🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Nov13.173252.8859@ac.dal.ca>, seanmcd@ac.dal.ca writes...
> 
>Photoshop (probably in a scanner bundle)

As the name implies, this is great for photo retouching and special effects,
but not really geared towards creating new original artwork.  Still, it can be
used in that way.

>Painter

I have not had a chance to use this yet, but everything I've read and heard
makes it sound like THE package to get for creating new original art, and
simulating different media.

>Sketcher

This is basically a black-and-white version of Painter, I believe.

>Fontographer

For creating new typefaces, or modifying existing ones, this is probably as
good as anything else.

>Canvas

I wouldn't recommend this for "art," although it might be more useful for
architecture.  It seems more geared for laying out floor plans, precise
technical drawings, etc.

I think you should also consider Adobe Illustrator or Aldus FreeHand.  These
are about the top in their field for graphics design/illustration.  I think
the distinction is between creating loose, expressive, "artsy" images, for
which Painter is well suited, vs. creating very clean, precise, hard-edged
illustrations such as Illustrator and FreeHand tend to produce.

The biggest problem, of course, is output.  For bitonal or limited halftone
work, the current crop of ink jet or laser printers is pretty good.  However,
for serious color work, the types of printers generally for personal use are
really only "draft" quality at best.  For work that's being prepared for
commercial production, there is software to produce color separations suitable
for four-color process printing.  However, for single copies,  I don't know of
a good hardcopy solution.

> 
>Also, if anyone out there uses a graphics tablet: are they worth
>getting?
>

Yes.  Definitely!  I use a WACOM tablet at work, and I'm planning to get one
for home when budget permits.  Trying to do art with a mouse is like trying to
play the piano with a tennis racket.


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        /  /  /  /		Peter Davis,	Digital Equipment Corp.
       /  /  /  /				davis@3d.enet.dec.com
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