addressed the fact that it does open svgs. I just haven't edited it yet.

 

In all versions except Vista and 7, it saves as 24-bit bitmap by default. In Vista it saves as .jpg for some inane reason. In 7 it finally saves as .png by default. .bmp is sort of native to Windows so that's why that's there.

[Kaphias]

How about adding Photoshop Elements to the list? Not sure if anyone here besides me uses it, but it's a very capable program.

[Nadril]

Program Name: 3D Studio Max:

The Gallery's User Rating: 9.5

Type: 3D

Website: http://usa.autodesk.com

Cost: $3,900

Newest (Stable) Version: 3D Studio Max 2010

Best for: Modeling, animation, 3D.

 

Uses these file formats: .mdl , .3ds , .obj

 

Pros: Industry standard for most 3D work

 

Cons: Interface can be daunting, although improved in 2010

 

Program Name: Terragen

The Gallery's User Rating: 9

Type: 3D (landscape)

Website: www.planetside.co.uk

Cost: free for basic, $50 for Terragen, $500+ for Terragen 2

Newest (Stable) Version: Terragen 2

Best for: Landscape design

 

Uses these file formats: .ter , .srf , .atm , .tgo , .tgd

 

Pros: Easy to create high quality landscapes and animations, cheaper (relatively) compared to other 3D alternatives)

 

Cons: Is very procedural based so may not always be able to get pin point perfection

 

Programs you have missed:

 

 

Maya

InDesign

Cinema 4D

Vue

Sony Vegas (video, but counts?)

Adobe Premire (video as well)

[Hawks]

Thanks, I'll add those in. :thumbup:

[stevepole]

Program Name: Final Cut Pro

The Gallery's User Rating: 8

Type: professional video editing software

Website: http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/

Cost: $999.99 (Final Cut Studio)

Newest (Stable) Version: Final Cut Pro 7

Best for: editing short & feature length films

 

Pros: Very popular video editing software among the media industry making it a great tool to learn if you ever want to get into the industry

 

Cons: Expensive, Mac only

 

Review: I use Final Cut Pro for my work editing footage to be place on the internet and for what I use it for on a daily bases I wouldn't recommend using Final Cut Pro unless your creating high quality works like a short film for a school project or something in that nature. For most your home videos you are better off using a simpler product like Final Cut Express which is about $700 cheaper or iMovie or some other inexpensive video editing software, but if you are editing or making a feature length or short film this software is for you.

 

Program Name: iMovie

The Gallery's User Rating: 9

Type: basic video editing software

Website: http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/

Cost: Free with Apple computer

Newest (Stable) Version: iMovie '09

Best for: editing home videos & small projects

 

Pros: simple, easy to use, free, upload directly to youtube

 

Cons: Mac only

 

Review: Very easy software to use, great for home videos or projects that need basic editing. All around great for simple projects.

[Hawks]

Thanks! Also adding Adobe After Effects to the list by suggestion from bballer.

[dsavi]

Program Name: Blender 3D

The Gallery's User Rating: 9.5

Type: 3D

Website: http://blender.org

Cost: Free/Open source

Newest (Stable) Version: 2.49

Best for: Animation, modeling, games, compositing, video editing, CAD.

 

Uses these file formats: .blend (Also imports many different types of files, including 3d models and mocap, many different video formats, many different raster graphics formats)

 

Pros: Free, open source program that is directly comparable in features to proprietary software such as Maya, Modo, Houdini and in many areas, 3DS Max. The interface of the unstable version as of this writing, 2.5, is incredible and extremely usable, although some people find Blender confusing at first you will find that its interface is incredibly flexible and makes all the sense in the world. The pace of development is insane, and so far the features added in each release have been quite groundbreaking with no sign of stopping.

 

Cons: The stable interface (2.49 as of this writing) is inconsistent in many areas, and there are some big features missing from the stable version like smoke simulation, more advanced NURBS, global illumination/pathtracing/indirect lighting, advanced particle simulation such as SPH particles, good hair simulation, volumetrics, ngons, and a lot of other stuff that is being implemented in the unstable version.

 

Review: Although the stable version lacks many features (See above), it is an excellent 3D program, the only open source graphics program I know of that is comparable to its proprietary counterparts. The interface certainly takes a different approach to what most people are used to, (Its interface is the antithesis of the GIMP) but it so happens that this approach is far better, if you ask me, than even what we normally use. It has many features that people are willing to pay a lot for, such as fluid and cloth simulation.