Question about graphics/photo editing software (process, photoshop, printed, photos)

[Artful-Thang]

What are some full-featured photo editing software being used in lieu of Photoshop? It would help if it has components/spin-offs/whatever you call them that can do vector graphics, page layout, etc.

I'm on a Windows Vista platform, by the way.

I'm having major problems with Adobe Creative Suite CS 3 after using it on my laptop for more than a year. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Professional, DreamWeaver, I use them all. And now the software is an expensive coaster. So if there's an alternative to Adobe that does everything, that would be a plus for me.

Adobe isn't supporting people with the problems I'm having, which happens with Creative Suite 3 AND 4, so there's no use upgrading. I'm disgusted with the whole lack of help AND the expense of Adobe, though I've used various Adobe software for over 10 years.

Thanks for your tips.

[Brill]

This probably doesn't do everything you're looking for, but it is a photoshop alternative that's free:

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

[kdog]

If it was working before, and it's not now, it sounds like your installation of CS3 got messed up somehow. Have you tried uninstalling, and reinstalling it? Would be a shame to give up on it as it's a nice program, that you've already paid for.

[Tinman313]

Is their a printed or PDF user manual for GIMP ?

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by Artful-Thang

What are some full-featured photo editing software being used in lieu of Photoshop? It would help if it has components/spin-offs/whatever you call them that can do vector graphics, page layout, etc.

I'm on a Windows Vista platform, by the way.

I'm having major problems with Adobe Creative Suite CS 3 after using it on my laptop for more than a year. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Professional, DreamWeaver, I use them all. And now the software is an expensive coaster. So if there's an alternative to Adobe that does everything, that would be a plus for me.

Adobe isn't supporting people with the problems I'm having, which happens with Creative Suite 3 AND 4, so there's no use upgrading. I'm disgusted with the whole lack of help AND the expense of Adobe, though I've used various Adobe software for over 10 years.

Thanks for your tips.

I use all of those same programs in CS3 Design Premium and have never had any problems at all. What is the problem?

What do you mean "Adobe isnt supporting people with the problems" you are having? Does it have to do with Vista? What you have is the top of the line software for what you are trying to do, anything else would be a huge step down. Maybe we can help with whatever problems youre having. I would not be good to have to spend money on a lesser program.

[Chromekitty]

Originally Posted by Tinman313

Is their a printed or PDF user manual for GIMP ?

Tinman, there is no external manual to GIMP that I am aware of. There is online help.

[atlantagreg30127]

Paint Shop Pro has long been considered a "cheaper alternative" to Photoshop in many areas. You would want the current version which is X2-Ultimate.

Read up on it before buying, but lots of folks like it. I use it for many things (along with Photoshop), but it does lack a little in RAW support for photos - still, for the price, very good.

LINK

[LaoTzuMindFu]

I still dont understand why you would want to go from a "Lamborghini" (CS3/4) to a "Pacer" (anything else). You invested in Adobe so why exactly would you want to downgrade? There IS NO COMPARIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO CS3/4 ON THE MARKET. Sure there are some programs that may do something similar (although not nearly as well and you will need several programs just to do that), but why pay when you have everything you already need?

I just dont get it. Did you get an illegal copy of Adobe from someone on Craiglist? If you got the real package then Adobe will help you for life (plus the updates are all free). What gives?

[Tinman313]

Originally Posted by Chrome Kitty

Tinman, there is no external manual to GIMP that I am aware of. There is online help.

I tried using it on this old system some what slow, Trying to figure stuff out while you process.Then having to back out and find a table of contents and read then go back and start over again just takes the fun out of it. If I had the manual or a PDF printed it would be so much easier. Do as you read !

[kdog]

The online documentation for Gimp is here: GNU Image Manipulation Program