Paintshop Pro

shanti

Hi, my paintshop pro free trial software has just run out and I was wondering if anyone knew of some alternative software that is just as good only free?:)
Thanks!

Mr_Skint_2

http://www.irfanview.com/ As a freebie very good but not as good ad PSP
but the best freebie I know of.......

EvilMonkey

Complex but powerful is The GIMP It's kind of like an open source version of photoshop.

Its a little more rough and ready, but 100% free. Others have reported issues installing it, but I honestly didn't any problems with it.

Irfanview is the next most powerful and pretty good for simple stuff

next down is https://www.picasa.com I'd say this is more of a photo album bit of kit, but does have quite a few manipulation elements included and the best interface of the lot...

It really depends on what you were getting PSP to do for you?

E.M.

shanti

Thanks for that guys. EM, I'm a bit of a tech phobe so bear with me. I'm not really familiar with psp but I know that when I download pics and templates etc it seems to open up so that I can change/work with the image. I'm assuming that now the trial period is over I will have to have some sort of software to replace it hence my question. Thanks again for taking the time to answer

EvilMonkey

No problem Shanti, it's the change / work with the image that needs to be expanded really. Also when you say download, download from where? (If its a scanner or a digicam, many come with software bundles which may be what you're looking for?)

Sorry to ask all these Q's, but it helps to see exactly what you need to make a recommendation.

(So far I'd say its best to discount the GIMP as it looks quite scary when you first fire it up, technophobes should probably avoid it...)

E.M.

gizmoleeds

If you like PSP and you are used to it why not have quick look on ebay - there are people selling verison 8 (legitimate copies) there for £14-ish.

newfoundglory

I would suggest you also test-drive photoshop elements 4 from adobe.com (was released less than a month ago). That should give you another 30 days of free testing.

If you do a lot of digital imaging (and think you are gonna keep doing more), then its probably worth investing in some software (gimp is good and free, but it was never written for windows...), photoshop elements 4 is cheaper than PSP 10 on amazon at about £60...

Mr_Skint_2

newfoundglory wrote:

I would suggest you also test-drive photoshop elements 4 from adobe.com (was released less than a month ago). That should give you another 30 days of free testing.

If you do a lot of digital imaging (and think you are gonna keep doing more), then its probably worth investing in some software (gimp is good and free, but it was never written for windows...), photoshop elements 4 is cheaper than PSP 10 on amazon at about £60...

JASC Corp (PSP) have been doing what Adobe have been doing for ages
at less cost for some versions with better results than Adobe.

newfoundglory

Mr_Skint wrote:

JASC Corp (PSP) have been doing what Adobe have been doing for ages
at less cost for some versions with better results than Adobe.

Yeah, thats true. PSP have produced some excellent stuff in recent years. You have to remember though, you would have to be stupid to go and buy a full edition of the latest Photoshop on its own. Adobe's professional products come into their own when combined with the rest of the Creative Suite (illustrator, indesign, golive, acrobat, version cue, bridge) and that you simply cannot beat... anywhere! The new Photoshop CS2 (version 9) is the best photoshop adobe has produced since version 7... in many ways photoshop has just become a "plugin" to other adobe applications (such as indesign).

Also remember many photographers, designers, studios and professionals own and use macs... and paint shop pro doesnt work on OS X!! Of course, very few people need the full power of photoshop combined with creative suite...

Mr_Skint_2

newfoundglory wrote:

Yeah, thats true. PSP have produced some excellent stuff in recent years. You have to remember though, you would have to be stupid to go and buy a full edition of the latest Photoshop on its own. Adobe's professional products come into their own when combined with the rest of the Creative Suite (illustrator, indesign, golive, acrobat, version cue, bridge) and that you simply cannot beat... anywhere! The new Photoshop CS2 (version 9) is the best photoshop adobe has produced since version 7... in many ways photoshop has just become a "plugin" to other adobe applications (such as indesign).

Also remember many photographers, designers, studios and professionals own and use macs... and paint shop pro doesnt work on OS X!! Of course, very few people need the full power of photoshop combined with creative suite...

Totally agree, as to buy any kind of Photo Program for a single home user
is just mental as you would never recoup the money spent, unless ofcourse you are a desingner of sorts and getting paid.

Thats why freebies are best for the home user....

Whitefiver

If you just want some basic fettling for digital photos, then how about picassa from Google - free and very good.

Regards,

White