Which Photoshop???

[graham5]

Which Photoshop software is the best out there ( or the one most of you guys are using) to create these beautiful smudge paintings? Photoshop cs4 extended sounds like it can do anything. Anyone using it?

[Tareq]

Yes, go with the latest, i think you can do with CS2 or CS3, but i use now CS4 and i never look back even i have CS2 before and tested CS3 as well, CS4 all what you need.

[graham5]

Great. Thanks for the input. Looking to get the CS4. I currently use the Paint Shop Pro, but I see so much better pictures/paintings used with the photoshop. Ready to make the switch.

[palms]

Originally Posted by graham5

Which Photoshop software is the best out there ( or the one most of you guys are using) to create these beautiful smudge paintings? Photoshop cs4 extended sounds like it can do anything. Anyone using it?

smudge paintings can be done in ps7 so which ever your bank balance can afford,and which you would have most use of (bit of a waste to get cs4 just to do smudge painting ) along with a pen tablet (big help)

Palms

[graham5]

I know the CS4 runs $700 by looking on the adobe site, but what is up with the CS4 on ebay for $80. Is it different?? I don't want to put too much into a software that does stuff I am never gonna use. I am just mainly interested in doing smudge paintings. A lot of the extras like brushes and plugins can be found all over the internet and downloaded into the program. I will def check into the photoshop 7.

[graham5]

What I could find on Photoshop 7 is pretty pricey also. Might have to hang onto what I have and maybe just invest in a pen tablet. Any recommendations on pen tablets??

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by graham5

What I could find on Photoshop 7 is pretty pricey also. Might have to hang onto what I have and maybe just invest in a pen tablet. Any recommendations on pen tablets??

Wacom all the way!
You will never regret to use Intuos3 or the new intuos4, but some also saying Bamboo models are fun to use as well, i got intuos4 small and it is top notch.

[palms]

Graham

you could see if adobe do free trials for ps they either last for a month or have some other restrictions on them, that way you do get a feel of what they are about

my pen tablet is by trust and is a bit cheaper than others ( if uk based look in the argos catalogue ) but they do take a little while to get used to them

just thought check out elements a cheaper version of ps makes sure it has the smudge tool though as i am not sure on that


Palms

[byRo]

If you're (only) going to do smudge paintings, save on the programme (I hate CS4) and spend on the tablet.

I use a Bamboo - suits me fine.

Rô

[Swampy]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but you can probably do smudge paintings in Elements.

I would be leary of an $80 copy of PS CS4.

[TommyO]

Graham5,
I would agree with the others on most points. If you are looking to do general artwork and retouching, then CS4 is certainly not necessary. You could stay with PSP, try GIMP for free, or purchase CS3/CS2/CS from a user who has already upgraded. Any previous version of CSx is generally "unauthorized" prior to installing the newer version. This legally allows the older version to be reinstalled on another PC. You just work out the price with the previous user.

You also did not mention what hardware/PC you have. Jumping to CS4 could result in a slower session on an older PC or MAC; sticking with CS3 or older could be more suited to an older PC/MAC.

As you may have gathered from the excellent output from many members, is that quality does not depend on what version or what hardware. It comes from learning the tools and using them effectively.

[graham5]

Thanks for all the valuable info here everyone. It has made my decision much easier and I will probably stay with psp for now anyway and go for the pen tablet. I am just starting out with the smudging and perhaps one day, when I am much better at this I will check out other programs. Who knows what kind of new programs will pop up in the near future. Thanks again.