This may have already been asked...

[ChaoticKnight]

but apparently not in awhile because I checked back and I'm in a hurry.
Painter, photoshop, or both?
What makes them so different and which one is better? (If possible to know.)

[SteveO]

There's a Painter v Photoshop thread about half way down the forum, should clear things up.

[Jin]

Hi,

Though you've already been referred to another thread where you'll read more, the following will give you a quick idea and some links:

Any artist is fortunate to own both programs as they compliment each other nicely.

Neither is better, overall. Both are complex and powerful programs. Each is designed for specific purposes. Each excels in its own specific ways.

An extremely oversimplified definition of the two programs:

Adobe Photoshop is a digital darkroom.

Corel Painter is a digital art studio.

However, each program provides a wide range of capabilities and there are many overlaps in these two programs' capabilities.

While Photoshop's best known capability is photo/image editing, it's also used for painting and other art related tasks.

While Painter is best known for its highly advanced brush technology and simulation of traditional drawing and painting tools, it's also used for photo/image editing and other art related tasks.

The quickest way for you to learn what each of these programs offers is to download the trial versions and play with them as much as possible during the trial period.

You'll have to check on the Adobe site to learn where you can download a trial version (if in fact there is one, which I've been told there is).

The free 30 day trial version of Corel Painter IX can be downloaded here:

Corel Painter IX Website (http://www.corel.com/painterix/home/index.html)

While you're there, follow all of the links and take time to read about Corel Painter IX, look at artwork done by Painter masters, and read what they have to say.

Also, be sure to read the Corel Painter IX newsletter, The Painter Canvas. Each issue contains tutorials and free custom brush downloads, plus interesting articles by Painter artists and often they include and article by one of the original Painter developers, John Derry.

Corel Painter IX Newsletter, The Painter Canvas - Previous Issues (http://www.corel.com/painterix/community/newsletter.html)

Corel Painter IX Newsletter, The Painter Canvas - May 2005 Issue (http://www.corel.com/painterix/community/newsletter/2005-05/index.html)


Jinny