Program advice

[toanstrom]

I was looking to start creating some logos on my own (as well as some more general graphic design) and was wondering if folks had any thoughts on what the best program was.

I've played around with the Demos for both Photoshop and Corel and was wondering what the consesus was on the two.

Thanks in advance

[StorminZ]

CorelDraw and Photoshop are two different programs, one a vector program (CD) and the other a bitmap program (PS).

If you wish to create objects and elements from scratch, you should use a vector program like CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator or XaraX or Freehand, to name a few of the common commercial products. There are some freeware options such as Inkscape and Serif products, but features may be limited.

If you wish to incorporate existing objects and elements, then a bitmap program like Adobe Photoshop or CorelPhotoPaint or PaintShopPro will do nicely.

One must understand the fundamental difference between a vector and a bitmap program -- each has their pros and their cons when compared to the other. Vector programs allow you to enlarge and shrink the objects without loss of resolution and sharpness. To do so with a bitmap program, you will lose both resolution and get the 'blocky' appearance. On the flipside, a bitmap program can create some incredible effects (lending very well to digital photogaphy) whereas the vector programs are somewhat limited in this area.

You can have the best of both worlds by purchasing CorelDraw Graphics Suite which includes CorelDraw and CorelPhotoPaint. These programs are very robust and compare well to the Adobe products which sell for alot more.

Good luck and have fun!!!

[robster1225]

Originally Posted by StorminZ

CorelDraw and Photoshop are two different programs, one a vector program (CD) and the other a bitmap program (PS).

If you wish to create objects and elements from scratch, you should use a vector program like CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator or XaraX or Freehand, to name a few of the common commercial products. There are some freeware options such as Inkscape and Serif products, but features may be limited.

If you wish to incorporate existing objects and elements, then a bitmap program like Adobe Photoshop or CorelPhotoPaint or PaintShopPro will do nicely.

One must understand the fundamental difference between a vector and a bitmap program -- each has their pros and their cons when compared to the other. Vector programs allow you to enlarge and shrink the objects without loss of resolution and sharpness. To do so with a bitmap program, you will lose both resolution and get the 'blocky' appearance. On the flipside, a bitmap program can create some incredible effects (lending very well to digital photogaphy) whereas the vector programs are somewhat limited in this area.

You can have the best of both worlds by purchasing CorelDraw Graphics Suite which includes CorelDraw and CorelPhotoPaint. These programs are very robust and compare well to the Adobe products which sell for alot more.

Good luck and have fun!!!

There are also free alternatives:
The Gimp 2.0- Bitmap
Inkscape- Vector