Image editing software

[Rubey84]

hey guys. I currently have photoshop 6 but its licensed to my school so i have to delete it of my hard drive when the semester is over. Since the actual PS costs an ungodly amount of money, money that alot of people dont have, what is the closest thing to it. Free or otherwise. Im not opposed to spending a bit of money on some good software but PS is too rich for my blood. what are my options?

thanks in advance for the help

-Nick

[FoG]

Ok I know lots will say PS but honestly I have used Serif Photoplus for years now and will swear by it .. outlay to power is immense and it does HDR and RAw fuiles too so for £60 find something more powerful and I will eat my hat.... it is great go get it now !!!

[BryanC]

In the 'Free' category, Gimp is definitely worth checking out.

[SusanH1970]

Since you're using PSE6 now, you can buy PSE7 for less than $100. Paint Shop Pro is another good one that a lot of people use that's less than $100.

[Rubey84]

Originally Posted by FoG

Ok I know lots will say PS but honestly I have used SSerif Photoshop for years now and will swear by it .. outlay to power is immense and it does HDR and RAw fuiles too so for £60 find something more powerful and I will eat my hat.... it is great go get it now !!!

so it looks a bit like PS, and im assuming that it has the same functionality. is the interface at all like PS? to be honest all i really ever do to my photos is resizing, levels, curves, ect, and like the clone stamp tool because PS6 doesnt have healing tool. i dont get crazy with filters like some people but i like the enhancements.

[Rubey84]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Since you're using PSE6 now, you can buy PSE7 for less than $100. Paint Shop Pro is another good one that a lot of people use that's less than $100.

thats my problem though, i cant because its licensed to my school. i have to delete the program at the end of the semester. otherwise id deff go to PS7

Originally Posted by BryanC

In the 'Free' category, Gimp is definitely worth checking out.

Ive tried Gimp and never really liked it all that much. it was ok but deff not what im used to. im looking for something that is similar to PS

[mikez53]

I am currently using ACDsee pro 3.5 on a trial basis and it seems like the best one for me. The cost is about $ 169.00.

If you want to give it a try this is their wbsite - www.acdsee.com

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Rubey84

thats my problem though, i cant because its licensed to my school. i have to delete the program at the end of the semester. otherwise id deff go to PS7

You can't buy your own copy of PSE7? I suggested it because since you're used to PSE6 and will soon have to delete it, you could buy this one for yourself to keep.

[FoG]

Originally Posted by Rubey84

so it looks a bit like PS, and im assuming that it has the same functionality. is the interface at all like PS? to be honest all i really ever do to my photos is resizing, levels, curves, ect, and like the clone stamp tool because PS6 doesnt have healing tool. i dont get crazy with filters like some people but i like the enhancements.

Feel free to look through my Flickr there are loads of pics I have edited with Serif in there ... it's user interface is actually far easier to negotiate and get used to the Photoshop I have tried several before settling into Serif nad the new X3 does HDR and RAw files far better than they used to (HDR is new RAW is not to Serif) but I am now safe in saying it is one of the best on the market just widely ignored through snobbery.... I have yet to find something Photoshop can do that serif cannot... it may not be as quick if using large files but it certainly does the job and for the price is remarkable.

[FoG]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

You can't buy your own copy of PSE7? I suggested it because since you're used to PSE6 and will soon have to delete it, you could buy this one yourself.

As it is a College version they do not have individual upgrade right sand in fact have to pay full price or get the student version which has a lot missing from it. that or light room et al personally I think Adobe are pricing themselves out of the market as more and more epople I speak to are moving away as the competition catches up Adobe stick to it and increase price they have a great product sadly let down by regular complaints not being listened to ie user interface etc etc ... if you are experienced with it fine but if new to it can hard to egt around quickly slowing workflow dramatically ... I know this fro web design trying to use other Adobe products that I also found others as powerful and yet cheaper