Depends on what you'd like to do. As a starter Paint.NET, a freebie, is pretty good. It will familiarize you with working with layers. If you don't mind going up a notch try downloading a trial version of Photoshop. Here is a link: http://www.brothersoft.com/adobe-photoshop-193449.html There are trial versions of Photoshop 7 through 11.0. Here's one you can Google. Its called the Gimp. Basically it is just like photoshop but is open source and a freebie, meaning you don't have to pay for it. Hope you find one you like and happy wall making.

Hey Uvah,

Thanks for the help my friend.  I do have Corel PSP and know layers well.  I'm sorry for confusing you but I am trying to find out how some of the people here make those awesome walls.  What programs do they use to make them or get those effects.  I would like to learn that.  I love them!!!  

Thanks for the help!  

Examples:

https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/wallpapers/45726/

https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/wallpapers/45889/

https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/wallpapers/45836/

https://www.wincustomize.com/explore/logonstudio/9880/

Look for programs that generate fractals like Apophysis or there is Bryce....

Bryce 7.0 is a freebie. http://www.daz3d.com/i/3d-models/-/bryce-7?item=11035&_m=d

You might want to explain that a little Uvah, I see "Your Price: $29.95" on that page, how is it a "freebie"?

Bryce is not free... but at $29.95 it may as well be.

Uvah may have it confused with Daz 3d which sells Bryce7...since there is a free version of Daz3d

Actually Bryce is free but the one they gave me was an earlier version.  When you click on downloads, you will see it there and they even give you the serial number on the DL page, which is, cnet!

I was stunned!  Now all I have to do is learn how to work it!  LOL  Hench... help!  

Thanks everyone!

Here is the link... and you will see it is the FUll Version and Free!

http://download.cnet.com/Bryce-Personal-Learning-Edition/3000-6677_4-75219820.html

If you want to give Apophysis a try you need the original  found here...  http://apophysis.org/index.html  ....  And then get ... 2.09 ... http://sourceforge.net/projects/apophysis/ ..... I use Apophysis 7X-T500 and 7x-normal.   Apophysis is free.

Mandelbulber is also free. It is a 3D fractal program.  In case you want to check it out, it can be found here... http://sourceforge.net/projects/mandelbulber/ ..... 

I hope you find something you like to experiment with!!!

teddybearcholla...Do you know of any Apophysis training for animations? I still want to do that dream for you but have yet to figure out how to batch render it.

CarGuy1,  no I don't, but I can see if I can find something for you!!

CG1, found this (batching about 1/2 way down the page)  http://apophysis.cmptrwhz.com/scripting4.php don't know enough to know if that's what you're looking for?

Maybe this can help?  https://sites.google.com/a/my-fractals.com/www/batchrenderprogram

CarGuy1, i found these...  http://www.biomorphica.com/apophysis/animTutorial/  ... and ...http://apophysis.wikispaces.com/Scripts-Animation .... Perhaps something can help!

Here are some tutorials for just using Photoshop to create wallpapers.

http://thedesignmag.com/55-useful-photoshop-tutorials-on-designing-wallpapers.html

I have Bryce 7.0 and the full version, not the learning one. Had it for over six months now and it was a freebie. I also have Bryce 5.50 and Daz3D. All freebies and I got them from cnet. Maybe they've changed since then, I don't know but I do know I paid zero for them.

My graphics folder.

Hi there Uvah,

I notice that your system is very stressed with the cpu churning away @ 100% and the ram @ 50%..  Do you really need all those graphic tweaking software packs? I ask as counting corel you have 8 separate software packs installed and surely you experience a fair few problems. I'm a total newcomer to the world of graphic manipulation, though I'm an I.T. Technician (Hardware side of things not software) with a successful business I've just decided that I'd like to have a go at making some of the cool eye candy that some of you guys turn out and tbh I'm totally flummoxed as to where to begin.

So far I've downloaded paint.net and PaintTool SAI, I most definitely will not be keeping both  of these as I intend to install Photo shop but which version do you guys recommend?

All input and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

2far

2fargon...having/installing several Graphic programs won't tax your system, only running them all at once 'might' ...

I have several graphic proggies...probably more than 8 ....and even with a dozen instances of PSP6 running at the same time I see no impact at all.

Re Photoshop versions....get the 'latest'/'newest' you can afford....and look forward to an extensive learning curve.  PS is still the 'Industry Standard' used by amateurs and Pros alike.

The most important point, however is that programs do NOT make 'awesome walls'.....'awesome artists' make awesome walls.

Programs are simply the tools used....and have exactly no intrinsic talent of their own....

Hear hear, Paul!

I thought Bryce/Terragen walls weren't allowed into the gallery because a trained monkey could make them.....

Don'tcha know we're the 'Elite' of the trained monkeys. Just ask Anybody.

A few examples of what
will never get through moderation:

    
Britney Spears or
other celebrity wallpapers (see note about copyright above)

    
Bryce
art, unless the result is so astonishing that one could never tell it was done
in Bryce.

I thought so too according to the guidelines but we sure see alot of Bryce that, I personally, do not find astonishing! Perhaps it is time to rewrite the guidelines?