How many use Photoshop elements, Paintshop?

Philippi_ChildPhilippi_Child Posts: 648
edited August 2023 in The Commons

Well, I think it's time for me to retire paintshop pro X4. I've been using this forever because it seems the newer version don't work as well or there have been many complaints about the new version. I've been looking at Photoshop elements 2023. I don't know much about it but how close to paintshop is it? Is it a raster layer program? I've looked at gimp as well but I don't know if can use photoshp brushes and from what I hear it has a steep learning curve. I don't know if I should just get a program that I've used for years like Paintshop or somthing else. I don't photo edit or things like that just do post work, paint textures for models and such. Opinons please and thank you.

Post edited by Philippi_Child on

Comments

  • ed3Ded3D Posts: 2,198
    edited August 2023

    And  dont forget  Krita  ( which is Free )  Wins ,  Mac ,  Linux   +   Thanx

    Post edited by ed3D on
  • csaacsaa Posts: 824

    Philippi_Child,

    For a PC software, Affinity Photo comes close to Photoshop, at a one time only, reasonable price. I have it, but my main workhorse is Clip Studio Paint.

    Cheers!

     

  • I use PaintShop Pro 5.0 and where I can't do what I need in PSP5, GIMP. I normally avoid Gimp as my first choice because it annoys me. The childishness of menu items 'Script Fu', 'Python Fu' and similar get on my wick, along with the obscure naming of sensible and quite good filters. I think Gimp can usually use Photoshop brushes (not my forté as you've probably guessed from me still using PSP5), but as it's free you could try some free ones & see, with time being the only expense. Regards, Richard.
  • FSMCDesignsFSMCDesigns Posts: 12,755

    GIMP can use Photoshop brushes and there are a ton of tutorials on the web for any option in GIMP, so it's worth checking it out if you haven't instead of just dfismissing it, especially since it is free. I have an older version of PSP, an older version of  Photoshop and GIMP installed and I use GIMP 90% of the time

  • davesodaveso Posts: 7,024

    the new versions of Paintshop Pro can use photoshop brushes. Not sure the complaints but I find it much easier overall to use then PS. Grab yourself a free copy of NIK filters, yes, you can still get them free, I just did. They're older version but work just fine. 

  • sazzyazzcasazzyazzca Posts: 495

    I still use my Paintshop Pro 7 on Windows 10 because it's FAST and I know my way around it. I have newer versions of PSP installed, as well an older version of Photoshop, but I only use them when I need to do something PSP7 can't do. 

  • StezzaStezza Posts: 8,071

    I use PSE and usually upgrade every two or three years depending on what's new in it.. the updated version should be released some month soon so I will be interested to see what it has and if it will be worth it to dish out the $$ . smiley

  • Thanks everyone I have't counted anything out. I tried to install PSPX4 on windows 10 but it wouldn't install it kept asking for some version of Microsoft frame work.

  • FirstBastionFirstBastion Posts: 7,762

    I generally do not like subscription software,  but photoshop elements  has alot of functionality.  My kids use it often.

  • Speaking for myself, I bought Adobe CS6 years ago because I use InDesign for not-art-related work that I do, but getting Photoshop was a nice benefit. As long as I can install it and use it, I will continue to do so. I like having at least most features available (most filters and such can be used by CS6) and I just avoid rentware if I possibly can. Probably not helpful, as I'm sure you can't just go buy CS6 anymore, and who knows how long it will be supported by Windows, but that's what I'm doing.

  • ed3Ded3D Posts: 2,198
    edited August 2023

    And   photoshop elements  is  Not   a subscripton  by the  way    +  Thanx  

    Post edited by Richard Haseltine on
  • kimhkimh Posts: 388

    If you watch HumbleBundle they often have graphics based bundles with Corel products for insanely reaonable prices. They are usually a year behind but still very useful. I am a huge fan of Paintshop and have kept it up to date because the upgrade fee is usually around $60 CAD. I am currently using Paintshop Pro 2023 and love it

  • McGyverMcGyver Posts: 7,053

    I'm not personally fond of PS Elements' GUI... but that's because I'm used to regular Photoshop... Elements sort of punishes you for buying a cheaper version... The GUI seems more akin to the free software you used to get when you bought a printer... compared to CS2... or even Photoshop 5... 

    You can change it up a little, but not enough to make it look less "Print Suite 2001 Deluxe"... like I keep expecting a Clippy-esque mascot to pop up and ask me "Would you like to mask this selection?"

    Which probably is okay if you never really used Photoshop or most newer image editors.

  • wsterdanwsterdan Posts: 2,349

    McGyver said:

    I'm not personally fond of PS Elements' GUI... but that's because I'm used to regular Photoshop... Elements sort of punishes you for buying a cheaper version... The GUI seems more akin to the free software you used to get when you bought a printer... compared to CS2... or even Photoshop 5... 

    You can change it up a little, but not enough to make it look less "Print Suite 2001 Deluxe"... like I keep expecting a Clippy-esque mascot to pop up and ask me "Would you like to mask this selection?"

    Which probably is okay if you never really used Photoshop or most newer image editors.

    Exactly. After using Photoshop professionally from version 1.0 to Creative Cloud 2022, it was a bit of a shock when I retired and decided to pick it up and use it, mostly to be able to use a lot of actions I'd assembled over the years.

    I also purchased the Affinithy packages, and I actually find PS Elements to be more familiiar – despite it's incredible differences to "real" Photoshop – than Affinity Paint. I think either one is worth owning as both do a great job.

    -- Walt Sterdan

  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,061
    edited August 2023

    kimh said:

    If you watch HumbleBundle they often have graphics based bundles with Corel products for insanely reaonable prices. They are usually a year behind but still very useful. I am a huge fan of Paintshop and have kept it up to date because the upgrade fee is usually around $60 CAD. I am currently using Paintshop Pro 2023 and love it

    ...I got PSP 2021 and Painter plus a lot of add ons through them.

    Need to wait for the system upgrade to get the latest version of ExposureX as it no longer supports W7.

    Post edited by kyoto kid on
  • marblemarble Posts: 7,500

    Back when I was working and had access to all manner of software, I used Photoshop but now I have to buy software on a very limited budget I either go free or cheap. I tried Gimp but disliked it but Affinity Photo seems to geive me the Photoshop experience without the finacial nightmare of eternal subscription. I know that professionals prefer the real thing but I'm a hobbyist and I hardly scratch the surface of all the Affinity Photo has to offer, never mind Photoshop.

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,131

    I use PS Elements 9.0 and it still does what I need but later in the year I will finally buy the PS Elements & Premeire bundle.

  • chris-2599934chris-2599934 Posts: 1,817
    edited August 2023

    I've been using various versions of Paint Shop Pro since the mid 90's, when it was still Shareware. I'm currently running the 2020 edition, I upgrade from time to time when there's a good offer on HumbleBundle (usually seems to happen around october/november time each year). I dip into GIMP for things that PSP won't do - like work with .exr files.

    Post edited by chris-2599934 on
  • I have used Paint Shop Pro since Jasc Paint Shop Pro 6...then 8.01...then 9.  I guess Corel purchased it then and I have X2. X4 Ultimate, X6 Ultimate, X8 and finally Paint Shop Pro 2023.  

    I am extremely dissappointed that many of my plug-ins do not work in 2023.  They work in X8, however, after installing Paint Shop Pro 2023, Paint Shop Pro X8 crashes.  Those plug-ins were awesome!!  Half the time, X8 doesn't recognize my plug-ins and I have to restart it when it wasn't crashing.  

    When I was still working I purchased all of the Alien Skin plug-ins, Autofx software (which can be stand alone,) Redfield software, Flaming Pear (some work in 2023) and others.

    I can dabble in Adobe Photoshop Elements 15 when I need to.  This is the one I would really like to learn.  I know that  if I Google something I need to do, I can transfer my knowledge from Paint Shop Pro to Photoshop Elements.  I think this is the one I would chose.  I just need to force myself to post work my DS renders in Photoshop Elements.

    I definiitely can import Photoshop brushes in Paint Shop Pro.

    So, I use Paint Shop Pro 2023 mostly...I want to learn Photoshop Elements!!!  

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