Corel Paintshop Pro X2

I have noticed that just about everyone on here uses Adobe. Since I'm just beginning and don't have any income yet to save and purchase that ($600 is A LOT of money for me at this point), I went out and got the Corel. Do you guys think this will be enough until I am finally able to really get some business going and get the money? To this point, it seems to be working fine for me, but what are the drawbacks for those who have used both Corel and Adobe?

by corel, you mena PSP right? i think you'll be happy with its performance considering the price. i myself use PSP X2 (upgrade from XI). one drawback i guess is less support like books/tutorials.

i am using PSP X2 all the time... and for my level of money and experience it is just prefect... fits my wallet and mind for now... and i am on my way to learn CS3 too...

I can't keep all the initials of everything straight. Maybe in time I'll be able to. I've not been on this forum very long. Haven't I seen someone refer to Adobe as PSP on here too?

f8ed4photography wrote in post #4464159
I can't keep all the initials of everything straight. Maybe in time I'll be able to. I've not been on this forum very long. Haven't I seen someone refer to Adobe as PSP on here too?

i didn't mean to confuse you Paintshop Pro (PSP) by Corel and Photoshop/Lightroom/PS Elements, etc. by Adobe

You can always try GIMPshop

--Click to learn more--

--and more info here--

Heck, its free (open source) and it works similar to Photoshop. not as powerful but you can not beat it for free...

or, are you eligible for a student rate for photoshop?

Just as Volkswagen is the poor persons BMW, so is Paint Shop Pro compared to PhotoShop. PSP Xx is a great program (as is Photoshop) & very capable if you take the time to learn it. I personally don't need all the extra horsepower (and power requirements) that PhotoShop has although I'm sure many do (or think they do). PSP has a very uncluttered workspace, and can be customized, which I like. For image editing (such as retouching) PSP is even more than most need.

Yeah, PSP is a great program that I can no longer use since I switched to mac. It has many of the same things that photoshop has and can do them just as well. But, like someone said, people don't write about PSP. Just about every book/tutorial is for photoshop as well as what people talk about here at POTN. You can do a lot with the program if you are patient and experiment with things. And there ARE books out there - but easier to find online.

Stefan

f8ed4photography wrote in post #4461737
I have noticed that just about everyone on here uses Adobe. Since I'm just beginning and don't have any income yet to save and purchase that ($600 is A LOT of money for me at this point), I went out and got the Corel. Do you guys think this will be enough until I am finally able to really get some business going and get the money? To this point, it seems to be working fine for me, but what are the drawbacks for those who have used both Corel and Adobe?

Never used Corel's product myself, though have been tempted to lately.

But don't forget that Adobe DOES have a less expensive option with photoshop Elements 6... usually can find it for about $80 around here. If you plan on eventually buying Full photoshop CS down the road, the tool names and functionality are almost exactly the same, so for learning purposes it would be a good choice I think... though I'm sure basic idea of layers, curves, etc are similar, at least, in Corel's product.

As mentioned, Gimp is a free alternative, and quite good. But tool names, icons, etc can be quite a bit different than in Photoshop. The "gimpshop" dos better by renaming and reorganizing the tools, but is typicaly several versions back from the latest version of the Gimp so missing many of tools and functions currently available. (haven't checked gimpshop lately to see, however.)

--edit--
Just reread your post, and realize you already HAVE corel... so ignore most of the post above, sorry for not reading closer.
Honestly, I think Corel should suit you fine... some here who do paid work use it, and are quite pleased. As I said, the tools are likely quite similar, and once you're comfortable using them, the experience should at least help you jump into Photoshop down the road should you choose to.

Thanks for all the comments. A guy at school did suggest Gimp when I said I couldn't afford Photoshop... that was before I got the PSPX2. I had used a couple trial version of PSPX2 and had actually just started to learn some of how to use it and then I managed to find it on sale $30 off so I went with it. Maybe some of you can answer this question for me...
Does Corel PSPX2 handle RAW files? From what I can tell it doesn't, but I thought some of you that have used it would know better than me. If it doesn't, what about GIMP? Does that? I need something to handle my RAW files when I DO shoot them. I don't often unless it's photos I really want to play with later because I am just not that advanced yet, but I will definately need it later down the road. THANKS ALL!

It does RAW but, not near as good (in my opinion) as Canons' own Digital Photo Pro software.

Tixeon wrote in post #4471319
It does RAW but, not near as good (in my opinion) as Canons' own Digital Photo Pro software.

I'd start with Canon's DPP also when shooting RAW... its very good, and not the typical "junk" software that often comes with computer hardware... very capable...

As strictly a hobbyist, my RAW workflow is generally as follows:

1. transfers images to HD from CF
2. Open in DPP to make any exposure and WB adjustments
3. Batch convert to TIFFs
4. Open Tiffs in PSPX2 for any additional fixes (cloning, cropping, straightening, etc.)
5. Save copy as to jpeg for upload to web.

I'm sure a bunch of pros will tell you to get Lightroom, CS3 or whatever other insanely expensive Adobe program is out there.

In my limited Experience, PSPX2 has a ton of tools and features that I'll probably never even have the time to figure out.

Actually, since Ginger says she is a student in her profile, she is eligible for student discounts on Adobe software. Lightroom is less than $100 with the ed discount. I have just started using Lightroom and I think it is a great program. If you are shooting Raw exclusively, I would consider Lightroom. The majority of your PP can take place in that - as well as a good organization system. If you need to get more specific with your shots, then you have PSP for that.

Stefan

Stefan A wrote in post #4475502
Actually, since Ginger says she is a student in her profile, she is eligible for student discounts on Adobe software. Lightroom is less than $100 with the ed discount. I have just started using Lightroom and I think it is a great program. If you are shooting Raw exclusively, I would consider Lightroom. The majority of your PP can take place in that - as well as a good organization system. If you need to get more specific with your shots, then you have PSP for that.

Stefan

Wow... didn't know that about the student discounts. I'll have to look into that when I get my next loan check. Sounds like it might be worth checking into that Lightroom to handle my RAW shots. Thanks everyone!