Paint Shop Pro vs. Photo Shop - opinons wanted
Monday, March 12, 2007 by Ingui | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Hey everyone,
First this is not a "bash this app" or "that app". I have been a faithful PSP user since version 5 and bought every version up to Corel's ver. 10. But the main reason has been cost. That is less of an issue these days. I am aware that in skilled hands almost any app will produce great results. I have seen jaw dropping graphics done with MS Paint. But I have never doubted that Photo Shop is a superior product and I want to make what I consider a step up. I have seen demos of features that I have wished for. The program seems more refined and feature rich.
So what I am really looking for is anyone who is familiar with both apps. Particularly versions 8 and up. Are they VERY different or can I expect a pleasant learning experience? I am excited (expecting the package tomorrow) and oddly a little apprehensive.
Thanks for the input
Ciao,
Jason
First this is not a "bash this app" or "that app". I have been a faithful PSP user since version 5 and bought every version up to Corel's ver. 10. But the main reason has been cost. That is less of an issue these days. I am aware that in skilled hands almost any app will produce great results. I have seen jaw dropping graphics done with MS Paint. But I have never doubted that Photo Shop is a superior product and I want to make what I consider a step up. I have seen demos of features that I have wished for. The program seems more refined and feature rich.
So what I am really looking for is anyone who is familiar with both apps. Particularly versions 8 and up. Are they VERY different or can I expect a pleasant learning experience? I am excited (expecting the package tomorrow) and oddly a little apprehensive.
Thanks for the input
Ciao,
Jason
Ingui
Reply #3 Monday, March 12, 2007 8:59 PM
That may be true. It did feel like the Jasc leaving the picture signaled the end of an era.
OK, thanks to both of you. But I am pretty confident I am purchasing a better product. What I am apprehensive about is the learning curve.
Reply #3 Monday, March 12, 2007 8:59 PM
but what do I know, I can'tuse any of them. I just paid for them
Just a guess but I doubt PSP will be around much longer.
That may be true. It did feel like the Jasc leaving the picture signaled the end of an era.
PS.. hands down...no comparison.
OK, thanks to both of you. But I am pretty confident I am purchasing a better product. What I am apprehensive about is the learning curve.
Island Dog
Reply #4 Monday, March 12, 2007 9:01 PM
Reply #4 Monday, March 12, 2007 9:01 PM
I have used both and Photoshop was always the best in my opinion. I also recommend Photoshop Elements for those who don't want or need the full version of PS.
unclerob
Reply #5 Monday, March 12, 2007 9:02 PM
Reply #5 Monday, March 12, 2007 9:02 PM
anyone try fireworks?
- I find it much easier to use than photoshop cs2
I think the only thing I can't do in fireworks that I can do in ps cs2 is export an image as a 32bit .bmp file (24bit color, 8bit transparency). Fireworks deals mainly in .png's, it can work with other image formats but when exporting .bmp's, 24bit is the limit. Other than that, for ease of use, I don't think fireworks can be beat. I find ps ui to be cluttered and non-intuitives, and working with layers is much easier in fireworks. I'm not a photoshop expert so don't take my word as gospel.
I know this was a discussion between both psp & ps but I thought I would mention fireworks, adobe is still supporting fireworks even after they gobbled up macromedia, apparently they think it's worth keeping (which possibly speaks of the quality of the fireworks product).
- I find it much easier to use than photoshop cs2
I think the only thing I can't do in fireworks that I can do in ps cs2 is export an image as a 32bit .bmp file (24bit color, 8bit transparency). Fireworks deals mainly in .png's, it can work with other image formats but when exporting .bmp's, 24bit is the limit. Other than that, for ease of use, I don't think fireworks can be beat. I find ps ui to be cluttered and non-intuitives, and working with layers is much easier in fireworks. I'm not a photoshop expert so don't take my word as gospel.
I know this was a discussion between both psp & ps but I thought I would mention fireworks, adobe is still supporting fireworks even after they gobbled up macromedia, apparently they think it's worth keeping (which possibly speaks of the quality of the fireworks product).
Ingui
Reply #6 Monday, March 12, 2007 9:18 PM
Reply #6 Monday, March 12, 2007 9:18 PM
Shows what I know about fireworks. I never knew you could draw with it, I thought it was only for web/flash developement, if that makes sense.
btw... the suite I purchased also comes with dreamweaver 8. It wasn't a factor in my decision, but maybe I should learn more about it
anyone familiar with that app?
btw... the suite I purchased also comes with dreamweaver 8. It wasn't a factor in my decision, but maybe I should learn more about it
anyone familiar with that app?
jazzymjr
Reply #7 Monday, March 12, 2007 9:41 PM
Reply #7 Monday, March 12, 2007 9:41 PM
I use BOTH PSP 8 and Photoshop. Photoshop does a lot that PSP cannot do. But PSP does some things easier than Photoshop. Photoshop has a pretty large learning curve, but I would recommend it to anyone. I think a lot of folks use a couple of programs for their graphics owrk.
ama02
Reply #8 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 2:08 AM
Reply #8 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 2:08 AM
I've been using PSP since version 7...but have settled on 10. I also have Photoshop CS2, and as jazzmjr stated, the learning curve is fairly large. I suppose it's because I'm so used to the PSP way of doing things, but I find I get more frustrated with Photoshop, trying to do what normall takes a couple of quick clicks in PSP. I end up spending half my time reading through the help files, lol! Anyway, if you have patience (and maybe a decent PS book) you should probably be able to tansition over without much problem (unlike me). I do use PS sometimes, but I use PSP most of the time.
Oh, I also bought the Macromedia Suite 8 (just as Adobe was acquiring them) which comes with Dreamweaver, which was my main reason for getting it. I really like Flash Paper and use that all the time to save webpages as pdf files. I've fiddled around a little with Fireworks, and had similar experience as PS. It's a bit different from the others, but it is very handy for making nice web graphics.
Good luck!
Oh, I also bought the Macromedia Suite 8 (just as Adobe was acquiring them) which comes with Dreamweaver, which was my main reason for getting it. I really like Flash Paper and use that all the time to save webpages as pdf files.
I've fiddled around a little with Fireworks, and had similar experience as PS. It's a bit different from the others, but it is very handy for making nice web graphics.Good luck!
cybermessiah
Reply #9 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 3:10 AM
Reply #9 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 3:10 AM
Ive been using PSP for like 10 years now..ever since v4. Currently I use v7.04 AE, and, having used Photoshop as well, my thoughts are that there isnt much u cant do in PSP that u can do in Photoshop. The secret is PLUGINS. Get urself a good set of plugins and learn how to use them....and a fair majority of the plugins that are used in PS are also compatable with PSP.
I must admit that at first glance PSP looks not nearly advanced as PS, but after I spent time to look into how to use PSP's layer, mask and alpha channels poperly, I really think that the proggie is as equally impressive as PS. Again, remember that ur plugins are most valuable.
Here are some of the plugins that I use with PSP:
*Alien Skin Eye Candy Plugins (for effects such as smoke glass and textures)
*Auto FX Software Plugin (in particular Mystical Lighting)
*Axialis Icon Workshop (while standalone it also acts as a plugin for PSP)
*Creativity Text Art(Great plugin for special text effects)
*Fixerlabs Filters (for focus, noise and shadow)
*KPT 4, 5 & 6 (for textures and lighting)
*Lokas Software (textures such as glass and plastic)
*Nik color Efex Pro 2 cororising and stylizing plugin (Awsome set of plugins for color
contrasts and toning)
*Right Hemisphere Deep Paint 9 amazing sets of brushes for painting and lighting effects)
* Extensis MaskPro (great masking plugin)
There are alot more plugins out there that can help you achieve the results u want and any good grafix software is, I really believe, only as good as the plugins it supports.
Another good idea, if you have PSP, is to hunt around on the web for tubes and patterns and build up ur collection. Once this is done there isnt much that u cant do with PSP. Get to know ur software inside and out.
Cheers.
I must admit that at first glance PSP looks not nearly advanced as PS, but after I spent time to look into how to use PSP's layer, mask and alpha channels poperly, I really think that the proggie is as equally impressive as PS. Again, remember that ur plugins are most valuable.
Here are some of the plugins that I use with PSP:
*Alien Skin Eye Candy Plugins (for effects such as smoke glass and textures)
*Auto FX Software Plugin (in particular Mystical Lighting)
*Axialis Icon Workshop (while standalone it also acts as a plugin for PSP)
*Creativity Text Art(Great plugin for special text effects)
*Fixerlabs Filters (for focus, noise and shadow)
*KPT 4, 5 & 6 (for textures and lighting)
*Lokas Software (textures such as glass and plastic)
*Nik color Efex Pro 2 cororising and stylizing plugin (Awsome set of plugins for color
contrasts and toning)
*Right Hemisphere Deep Paint 9 amazing sets of brushes for painting and lighting effects)
* Extensis MaskPro (great masking plugin)
There are alot more plugins out there that can help you achieve the results u want and any good grafix software is, I really believe, only as good as the plugins it supports.
Another good idea, if you have PSP, is to hunt around on the web for tubes and patterns and build up ur collection. Once this is done there isnt much that u cant do with PSP. Get to know ur software inside and out.
Cheers.
WOM
Reply #10 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 8:08 AM
Reply #10 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 8:08 AM
From reading, listening to people, I would throw my weight to Corel Draw because of the vectors and the fact they bought Jasic to get the minds of the people that worked there to add those elements that PSP could dop that CorelDraw couldn't or not very good.
ama02
Reply #11 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:01 PM
Paint Shop Pro does have vector object creation/editing capabilities.
Reply #11 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:01 PM
PSP can't do vectors.
Paint Shop Pro does have vector object creation/editing capabilities.
Koasati
Reply #12 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:26 PM
Corel is a company ...... I think you mean "Corel DRAW"
It most certainly can. Evey dock icon, and background in my ObjectDock libary were created using the vector tools in PSP 8, and/or 10.
Reply #12 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:26 PM
Corel is primarily a vector program.
Corel is a company ...... I think you mean "Corel DRAW"
PSP can't do vectors
It most certainly can. Evey dock icon, and background in my ObjectDock libary were created using the vector tools in PSP 8, and/or 10.
Kinjin
Reply #13 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:40 PM
Reply #13 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:40 PM
I use both PSP and PS. I am self taught on both, so I probably have alot of deficiencies and am not using either to thier full potential. But, in my experience each program does different things more easily than the other. Examples: The bevel/buttonize/cutout features, and centering images seem to be easier in PSP. While inner/outer glow and glass effects are easier in Photoshop. I started in PSP and it seemed to be easier to learn than PS. I have found as I have gotten better at skinning, I use PS more than PSP and seem to be able to create more advanced things with it. Just my 2 cents
BuddhaV10
Reply #14 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 1:09 PM
Reply #14 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 1:09 PM
PS, although i have used both, seems to be the best. if you want numero uno quality, than i have absolutely loved my CS2. cost a lot more, but offers some features that make up the cash. PSP is also solid, and like Kinjin, i used PSP first, then worked up to PS, both are still on this PC, and both still rock! but PS is my main tool now for anything photo or skin related... 
Corky_O
Reply #15 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 1:44 PM
Reply #15 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 1:44 PM
It sounds like you might have ordered Adobe CS2.3 package, if so - then you will have all the applications you need for just about any graphics work.
In any case, I would suggest looking for the following books (used would be best).
Photoshop CS2 Classroom in a Book (Adobe press) - they also published versions for Adobe CS programs.
Photoshop CS2 Studio Techniques (Ben Willmore) - this author really makes learning Photoshop fun and his approach is unlike the classic text book approach.
If you can find these used (probably around $20) then you will have a good source of learning the basics for a good foundation to use the programs in your own style. Note - the Adobe press books are also part of the certification program offered by Adobe in case you opt for that path in the future.
Ingui
Reply #16 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 6:07 PM
Reply #16 Tuesday, March 13, 2007 6:07 PM
jazzymjr, ama02 - exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for.
cybermessiah- Thanks for the tip, but I tried quite a few filters, many of the ones you mentioned and learned pretty quickly that it was unsatisfying. In fact I have not loaded any into PSP 10. I would rather create the effect myself. If I cannot create the effect myself or it not create it well enough, I would rather omit it from my work until I learn how to.
WOM - I seriously considered Corel Draw, one reason comes to mind. Mormegil. I believe he uses it, and reading some of his tutorials... the control over gradients for example, anyway, Mormegil could probably make great art with a stone wall and some berry juice. I reminded myself that it's not the app, but the artist and so I want to learn on what is considered the Industry Standard.
Koasati- You are of course correct, I have used vectors in PSP for almost everything I have done lately.
Kinjin and BuddhaV10- Thanks again. More of the kind of info I am after.
Corky_O- You are quite right. CS2.3 Premium. The lastest versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, GoLive, VersionCue, Bridge, Stock Photos, Acrobat 8 Pro, and Dreamweaver 8. Hopefully I have the time and aptitude to master them all. Fortunatelt, I actually do have a use for them all. Thanks for pointing me to the books, I will absolutely be looking for one or all of them. Thanks again
And now, my package is here at my desk at home, I anxiously tracked it's travel online as ups brought it cross country to New York, and after it;s arrival,stared at it on my desk at work for half a day. Spent an hour in traffic with it riding shotgun. So... I am about to plunge into a 9 disk install. With any luck I may have time to play tonight.
Thanks agian to EVERYONE for the input. See ya around soon.
Regards,
Jason
cybermessiah- Thanks for the tip, but I tried quite a few filters, many of the ones you mentioned and learned pretty quickly that it was unsatisfying. In fact I have not loaded any into PSP 10. I would rather create the effect myself. If I cannot create the effect myself or it not create it well enough, I would rather omit it from my work until I learn how to.
WOM - I seriously considered Corel Draw, one reason comes to mind. Mormegil. I believe he uses it, and reading some of his tutorials... the control over gradients for example, anyway, Mormegil could probably make great art with a stone wall and some berry juice.
I reminded myself that it's not the app, but the artist and so I want to learn on what is considered the Industry Standard.Koasati- You are of course correct, I have used vectors in PSP for almost everything I have done lately.
Kinjin and BuddhaV10- Thanks again. More of the kind of info I am after.
Corky_O- You are quite right. CS2.3 Premium. The lastest versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, GoLive, VersionCue, Bridge, Stock Photos, Acrobat 8 Pro, and Dreamweaver 8. Hopefully I have the time and aptitude to master them all. Fortunatelt, I actually do have a use for them all. Thanks for pointing me to the books, I will absolutely be looking for one or all of them. Thanks again
And now, my package is here at my desk at home, I anxiously tracked it's travel online as ups brought it cross country to New York, and after it;s arrival,stared at it on my desk at work for half a day. Spent an hour in traffic with it riding shotgun. So... I am about to plunge into a 9 disk install. With any luck I may have time to play tonight.
Thanks agian to EVERYONE for the input. See ya around soon.
Regards,
Jason
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Reply #1 Monday, March 12, 2007 8:28 PM
Corel is primarily a vector program.. Photo Shopis not but can do vectors. PSP can't do vectors. By buying PSP corel is trying to incorperate the best in non vectors and vectors to unseat PhotoShop. PSP is what $130....PhotoShop is what, $600 and Corel Draw I don't know. Just my take, but what do I know, I can'tuse any of them. I just paid for them.
Just a guess but I doubt PSP will be around much longer.