Recommended Software for Non-Professional Artists

[whittywhit]

Hello All,
I would like to try making my own dvd labels, possibly for uploading. I consider myself intermediate/advanced in computer usage,
and an excellent artist (with pen/pencil & paper). Though I did not study/train in computers or art in college, its more/less a hobby now.

In reviewing the HiRES forums, I'm not clear on which software everyone is using to make such great labels and dvd covers.
Photoshop CS seems TOOO technical, like for computer graphic specialists, engineers, architects, and professional photographers.

Does anyone have any software recommendations for user such as myself ?
(Meaning software with less features, less expensive than PS CS 3,4,5)

If I'm stuck with Photoshop CS 3,4,5, do I need extended or regular version?

[Arkflip]

Hello and welcome to HRC.

I really recomend you to upgrade your Photoshop version to CS3 9.0 or higher in case you're using Photoshop at the moment.
You can also try Corel or something similar but Photoshop is really what you need to start working on your own labels and dvd covers. Try some tutorials at the internet and post your work here, i'm sure me and the guys will help you

You can always scan yout drafts and then we will help you with the Photoshop "problem".

[Bunny Dojo]

Daunting though it may seem, I think Photoshop is really where you want to be. Most templates, tutorials, and friendly advice available to you are going to be via Photoshop. Find a few very basic video tutorials online and learn the starting operations for adding a couple of layers of images and text. Getting started is easy, just temper your expectations at to what you'll be able to do. After a few hours of learning Photoshop, though, you'll be able to do more than if you were to completely master most other options out there. So, if you can, I'd say that's the way to go. And with the templates and poster resources available here, you could be making professional quality labels pretty quickly.

I think the runner up is going to be Gimp, which is available for free. In my experience back in the day, it was about as good as Paint Shop Pro. There are other options out there (and very talented artists here who use them), but those would be my picks.

[gutterballs]

I agree with Tim... If you're not gonna Photoshop, try out Gimp or Microsoft Digital Image Suite. But I think there is a cost for that one. It's what I started using and is fairly intuitive (as is Gimp) but has NO WHERE NEAR the options or quality you will get with Photoshop. I am also more of a hands-on art guy, this omputer stuff is all new to me too. But give it time and lots and lots of practice and you'll get the hang of it!

[whittywhit]

Thanks Everyone who replied thusfar

I'll play around with GIMP first, then buy Paintshop Pro (version x3 right?). My last resort will be the PS C3 or higher. Photoshop is a pricey toy
I'm not ready to fool with for right now!

- whit