Scratch

I can't add any more programs due to a recent download restriction on my computer. Sorry for the inconvienince.

Scratch is great but soon enough, you need to move on from the basics of it's paint editor. Luckily, there is a wide choice of graphics design software available for you. I will be showing you the pros and cons of everyone I have tested and also, if you have any questions that you need answering.

Paint.NET (Free Download)
Download link.

Paint.NET is a free painting software which bares a resemblance to the Microsoft Paint we all know and are knowledgeable of. But don't let that fool you, this has way more features to play around with. This seems a novelty and you can make amazing pictures but  once you get the ropes, you'll end up making the same old pictures. Shame, this application does really well.

GIMP (Free Download)
Download link.

GIMP is a more advanced application than Paint.NET and the design looks modern and up-to-date. It is also more supportive when it comes to drawing pictures, but because of the lack of some basic features shown directly, it can make some things a pain. However, like Paint.NET, to download requires to no hidden costs or accounts. But, this is quite hard to understand at first for newcomers to computer design.

Inkscape (Free Download)
Download link.

Inkscape is a word processor and also a graphics editor, and does both well. The samples it gives are brilliant for new comers and it has the most sophisticated word processing out of all that I tried. However, there is a limited amount of tools (around 13 or so) compared to the mountains that other graphics editors give. I suggest Inkscape for posters!

Sumo Paint (In-Browser)
Main website link.

Sumo Paint is an in-browser design application which also requires no account. It seems a novelty, but if you are halfway through some important work and the internet resets, prepare for rage. Also, it doesn't work on tablets or mobiles, but that being a difficult feature, it doesn't matter much. Also, sometimes it is slow and responsive, due to the fact that it has so many features crammed in.

Adobe Photoshop (Disc Paid)
Main website link.

Photoshop is similar to GIMP and Paint.NET, so why pay when you can get the same quality? Because, like Paint.NET, it has loads of features and like GIMP, it has loads of advanced applications too, although Photoshop has it's fair share of simplified features. Shamefully, Photoshop is based around editing photos and art, not creating fancy art or cool logos. However, there is something that does that...

Adobe Fireworks (Disc Paid)
Main website link.

Like Photoshop, Fireworks is still generous on features and add-ons, but, Photoshop didn't have much support on making logos or concept art. Fireworks does. Some famous Fireworks users include RHY(numbers) and cpumaster. The quality is amazing and it can really brighten up your games. However, if you simply want to edit an existing logo or piece of art, you'll need Photoshop.

Art Rage (Paid Download)
Download link.

Art Rage is very beautiful to start with. It is the most realistic, because it has paint strokes which have little fades, airbrushes which have individual pixels all around and crayon which looks like a child has just brought it. Art Rage is great for the budding artist, and Art Rage has some great support for mouse-users too. The only problem is, there is not much text changes. As much as I could see.

Paint Tool SAI (Price Pending Download)
Link available isn't in original language and is fan-made.

I haven't yet seen what it does but looking at the gallery of pictures people have made with it, I can tell the program must be pretty good. The reason that there is no link is because the English version is fan-made and as we speak, I'm trying to find a way to translate the original version.

Scratch Paint Editor (Compulsory)
You must already have it.

The SPE (Scratch Paint Editor) is what everyone has some experience with - and even some of the best still use it. I don't suggest this for logos that use multiple fonts or sizes, but it does generally ok with art and icons. But, there is one dfinate thing you must do with the SPE, pixel-art. It's great to be introduced to computer art techniques but soon, you should move on.

Microsoft Paint (Compulsory for Windows)
Available for Windows PCs.

Paint is another great way to be introduced to computer art, only Paint is even more basic. It has good support for mouse-users and although it has text, there is no transparency.

Last edited by NeilWest (2012-04-06 04:01:56)