probably asked many a time..: Best program for my personal needs...

[benplaut]

well, i'm sure i'm the ~142 person who's asked this, but...

I have been using Corel Photopaint for a few years now, and recently 'discovered' CorelDRAW (observe sig...), that little side program that's included /DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif . I discovered that i much prefer vector to what Photopaint had to offer, since i like being able to alter images without have to commit to their current state. I love CorelDRAW (i had just bought 12), but am having doubts about whether or not it's the right program for me.

My Criterea:

* Vector Capable
* Easy User Interface (i can't stand how Photoshop has all the free-floating panels&dockers...)
* Downloadable Plugins
* Not a PC killer (mine is not the world's greatest)
* Relatively Shallow learning curve

price is not really an issue, because my b'day is comming up, and i already have gotten assurence that i can get a new program.

the ones i have looked at so far are:

* Xara X (not impressed, dousn't have the easiest interface)
* The GIMP (great program, but the floating dockers...)
* Photoshop (not really for vectors
* Illustrator (haven't really looked at it, but i seems to be a possibility)
* CorelDRAW (relooked, it might be the best choice after-all)

Thanks for your time... this looks like a community i'll stick with /DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

-Ben

CorelDRAW! 12: $180
WACOM Tablet: $100
______________________________
Finding out, after spending 3 years mastering Photopaint when i should have been using CorelDRAW all along: Priceless

There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's common sense.

[tZ]

I have never heard of most those programs on that list... except corel and of course illustrator. There for, i would highly advise the adobe creative suite or just illustrator and photoshop. However, if easy rearrangment is what you are after illustrator over photoshop. I highly recommend illustrator.... its not easy but once you learn it well enough.. the possibilites are endless. Also, if you have photoshop skills.... then the possibilites are even more endless.

[Keyare]

No to Xara.
No to the GIMP.
Yes to Photoshop
Maybe to Illustrator
Yes to Corel

The GIMP is the only thing going for Linux. And it's fun to play with if you want web button mouseover sets REALLY fast. Theres also lots of cool plugins. And free - so play with it but it won't be your most-used tool.It's interface is HIGHLY annoying.
Xara, when I tried it, seemed to not know what it was really for.
Photoshop is better than Photopaint. (I know I used Photo Paint for YEARS but once you start photoshop you find yourself using it more and more)
Illustrator is limited to one page and can't do half the things Corel can do. BUT is necessary if you find yourself using the whole Adobe suite.
Corel can do almost everything the entire Adobe suite does, but at a fraction of the cost. However, SOME people have issues with it. They have usually heard about or had a bad experience in the past.

I can't be impartial because I am a Corel fan. I have used it for thirteen or more years. I've also been in printing business fifteen years. I have tried ALL the software. I use Indesign, Illustrator, Corel, Photoshop and others on a regular basis but if I had limited cash or was limited to one program, it would be Corel.

If you do get Corel, it will also give you a good grounding in general design/printing/prepress concepts without having to purchase a whole suite of programs. The words will be different when you finally get into Adobe, but the concepts are the same.

You seem to have made your decision already. I say it's not wrong.

AVOID: Microsoft Publisher, Printshop.









Post Edited (Keyare) : 2/22/2005 6:00:11 AM GMT

[benplaut]

Keyare said...
No to Xara.
No to the GIMP.
Yes to Photoshop
Maybe to Illustrator
Yes to Corel

The GIMP is the only thing going for Linux. And it's fun to play with if you want web button mouseover sets REALLY fast. Theres also lots of cool plugins. And free - so play with it but it won't be your most-used tool. It's interface is HIGHLY annoying.

Xara, when I tried it, seemed to not know what it was really for.
Photoshop is better than Photopaint. (I know I used Photo Paint for YEARS but once you start photoshop you find yourself using it more and more)
Illustrator is limited to one page and can't do half the things Corel can do. BUT is necessary if you find yourself using the whole Adobe suite.
Corel can do almost everything the entire Adobe suite does, but at a fraction of the cost. However, SOME people have issues with it. They have usually heard about or had a bad experience in the past.

I can't be impartial because I am a Corel fan. I have used it for thirteen or more years. I've also been in printing business fifteen years. I have tried ALL the software. I use Indesign, Illustrator, Corel, Photoshop and others on a regular basis but if I had limited cash or was limited to one program, it would be Corel.

If you do get Corel, it will also give you a good grounding in general design/printing/prepress concepts without having to purchase a whole suite of programs. The words will be different when you finally get into Adobe, but the concepts are the same.


You seem to have made your decision already. I say it's not wrong.


AVOID: Microsoft Publisher, Printshop.

Thanks for you input-very helpful.

well, i guess i'll just stick with Corel, then (i already own a copy).

You seem to have the basic same opinions as me (go figure... another Corel fan...), i just needed backup of what i already knew /DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/tongue.gif

I will reconsider Photoshop... i am just kind of against the main-stream programs /DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/wink.gif .

Well...
Off into the wild transparent gradient blue yonder of graphic-design! /DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

CorelDRAW! 12: $180
WACOM Tablet: $100
______________________________
Finding out, after spending 3 years mastering Photopaint, that i should have been using CorelDRAW all along: Priceless

There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's common sense.

[Drawing a Blank]

Hello benplaut and welcome to the forum.


I have to agree with what Keyare said for the most part. I use both Corel and Adobe on a regular basis and have some issues with each. I don't really want to debate the merits of the programs themselves because it would mostly boil down to personal prefernces. You may want to consider what type of work you will be applying for though. Take a look at the job listings for the type of work you want to do and find out what programs are listed for required knowledge. If you choose Corel now will that be sufficient for your resume in two years when you are applying for jobs? If the answer is yes then your decision is easy. If however the employers for your area and type of work require say Freehand or Illustrator then maybe Corel isn't your best choice. You may need to learn another program in order to get a job and doing it now will be the easiest way.If you want to be working in Dreamweaver in four years what program will mesh best with that? I'm just trying to say that you should look to the future as well as the present to determine your best option.


Good luck, hope this helps


blah blah blah blah blah blah

[morea]

Welcome aboard, benplaut!

I use Adobe Creative Suite, and it really works well for me. I have also heard good things about Corel, but have not used it personally.

You might want to check with any vendors you will be using and make sure that the software you choose is compatible, but both Adobe and Corel seem to be pretty universal.

Good luck!

[I]The more people I meet, the more I love my cats.</A>