3 replies to this topic

[iDream]

Major Image Editing Programs
Most image editing programs are commercial, and therefore require payment for use. However, trial versions are available and can be used all the same.


Adobe Photoshop CS4
Probably the professional graphic artists best friend. It can be a little confusing if you're a first time user, but hunt for some Photoshop tutorials using Google. These will introduce you to the various and wonderful things you can do in Photoshop.
http://www.adobe.com/products/photos...?promoid=BPDEK


Macromedia Fireworks CS4
An alternative to Photoshop with fewer options and filters, but more user friendly. Great for pixel art. Not as confusing as Photoshop, although you could find tutorials if that would help.

Commercial Product. Trial version
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/i...duct=fireworks


GIMP
A free program for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. I have not personally used GIMP, but it sounds like a great starting point, as it's free and tutorials can be found on their website.

Free Product. Downloads and tutorials at http://www.gimp.org/


Paint.NET
Paint.NET is free image editing and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows. It supports layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools.

Free product. Downloads at http://www.getpaint.net/
Tutorials and Help at http://paintdotnet.12.forumer.com/index.php


Canvas
Canvas is more of a technical drawing application, however it can be used much like Photoshop of Fireworks.

Commerical Product. Download 15 day trial at http://www.download.com/Canvas/3000-...ml?tag=lst-6-1


Corel Paint Shop Pro
Formerly Jasc Paintshop Pro, it's basically a toned down version of Photoshop. A bit more user friendly, and it doesn't have all the really strong graphical features for designers, so it's well suited for begginers.
It has it's own in-built graphics and images to play with, so some good backgrounds can be made without having to go hunting for something to start with.

Commercial Product: 30-day trial available at http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli.../1152796555406



Fractal Art Rendering Programs
I wouldn't recommend getting into these unless you're serious about your graphics. Fractal art is hard to explain. It's basically a math related form of art that makes some pretty sweet abstract graphics. Great for backgrounds.


Apophysis
This little program makes some nice random fractal flames (not fire flames, it's a fractal art term).

Free Product. Downloads and tutorials at http://www.apophysis.org/


Chaoscope
This program supports all kind of fractals, unlike Apophysis. It can also produce solid 3D fractals. Some examples are on the main web page.

Free Product. Downloads and tutorials at http://www.btinternet.com/~ndesprez/


Resources
Resources are an essential for graphic artists. Here are a few for you to use.


deviantART
An online community of graphic designers of all types. Anime, pixel, fractal, vector, etc. Not only does it showcase other people's work, but it also makes resources such as Photoshop Brushes, Patterns and Actions. As well as GIMP Brushes and Actions. Access these by clicking "Categories" > "Resources" > "Application Resources" from the menu.
These are the things you should be using the most. Remember to cite the rightful owners.

http://www.deviantart.com/


dafont.com
A great online font resource. Millions of fonts, all sorted into categories to help you find what you're looking for. I probably use this site the most.

http://www.dafont.com


Good-Tutorials
A wide range of tutorials. A great database of Photoshop tutorials on animation, basics, design, effects and much more. This is a great place to start learning how to use Photoshop.

http://good-tutorials.com/
http://good-tutorials.com/tutorials/photoshop

[Nick Admin]

Nice and easy to follow guide. I have a few you might want to add.

I use these very often when trying to find a good set of colors for a project:
Adobe Kuler: http://kuler.adobe.com/
Color Schemer: http://colorschemer.com/online.html

Some Photoshop / GIMP brush sites may also be good to add.

Keep up the great work! :)

[Lochie]

Cs5 is now out, and you forgot illustrator ;).




Nice guide though.




Regards Lochie.

[AOE]

Thank you for the list of stuff, I appreciate it mate