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manival · Nov 15, 2008, 11:42 PM

I have a Macbook Pro with leopard operating system. I have not yet purchased any graphics and am ready to do so, but would appreciate some advice on different programs. My intent is to manipulate photos, make labels. cards, etc. something similar to paintshop pro for Mac, don't want to invest in photoshop. Thank you.

Thorzdad · Nov 17, 2008, 07:03 AM

There's Photoshop Elements. Basically a stripped-down consumer version of Photoshop.
There's also the GIMP, but it's a lot more involved just to install completely. But, it's more full-featured, like Photoshop. And it's free.

crazyreaper · Nov 17, 2008, 08:37 AM

maybe try Pixelmator i used the demo for it a while back and was very impressed, improved GUI over PS and for $59 im sure thats not a bad price, u can do everything you can do in photoshop and a bit more. i think if u download the app u can run as a demo, see what you think.

matt

manival · Nov 27, 2008, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by manival

i have a macbook pro with leopard operating system. I have not yet purchased any graphics and am ready to do so, but would appreciate some advice on different programs. My intent is to manipulate photos, make labels. Cards, etc. Something similar to paintshop pro for mac, don't want to invest in photoshop. Thank you.

thanks! I will check into the software you suggested and appreciate your response. Manival

manival · Nov 27, 2008, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by crazyreaper

maybe try pixelmator i used the demo for it a while back and was very impressed, improved gui over ps and for $59 im sure thats not a bad price, u can do everything you can do in photoshop and a bit more. I think if u download the app u can run as a demo, see what you think.

Matt

thanks for your response! I'm checking out your suggested software. I have a little time yet and would love to hear some more remarks or opinions. Thanks in advance.

manival · Nov 27, 2008, 02:55 PM

Thanks for your responses. I'm still undecided, although i had great fun checking out the ones that were suggested, i would appreciate it if anyone has any other suggestions or comments about the suggested software. Manival

Mackbhau · Dec 1, 2008, 03:09 AM

Well, there are Logo Creator softwares available. You can go for it. Pixelmator is another application used for photo, logos and graphic design. Demo versions are available online and I think you can download the application and try once.

hedmisten · Dec 8, 2008, 09:46 PM

I am using the cs4 suite now because I am addicted to upgrading the Adobe Suite, however, the Corel suite is pretty sweet. Corel Draw does photo manipulation and vector art. Just a thought.

red rocket · Dec 9, 2008, 05:41 AM

I was recently forced to use CorelDRAW for preparing some files for a laser cutter, and frankly, I think it’s a godawful application with a hideous interface and extremely lousy compatibility. Add to that the fact that Corel have stopped developing the entire Graphics Suite for Mac in 2002, it makes for a jolly good case not to recommend the stuff to anybody.

hedmisten · Dec 9, 2008, 12:26 PM

Oh wow. I use corel every once in a while to prepare artwork for our vinyl plotter. I use it on a PC, but it is the whole suite.

I pull back my suggestion for Corel. I don't use it often, which shows.

Veltliner · Dec 10, 2008, 09:26 PM

A suggestion to the OP:

If you intend to buy a scanner or a graphics tablet, Photoshop Elements sometimes comes with it free.

If you are only interested in working on photos, you camera may come with a free RAW converter.

Depending on how deep you want to go into graphics software, part of your investment will not only be the money you spend for the software.

Don't forget the time.

So it is a good idea to invest that time into the standard software, Photoshop, or, at least, into Elements.

Are you a student? If yes, then go for Photoshop. It's so much cheaper for students.

I do not think Photoshop has an awkward interface, as someone above mentioned. You habe to get used to it, especially to the weird names of the tools, but once you have it, it's very intuitive, and each process can be done in different ways. It's possibly one of the hardest pieces of software out there, so you have to be serious about it.

crazyreaper · Dec 11, 2008, 03:50 AM

did u know that the student photoshop/CS you can only legally use as a student and not legally produce any work out side of your course, e.g. for live clients

red rocket · Dec 11, 2008, 04:46 AM

Interesting. I didn’t even know there was a student version. I thought you could use your student status to get a discount on the full version, which you could then continue to use commercially. If that isn’t the case and there are actual discernible differences between full PS and student PS, as with ArchiCAD for instance, then of course you are absolutely correct.

Thorzdad · Dec 11, 2008, 07:44 AM

The Photoshop that you buy with your student discount is the full commercial version. The EULA that comes with the student purchase does, indeed, state you cannot use it for commercial purposes. Whether you obey the EULA completely is, of course, a personal ethical decision.

While not advocating anyone violate the student EULA, I know many, many, many, many beginning artists who used their student software commercially in order to get their businesses up-and-running. They later upgraded to the full commercial license.

crazyreaper · Dec 11, 2008, 08:21 AM

yer the CS you get is the full CS like you would at full price, but like jim says theres a different 'license' cause i think technicaly with Adobe you dont buy the softwear you by a lisence to use the softwear, and the student one states you can only use it while in full time education and once your not in full time education technically your contract is ended.

im in my last year now and need to decided what i do, weather i got for full CS one ive graduated or go for student and break the "EULA", any thought?

Veltliner · Dec 13, 2008, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by crazyreaper

did u know that the student photoshop/CS you can only legally use as a student and not legally produce any work out side of your course, e.g. for live clients

As far as I know you have no trouble to create work outside your university or college. When a software company sells student versions, it's kind of clear that those students will take on first, small jobs to prove themselves and earn a little bit.

I repeatedly heard that you can use the software afterwards for professional purposes. Upgrades will be at the normal price once you quit being a student. I guess this means that Adobe will get their share, as most Photoshop users upgrade rather regularly (but I heard of people still using Photoshop 4).

I'm ad libbing this, please go to adobe.com, where you can find details to it.

red rocket · Dec 13, 2008, 06:56 AM

Once you’re on their website, you might want to check if you can end up paying for PS, as a student, without having to agree to a non-commercial-use clause.
If you can get through to the checkout without doing that, and only are informed of the restriction after you have paid them, in the EULA, then you can also argue that Adobe are using false advertising and that consequently, the clause is not legally binding.

andi*pandi · Dec 15, 2008, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by crazyreaper

did u know that the student photoshop/CS you can only legally use as a student and not legally produce any work out side of your course, e.g. for live clients

There was a whole thread here where we discussed this, and the upshot was it is ok to use student licensed versions for paid work.

crazyreaper · Dec 19, 2008, 09:41 AM

The Student Edition is for home use by students only

taken from the product page fore the educational prices

shifuimam · Dec 23, 2008, 04:53 PM

You might try Seashore, too. It's simpler than GIMP, free, and gets the job done for basic stuff.

andi*pandi · Dec 24, 2008, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by crazyreaper

taken from the product page fore the educational prices

Link? Perhaps they changed the text from when we last looked. I am looking for that and can't find it. I can find the student requirements for buying, but nothing stating you have to repurchase your software after graduation or when you no longer qualify. I think they assume you will upgrade eventually.

http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/view...5273&sliceId=1
https://store1.adobe.com/education/p...g/qualify.html
https://store1.adobe.com/education/p...n_pricing.html

Thorzdad · Dec 24, 2008, 01:41 PM

Look, guys. This debate over whether or not it's a violation of the EULA to use the student versions for commercial work is somewhat moot. All Adobe is concerned about in the EULA is keeping established businesses from doing an end-run and buying their apps and upgrades through a school connection. It's long been acknowledged that students fresh out of school are going to keep using the student packages until such time that they decide to upgrade, at which time they will have to pay real-world prices. That's the way it's always worked.