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darrenwilson
Posts: 82
Joined: 5/22/2002
From: Dallas, TX
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I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/22/2002 11:53:49
I am hopelessly addicted to PhotoDraw!!!!! I teach web mastering at the high school level and have been teaching PhotDraw as the imaging program of choice. I have learned, however, that PhotoDraw has been DISCONTINUED. I am looking for a new program to use and teach. I LOVE everything about PhotoDraw and would love to find a program that is very similar in look and feel. Any recommendations? Please list similarities/differences as they compare to PhotoDraw as necessary.
http://www.darrenwilson.net
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sspainhour
Posts: 30
Joined: 3/20/2002
From: Borden IN USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/22/2002 14:23:45
I agree with bobby. I used photodraw years ago, but Photoshop is much better. Photoshop has a steeper learning curve, but once you learn it, there is an endless amount of things you can do. I have been using photoshop for three years and I still am finding new techniques. Intermediate to advanced high school students have probably already been exposed to photoshop and the ones I know regard photodraw as very basic.
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darrenwilson
Posts: 82
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From: Dallas, TX
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/22/2002 16:56:57
Thanks for the info. I want them to spend their time learning something they can "take with them" after the class is over. Photoshop sounds like the way to go. Anybody else? for or against...
BTW: This board has been a TERRIFIC resource for me. Longtime visitor, first-time poster. Thanks again everyone!
http://www.darrenwilson.net
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Paula
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From: Morrow, Georgia, USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/22/2002 18:33:29
I have a little different perspective here. I've never used PhotoDraw, but I use Image Composer all the time. My husband is a big PhotoShop fan and he's always trying to get me to use it. I've tried, many times, but... layers and modes and masks, oh my! I see him do something in PhotoShop that takes 5 or 6 steps, that I can do in Image Composer in just a couple of clicks. Usually, especially for the web, I get just as good a result. Why go through all that? It's painfully time consuming to learn and cumbersome to work with until you really know the program well. I keep hoping Microsoft will come up with another graphics program like Image Composer (or PhotoDraw) much easier to learn and work with in my opinion, that has more flexibility. That being said, PhotoShop seems to be the only choice as far as most professionals are concerned. So, as painful as it is, it's probably the best choice, maybe the only choice, all things considered. As far as comparing the two, I don't know about PhotoDraw but my understanding is that it's a lot like Image Composer. Photoshop and Image Composer are entirely different. Some of the drawing/painting tools are the same. Photoshop uses masks and modes. Image Composer just uses effects, has simplier concepts but less flexibility than Photoshop. Hope this helps.
Paula
The more I learn the less I seem to know.
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darrenwilson
Posts: 82
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From: Dallas, TX
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/22/2002 19:06:45
What about Fireworks?
http://www.darrenwilson.net
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caywind
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/22/2002 20:16:10
Image composer is free with frontpage, it works a little differently than other image programs but after you get used to it, it's pretty powerful. Photoshop is king but if you got addicted to photodraw, you'll become physically connected to Photoshop....
also I think they can use the same plug in actions and effects...
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swoosh
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/22/2002 21:27:30
No doubt about it. Photoshop is top shelf when it comes to graphic programs. But if cost is an issue, you may want to take a look at Paint Shop Pro. You can download a fully functional free 30 day trial version from their website here http://www.jasc.com/download_4.asp?prod=001.
Swoooosh
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garyb
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From: North Clarendon Vermont USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/23/2002 8:07:20
Another compromise solution is to use either photoshop elements or a lot of things still ship with photoshop LE. Either one is a scaled down version of Photoshop. I used this to teach a highschool class web design. I took two class sessions to give them enough to get going and they learned the rest that they needed. A couple of points regarding this option. a) It gives the students exposure to photoshop but not as overwelming. b) It still has pretty powerful features. Now to Paula's point, I would argue that layers and modes and masks oh my.. are really key critical elements in doing some types of design, making the whole process much easier to do. And finally, I wonder what version your husband has. With the integration of imageready into photoshop, things are even more powerful for web design work.
Gary
Ready Page Graphic Design
www.ready-page.com
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abbeyvet
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From: Kilkenny Ireland
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/23/2002 10:32:04
I know this is off topic a little and I agree that some version of PhotoShop is the right choice here.
But, Gary, have you actually used Image Composer much? It doesn't call them layers or modes or masks but you can do pretty much what they do in IC and as Paula says faster and in an easier way to learn.
I have both, can use both, but still, 9 times out of 10, will use IC as it is quicker. I am I admit more comfortable in it due to long familiarity. But it is really, genuinely, a lot better than most people give it credit for.
I honestly belive it is not terribly far from being a top notch program and that it is tragic that MS have abandoned it.
Katherine
++++++++++++++++++++++++
www.inkkdesign.com
Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
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Paula
Posts: 394
From: Morrow, Georgia, USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/23/2002 13:26:36
Hi Gary,
As Katherine said IC does all the layers, modes, masks stuff in a different way, much simplier but a bit less flexible. Still you can do almost anything with it that you can do with Photoshop. I'm glad to hear your high school students caught on so quickly! One of my concerns was that kids might lose interest in the whole subject if presented with something this difficult to learn, but kids are amazing in their ability to soak up things like this, so maybe it's not a problem. This may be a little like the "Dreamweaver vs Frontpage" debate. They're all just tools, I use the ones that I'm most comfortable with, in this case Image Composer.
Katherine, thank you for your comments. I was beginning to think it was just me. I really wish Microsoft hadn't dropped IC as well. I think it's a great program.
PhotoDraw replaced IC and now they've dropped PhotoDraw and it doesn't look they are coming up with anything to replace it. So as far as finding something with a similar look and feel, I don't think there is anything. If you feel strongly about finding another program to teach, Photoshop is probably the best choice.
Paula
The more I learn the less I seem to know.
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garyb
Posts: 208
From: North Clarendon Vermont USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/23/2002 15:10:24
Hi Katherine. You are right. I don't use it much at all. Of course, that is a key to any product. Knowing it enough to get good and comfortable with it. The point I was trying to make, not very well, is that Photoshop can be used for projects beyond the web. That is why I would never teach fireworks for a class if I had a choice. Not because I don't like fireworks, since I think it's great for web work, but because if someone moves to print, they are in trouble. How many times have we seen postings similar to, "I created this really cool graphic for a web site and now my customer wants to use it on letterhead, logos blah blah blah.."
Granted, we are talking web design here but I felt that if I was going to teach the kids a tool, I'd teach them one that would allow them to grow in any direction they want, not just for the web. I can send a PSD file to printers anywhere in the world and have full color work done.
To Paula's point, there is no question that this is a matter of choice but I don't think it is as clear cut a matter of choice that the DW/FP discussion is. No matter which I program I use to design a web site, I can deliver the product to anyone. I dont think it is as clear the case when we are talking IC or PhotoDraw or PhotoShop.
I also have to confess that since I come from a high end print background, I do tend to think in the print direction more than some of our users here and perhaps that does bias my views. Sorry if that is the case...
Gary
Ready Page Graphic Design
www.ready-page.com
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bobby
Posts: 11394
Joined: 8/15/1969
From: Seattle WA USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/23/2002 15:46:57
quote:
How many times have we seen postings similar to, "I created this really cool graphic for a web site and now my customer wants to use it on letterhead, logos blah blah blah.."
AS a matter of "good practice" I usually will develop web graphics (banners and logos, etc... not buttons and such) at 300 dpi to start... that way if my client does want a "printable" version I can take that one and create an .eps or .tif from it.
300 dpi isn't perfect for all kinds of printing, but it's a lot nicer looking than 72 dpi - and it's easier to go from 300 to 72 as opposed to the other way around.
It's an extra couple of steps, and sometimes the 72 dpi version can take a bit of "tweaking" to get it to look right, but graphics are my favorite part of web development anyway!
Well, now that I'm learning more about ASP and XML that may change...
My vote is still for Photoshop. The learning curve isn't that bad, and all those "extra" functions aren't necessary for good web graphics - at least at a learning level... Like you said,
quote:
Photoshop can be used for projects beyond the web... if someone moves to print... that would allow them to grow in any direction they want...
I wish they offered web design when I was in high-school!
_____
"There is too much apathy in the world, but I don't care."
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darrenwilson
Posts: 82
Joined: 5/22/2002
From: Dallas, TX
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/23/2002 20:34:09
WOW! keep up the discussion, its great. I am very concerned about being able to create graphics that when originally made for the web, can easily and universally be used in print media, etc. And, since I will need to learn it to teach it, it will become MY default graphic tool. Sounds like PhotoShop it is. How about $289 educator price at creationengine.com? Good deal? Thanks again...
http://www.darrenwilson.net
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Nancy
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From: Nebraska
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/24/2002 1:51:21
I have used Paint Shop Pro, Image Composer, PhotoDraw and Photoshop. They all have their good points, and will all make acceptable graphics for web sites. I've not used Fireworks, but it looks like Andy from Spain seems quite impressed with the latest version of it. Familiarity with the program usually determines the user's choice.
However, I think the biggest difference is the Photoshop will do things that are also for print work. The others are lacking in that area. If money is not the issue, then go with Photoshop. And $289 for it is a steal compared with the regular price of $600.
Nancy
Wrinkled is NOT one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up!
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Shirley
Posts: 3127
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From: Omaha, Ne USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/24/2002 9:49:28
I have PhotoShop, Paint Shop Pro, Photo Impact, IC Photodraw and Fireworks. My vote is Fireworks I love it!! I can use the photoshop plug ins in FW etc. Photoshop is overkill as far as I am concerned unless you are doing alot of print work.
Whichever way you go teach them something they can afford to buy and use later. PSP does alot for the price.
Shirley
cmycat.com
Money Tree Web Design
Omaha Homes Online
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bobby
Posts: 11394
Joined: 8/15/1969
From: Seattle WA USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/24/2002 14:01:15
Darren -
Price sounds high for the edu version... I've seen it in local (Seattle) store ads for $149! (Part of that might be from mail in rebates, etc.
_____
"There is too much apathy in the world, but I don't care."
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bobby
Posts: 11394
Joined: 8/15/1969
From: Seattle WA USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 5/24/2002 14:04:17
quote:
I've seen it in local (Seattle) store ads for $149!
Oops, my bad, that was the "Upgrade" to Photoshop 6. Adobe offers the full version of PS7 for $299... so $289 is right in there...
_____
"There is too much apathy in the world, but I don't care."
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Killfast
Posts: 32
Joined: 3/9/2002
From: Chicago USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 6/2/2002 9:06:23
I have never used Photodraw but I have used Paintshop Pro a lot and a little Photoshop. The learning curve for Paintshop Pro is not as steep as Photoshop and it is a lot cheaper. Although I am going to eventually learn Photoshop myself I recomend Paintshop Pro. Good luck with your decision and hope we all could help in some way.
Later Killfast..
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pyramid36
Posts: 49
Joined: 6/6/2002
From: Marietta GA USA
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RE: I am addicted to PhotoDraw....help me - 6/27/2002 12:00:43
Seems a lot of folks are hot on Photo Draw which is OK. As a casual user, however, forking over the purchase price is out of my budget, so I' ve opted for Photo Impact by uLead. The latest version is robust and gives me everything I need for the web at less than $100. Can' t be beat for the money.
Ken Kimbrough
Cotter Kimbrough Associates, Inc.
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