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Is there an alternative to Photo Shop? Need input for something I know little about.
Jatman   Intermediate MI USA Member since 6/26/06 Posts: 1306	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/16/12 8:08 AM Hi, Is there a less expensive alternative to Photo Shop? This is all new to me and I'm trying to decide if the cost of Photo Shop is worth it. I'm designing cards and flyers for a small animal rescue I volunteer for and it's all unfamiliar territory for me. Any input from those of you with more experience in this area would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Julie
blessedtosew Intermediate AL USA Member since 4/16/08 Posts: 865	Login to reply to this post In reply to Jatman << Like this post Date: 10/16/12 10:24 AM There is something called "Gimp" that is free to download.
Trinity. Intermediate MA USA Member since 10/9/05 Posts: 1325	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/16/12 11:03 AM Yes, GIMP is an excellent tool and it is free. It does have some limitations, but for some applications, I find it better than PS or PSP. The is also Corel's PaintShopPro, which is less expensive than Photoshop. I personally prefer it in general, but I know that's not true for others. ------ Trinity http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
Sewliz   CO USA Member since 6/22/04 Posts: 4126	Login to reply to this post In reply to Jatman << Like this post Date: 10/16/12 11:29 AM There is Photoshop Elements. It is simpler to use than the full Photoshop and is less expensive. ------ Liz thefittinglife.blogspot.com
nicegirl Intermediate DC USA Member since 5/10/06 Posts: 1634	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/16/12 11:32 AM As mentioned, GIMP is the free program closest to Photoshop. There are many tutorials on YouTube, which you will probably need. It is not a super easy-to-use program, even for someone comfortable with a computer. ------ http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com ================= 2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+ So close to parity, yet so far Trying again in 2008 Yards purchased: 133 Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95 2009? I give up
Mufffet   Intermediate VT USA Member since 8/14/05 Posts: 9013	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/16/12 11:35 AM Here is the best and most full featured app for Windows you can get to not use photoshop, and it is free, and a techie fav. You can do almost anything from basic to advanced with FastStone. It is a follow on to the old Firestone Ember that was a fav back in the 90s and whose creator passed away. FastStone Image Viewer For a Mac there is a wonderful program called GraphicConverter which costs about 35 now and is terrific. GraphicConverter AND, for a simple yet very helpful free app for Windows systems - there is also another techie fav: IrfanView I use 'em all. ------ "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama I have sewing machines
AdaH   Intermediate IA USA Member since 11/21/09 Posts: 2157	Login to reply to this post In reply to Sewliz << Like this post Date: 10/16/12 11:36 AM Looks like there is a free trial download for Photoshop elements. I Googled "photoshop elements". ------ Ada
blue mooney Intermediate TX USA Member since 12/21/02 Posts: 1741	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 10/16/12 12:35 PM Photoshop is great for manipulating photographs and I use it all the time. But if your main goal is to produce cards and flyers, you might want a layout program that handles text more efficiently. Maybe something like Microsoft Publisher. ------ --Robyn sewing blog: http://bluemooney.wordpress.com/ illustration blog: http://storybooky.wordpress.com/
CosmicFabulosity Intermediate VA Member since 12/15/07 Posts: 145	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/16/12 4:46 PM I use Photoshop Elements which has almost any feature the basic user is going to need and still probably verges on being able to do more than most people would need. I've used Photoshop versions 6, 7, CS, CS2 and CS4 at the studio. Well worth every penny, but way more features than a home user would really need. Truth be told, it was mostly overkill for our professional needs as well. EDIT - Argh, missed the part about layout. You might want to look at Publisher, Printshop or there is a home/student version of Corel Draw Suite (I just picked up a copy of that so that I could do similar layout stuff). -- Edited on 10/16/12 4:48 PM -- ------ www.iamchristianmichael.com I'm proof that men really will ask for directions :-D Bernina 240 & 130, Pfaff 1222E & 2020, Singer 503, Janome 3434D, closet way too full of spandex and I think there is a puppy somewhere in this mess.
Fruzzle Intermediate Member since 1/26/07 Posts: 382	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/16/12 4:50 PM I agree with previous responses--you probably don't need photoshop for this. Words + pictures, right? You need something that lets you lay them out on the page, manipulate the layout until you get it just so, then pass it on in a format that works for a printer? MS Publisher is great for this, but you also might be able to do this work with Word by itself, especially if you can print to PDF files, which a print shop should be able to accept.

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