Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

rowelld · Mar 12, 2006, 01:33 AM

I just got a macbook and I was wondering what good software is out there similar to photoshop?

Chuckit · Mar 12, 2006, 01:37 AM

Similar in what sense? You might look at the GIMP or something. There really is no substitute for Photoshop if you really need Photoshop, though.

rowelld · Mar 12, 2006, 01:41 AM

im just looking for a program that works like it. Doesnt have to be the same. I'm just using it for web design mostly and for photos. I have a Macbook. I may be making logos and such

iREZ · Mar 12, 2006, 03:19 AM

90% logo design should be made in illustrator.

Kevin · 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by iREZ

90% logo design should be made in illustrator.

Worth repeating.

If you are doing logo design or layout in Photoshop, you don't have a clue.

What happens is, a person spends all of his or her time learning just Photoshop, and does everything in it. Not really knowing WHY it would be better in Illustrator.

They put out 2nd rate work as far as quality goes, and they don't even know it.

That is an easy way to tell the difference between a professional and a hack.

art_director · Mar 12, 2006, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Kevin

Worth repeating.

If you are doing logo design or layout in Photoshop, you don't have a clue.

What happens is, a person spends all of his or her time learning just Photoshop, and does everything in it. Not really know WHY it would be better in Illustrator.

They put out 2nd rate work as far as quality goes, and they don't even know it.

That is an easy way to tell the difference between a professional and a hack.

continuing this thought...

a logo should almost never be created in pshop. the reaason is that pixel-based art – what pshop produces – will not scale well. blowing it up will result in pixelated images.

illustrator is vector-based and can be scaled up 1000% without losing any quality. for this reason most logos are created in such an app. as with anything there are rare exceptions.

art_director · Mar 12, 2006, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by iREZ

90% logo design should be made in illustrator.

dare i rise that to 99% ?

production_coordinator · Mar 12, 2006, 10:44 AM

Logos = Illustrator
Layout = QuarkXPress/InDesign

greenamp · Mar 12, 2006, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by production_coordinator

Logos = Illustrator
Layout = QuarkXPress/InDesign

Sage · Mar 12, 2006, 02:58 PM

Fireworks also works well if you need both bitmap and vector editing, though it’s not as feature-rich as either PS or Illustrator (but it does what I need it to do very well

).

iREZ · Mar 14, 2006, 04:43 AM

freehand is ok too..i hate it, but it's ok.

Apfhex · Mar 14, 2006, 05:17 AM

There's also Photoshop Elements, if the original OP can't afford Photoshop, but needs a raster-based program like it. Chuckit already mentioned GIMP, which people like to cite as a free alternative to Photoshop. It's not even close to replacing it, but it *is* free, so it's worth trying out.

art_director · Mar 14, 2006, 08:39 AM

Apfhex:

I've never used GIMP but have heard many good reports. Sounds like you have experience with the program. What are the key differences between it and PShop?

ism · Mar 14, 2006, 08:54 AM

On the cheap: http://www.inkscape.org/

Thorzdad · Mar 15, 2006, 11:53 AM

The GIMP isn't as full-featured or well-integrated as Photoshop. And its interface is very clunky. Mainly, it's chief advantage is price. That and its geek cred. That said, it IS a good image editor. Just not as powerful or polished as Photoshop.
If you are serious about doing any sort of professional-level image manipulation/editing, you really should get Photoshop and be done with it. Barring that, Elements is a good place to start

olePigeon · Mar 17, 2006, 05:34 PM

You could also look into Photoshop Elements.

Amorya · Mar 17, 2006, 08:13 PM

Well, Photoshop can do vector stuff, so doing a logo in it is not the end of the world... I would not recommend it though, it's an exercise in frustration!

Amorya

travisimo · Mar 21, 2006, 11:43 PM

you know.. i prefer to use gif animator pro for all my layouts.. and mspaint for logos.. it's provides me with that "i don't know what the f... i'm doing" look i continually strive for.

Macola · Mar 22, 2006, 11:59 AM

Anyone remember Deneba Artworks (I think) back in the System 7 days? I seem to recall doing a couple of logos with that. I haven't tried Canvas lately (which is what Artworks became) but I think it's still around.