A few weeks ago I threw away all my illegal applications/mp3/movies/games, and I'm looking for PS somewhere. I don't need the newest version, but just something with a payable price. What I mean with payable is about 20 - 40 euro.
preferable, somewhere near The netherlands, or UK.
I don't know if it's the best solution out there, but it is free.
The Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/~tml/gimp/win32/)
If you can cope with Photoshop Elements, you can typically get that free with some of the cheap scanners (especially reconditioned ones). Or try ebay?
Also, if you download 8.00, 8.01 and 8.10 Paintshop Pro trials and use up all their free periods it should keep you going for 10 months... if you can keep you computer turned on al the time, even longer (they only check the time when they start up)...
The Gimp is cool.. But I haven't been able to find the line tool..
Try Pixia
The gimp has most of the tools that Photoshop has, but the interface is terrible. Once you become accustomed to using it though, you can follow most Photoshop tutorials and get same/similar results. Searching the net stringently can come up with gimp help/tutorial sites to get you going, if you choose that route.
Kudos for going legal, btw. At elYsiun.com (Blender3d forum) I found a link to freeware net apps that are useful for the amateur CG artist. Here it is. (http://www.elysiun.com/news.php?mode=display&item_id=15) I know it's a little off-topic, but I figure you'll want some of those if you're ditching all of your pirated stuff. Audacity is a very good multi-track sound editor.
On another off-topic point, this (http://www.lostmarble.com/)is awsome. Bones in vector animation? Sacre bleu!
You threw away ALL your illegal stuff?
Can anyone make any sense out of this?
Quote from: Peter Thomas on Thu 26/02/2004 23:16:01
You threw away ALL your illegal stuff?
Can anyone make any sense out of this?
Yes, I don't feel right using pirated software. I feel better about myself working out the same results from freeware anyways. Often the OpenSource/Freeware stuff is nearly as good or better. Take Blender for instance.. the potential is awesome. The unfortunate side effect of it being freeware is that most of its users are amateur. It has the same capabilities as 3ds max though, even if they're harder to pump out in some cases.
Thank you all for your links! I already started with The Gimp, and it seems pretty cool, and thanks for the link shbaz... that audio editor was something else I was looking for. Something free, similiar to cooledit!
Peter Thomas : I know that it sounds pretty weird, and most people think so too, and a few months ago I would also say that. But as some may know... I'm a christian, and I try (yes TRY... so sometimes I mess up) to do what's good in God's eyes. And some weeks ago, I felt in my heart, not good anymore with the illegal stuff. Though I couldn't let go, because I was too much stucked with it. I mean, I was downloading GB's o'day. But I kept running into people, telling me that it was wrong, like when I went to church, or youthgroup... it always went about this topic. So I felt it really bouncing in my heart, and I had to do something with it. I mean, It is stealing. My excuse was always like "C'mon the prizes are too high!", or "So what... everybody downloads.. who cares?", but I took at a certain moment the step to throw it all away, and I feel personally much more free from the inside and confident.
I hope you'll understand... and if not, than you are not the only one! ;D
No problem, if you're looking for anything else name it and maybe people will be able to pull something up. http://www.thefreesite.com has a large listing of free progs and all kinds of other stuff.
As a proud owner of 4 versions (5,6,7,8) of legal Paint Shop Pros, I'd recommend it. If you have taken Gimp to your heart, that's cool, but if you want more PS-ish program PSP is a good (and cheap) choise. Here PSP costs less than tenth of what PS does.
It makes me angry how much Photoshop is. I simply hate switching software programs, especially considering I've been with Photoshop since before they incorporated layers! So, like a sucker, I just keep paying for it.
Between that, and the Macromedia Suite (ColdFusion, Dreamweaver, Flash) it's a wonder I have money at all!
While I agree pirated software is bad I used to use it all the time. Until I had to be legit (legal reasons for my company). So if you're just using it for personal use, I say 'Ahoy matey, it's a pirate's life for me!'
Which reminds me ... I think I'll watch Pirates of the Carribean now ...
~ d
As SSH has already mentioned, buying a certain piece of hardware could yield surprisingly worthy pieces of software :). I bought my Graphire2 Wacom tablet and it came (apart from other stuff) with Photoshop 5.5 LE which I found to be sufficent for all my needs (except maybe unlimited undo). Well, my advice is: if paint programs are what you are going for, look for bundle. Not only you will get legal progs but sometimes you'll get them actually cheaper than buying them alone - Photoshop LE or Elements cost up to $99, I got my Wacom for $ 49 - plus you will have a tablet/scanner/printer/whatever for fraction of it' s price.
Weird.. it looks like a lot of posts just got ditched or something. Maybe it's just me. I found a link that lists a TON of free software.
http://www.webattack.com/Freeware/ (http://www.webattack.com/Freeware/)
I have to agreee with Minimi..
It feels so better getting rid of all the illegal software. I have done it too, nothing but free stuff for me. I just felt so guilty that I was using pirated software to make my website, do homework, draw, etc.
If I want to seriosuly produce things, I need to be legit.. Open Source and Freewares are great things.. And they really are as good as professional software.. If not better sometimes..
So... "Yarr, LGM be a pirate no more!"
(Although, I'll always download and keep my music ;-p)
I quit doing it with music too.. Not only were there moral qualms, but there was also that awful screaching noise and difficulty/time involved in getting the music. Sometimes I'll copy a friends CD to listen to, but otherwise I download music from good indie bands that give most of it away for free. Elgin Park (http://www.elginpark.com) is one of them, whose guitarist/vocalist (I think) tracked Donnie Darko. You can stream the soundtrack and their entire CD at their website, through the second link at the bottom.
More freeware (http://www.webattack.com/Freeware/)