[Spamy]

It seems that everyone uses the photoshop. While I use this for a few batch files and some lighting stuff Im much more proficient with Corels programs. What pros and cons can you guys give me for these programs?

Should I get better with the photoshop?

[Paper Pills]

photoshop is just most commonly used because of its availability. ya know that it can be found quite easily. that having been said, cover creation does not depend on the program. whether you use PS, corel photopaint or PSP, it is really up to your level of expertise on the particular program and your creativity. a novel user with photoshop will likely not be able to create something more impressive than a seasoned photopaint user.

keep in mind that most of the plugins that work for photoshop will work for photopaint...so if you are comfortable with corel, stick with it.

the only annoying thing about photopaint (since I started out using corel...not adobe) is that most of the info on the web, tutorials, etc, are written with ps commands and you have to figure out how to do the same thing in pp....but ultimately, that's not the hard either.

[Alexx57]

Agree with PP. No matter what kind of sw you use, it´s up to your skill and creativity.
Just for sake of order - Corel is a vector oriented graphics thus I found it much more complicated to learn.

[MajorTom]

Well.... I tend to use PaintShop Pro 8 for 95% of my work... Mainly due to the fact that it's what I'm used to. I've been using it since version 3, when it was a Public Domain program.. I use Photoshop for the things that PSP cant do, or can't do very well - EG Text.... PSP's text system is pathetic.... But it's vector editing is excellent....

[RASTA67]

As long as your creating hi-quality (correct size, resolution etc) sstick with what works for you. I've been using photoshop professionally for over 15 years now... so I'm biased as to whats best LOL

[sc007er]

long ago i used corel for the text side of things..but the photoshop handles all text effects easily..so my advice is get photoshop proficent...

sc007er

[Nemesis_Enforcer]

I've been using Photoshop for about 9 years now and I prefer that over other programs, but it just depends on what you know and how well you can use the program.

[Paper Pills]

Originally Posted by Alexx57

Corel is a vector oriented graphics thus I found it much more complicated to learn.

you are thinking of CorelDRAW. CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator are vector programs. Adobe Photoshop and Corel PhotoPAINT are image editors. Paintshop Pro combines both vector and image editting capabilities.

Corel PhotoPAINT is not very much different than Adobe Photoshop because they use the same functions and plugins. Menus are different, and commands are called different things, but there are only a few things that Photoshop can do easily that requires a few more steps in PhotoPAINT.

Either way....each program is good for making covers....just as long as you know how well to use it. I am sure that there are some people here that can make a kick ass cover using Corel PhotoPAINT 5 with access to no advanced plugins while someone that has the Photoshop CS2 but has no idea how to use it wouldn't make a good one.

[Spamy]

I am able to import / export anything imaginable with using either Corel Photopaint or CorelDraw in conjunction or alone. I havent been able to do this with photopaint yet.
I was introduced to these first doing signage and automotive graphics so I started with the vector graphics and found it easy to migrate to the photo program. But I would like to learn more of the photoshop but every manual that I have downloaded or bought is like 600+ pages and I cant yet bring myself to dig into it. Ill have to just dedicate a cover to just using photoshop to get used to it.

[RASTA67]

with practice and experimentation, and pure desire and dedication to wanting to master a program - it will happen. it takes hours, but remember you never stop learning!
i find the best way to learn is to just dive in and do it, you'll stumble at first but with manuals/tutorials and working it out for yourself, it wont take long to get to know your way around!
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