Painter IX.5

[jedimasterk]

I can get Painter IX.5 for around $165.00. Is it worth it?. I already have Painter Essentials 3, but like so things that are included in Painter IX, like Auto Cloning, and additional gradients. Not sure if I would use everything Painter IX has to offer. I fo have a Wacom Graphire 4 tablet.

[Pauline]

I have the full version of painter. Started out with the essentials that came with my tablet and just had to have it. It is a lot more powerful program. Essentals to painter IX.5 is like elements to full version photoshop.

Sadly I have not had much time to play with it and really learn to work it, but if you enjoy essentials and can get that good a deal, go for it. There is a new book out called Digital Painting and Collage that I'm interested in getting. It's for Painter and PS and has little chapters on about 20 artists. Supposed to be a very good book.

[Carbone]

Painter IX.5 has much more to offer than Essentials. I would start by downloading the demo, see how much at home you fell with it. Then decide. The auto-clone is one very popular feature and works not only with cloners but with any brush using a paint dab.

Painter IX.5 reads PSD document (amongst the dozens of formats it supports), so it complements PSE very nicely.

Ray

[Shari]

Pauline and Ray - sorry to be so ignorant again but I was going to ask about this at some point. I got Essentials (2 I think) with my tablet. When I looked at it it seemed to do similar things as Elements so I did not take time with it. When you say you use the programme along with Elements does that mean you can use the Painter for an effect then work at it in elements if you wish. Is there enough in these programmes that is different from what you can do in Elements to get them? I have a birthday and Christmas coming up and my husband likes ideas but I don't want to get things that I install and never use. It is like my camera he offered to get me another lense but I don't feel I am ready! I guess the question is - should I be exploring my Essentials 2 further???
Shari

[Carbone]

Painter is a painting apps, PSE is a photo retouching apps. Different beasts for different tasks. For turning pictures in painting, for creating out of the ordinary frames or background, applying paper texture, creating the "3D" painting effect (impasto), etc, Painter is ideal. Painter has some filters à la Photoshop and can do basic colour correction. PSE can do basic painting, but its brush engine is just too severely limited to be compete with Painter. It excels at photo retouching, colour correction, and has some cool creation tools.

Take for example the Watercolour effect. Nothing like that exists in PSE. Or the Auto-cloning. Or the ability to apply light to the canvas and the material used to paint (oil, ink, etc).

I would really recommend you download the demo version. If I remember correctly, even Photoshop User magazine gave Painter a super high score for completing Photoshop CS 2.

Ray

[Shari]

Thanks Ray - I will do some exploring.
Shari

[jedimasterk]

So in other words Painter is really more for Photoshop CS 2 users or those who are seriously into digital painting.

[Carbone]

No, it's for anyone and everyone who is tempted to paint. Either turn a picture into a painting, create a scene from scratch, or add painted elements to a picture.

For example, it has those lovely Image Hose. The painted design is actually an object rather than a real paint brush. Have a look at this short movie I made :

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/CorelPainterIX152.mov

Ray

[Pauline]

Ray explained it very well. They are two very different programs. If I were retouching a photo I wouldn't go into Painter. If I want to turn that photo into a painting I could go there. Also if I want to start a painting from scratch. There is a lot of cool stuff and I need to spend more time exploring it. The painting brushes are entirely different between the two programs. The brushes in Painter are more like the real thing.

You can do your own paintings or you can let the program do them for you, and they do look like real paintings. The ones in PS really don't have the same look.

Ray I almost broke down and ordered the Digital painting and Collage book Sunday! It's getting good reviews. I really must wait until I've worked farther through Katrin Eimann's books though. There is only so much I can do.

[Carbone]

I put it on hold too. It's summer and I don't spend as much time in front of the computer as I do in Winter. Besides, I just gave many books so I'm not just ready to see my shelves get full again, not that soon anyway :)

I will order it, that is for sure. It looks like a really nice book and something I do a lot too.

Ray

[Pauline]

:eek: RAY I lost control. I broke down and ordered it just now. I NEED it. :D This MUST be my last book for a while. I have no more room left on my desk and if I pile any more on it, it might collapse. I'm really looking forward to getting it and hope I get some ideas for my niece's wedding pictures that I am currently working on. Book are never a waste.

[Carbone]

I agree with you, books are never a waste. It's just that space is very rare in my computer room :D

Ray

[jedimasterk]

I broke down to. Just ordered Painter IX.5 Upgrade last night. Been using the trial, and enjoy using it more than Essentials 3. Since I also have Essentials 2 which came with my Wacom Tablet. I gave my Essentials 3 to my brother. I like the fact that it will compliment both my Photosop Elements 3 and Paintshop Pro X. Will continue to use trial to it arrives. Here are a couple of images that I had digitally painted from photos so far. Remember I am still a novice at this.;)
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8462/outsidepaintinggn9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1264/jensonbuttonrc9.png (http://imageshack.us)
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/6155/nockamixonlakelf3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[rclinton]

My 2 cents. I have been using Painter IX.5 for about a year along with PSE4 and I love it. As some have suggested, they both have their strengths and weaknesses. For example, this week's tutorial on changing a photo into an oil painting effect does not even come close to the results you can get with Painter. I usually optimize my photos in PSE4 first, for instance, bump up the color sat, and then move over to Painter to get that "painterly effect". These 2 programs really compliment each other well. So well in fact, I suggest we have a forum decussion titled "PSE4 and Painter IX". Susan Ruddick Bloom's book "Digital Collage and Painting" is good, but I suggest beginner's start with "Painter IX Creativity" by Jeremy Sutton. Here's his website, check out his gallery. www.paintercreativity.com

Robert

[Carbone]

I got that book too and it's reall an excellent book. A dedicated sub-forum would be great, indeed, especially since many PSE users get Painter Essentials bundled with a wacom tablet. Great idea!

Ray

[Pauline]

Hi Robert. I never got that book because I'm just not too fond of Jeremy's style of painting. I do have a dvd of him doing a portrait and it was neat to watch him work, but I go for the more realistic look myself.

One excellent book I have is Painter IX for photographers. I also have the Painter IX Wow book which I have not spent much time with as it's a bit over my head right now. I need to spend more time playing and getting my basics down.

[rclinton]

Hi Pauline
You are correct, Jeremy's style is more impressionistic. But I think he stresses the "how to" more in his book rather than copying his style. I have the other 2 books you mentioned as well and I agree that Painter Wow! is a bit over my head too.
Let's get that forum started!! LOL

[rclinton]

BTW...great artwork JediMasterK!!

[Shari]

OK you guys got me going - On my Painter Essentials 2 that came with my tablet. Realized when I was fooling around should be using my PEN as that is what the programme came with. I watched a few of the tutorials by Lynda and see where to start. I will muddle my way though - must admit it seems pretty easy knowing a bit about Elements and the tools now. Who knows - maybe somewhere down the line bigger and better things are in store for me. Sooo much to learn between cameras, PSE, Pen and tablet and now this - oh yea and finding out to print to size, frame, paper to buy ...... but I love it. Everything is right here in my working space - no fuss - no mess - just learning and experimenting and I love it!!!!
Shari

[Pauline]

Yes Shari the learning never ends. I have found though with summer most of my learning has been put on hold. Too many interuptions and it's hard to get into it. Also since August has come so has the better weather. Gone is the humidity that kept me locked in doors in the AC for the entire month of July. I am enjoying getting out but then again, I'm still learning as I take my books on the deck and read them. These days it seems I am buying them faster than I'm reading them so I have lots of catching up to do.

It's been so long since I've opened Painter I've probably forgotten everything I've learned. You are right in that once you learn one program it is a bit easier to use the next. The one area that can be confusing is a few of the different short cuts. I'd like to do a painting for my niece's wedding pictures I've been working on so perhaps I will give myself that assignment next week when my hubby is done is holidays.

[Pauline]

Robert, we can just continue to use this thread. No big deal. Only those who are interested will look at it since it's labeled Painter IX.

While Jeremy's book may be on theory, call me a stickler, but I really need to love the work someone does to follow along. I am a painter myself (with real brushes) and have always preferred realism. It's just the way I am. I suppose it would be better if I loosened up and did something wild, but that's just not me. I could never even consider slapping bright blue and yellow and reds on a face and mixing them all together. I also am a more structured painter and need to start with a line drawing. I do envy those than can paint like Jeremy and start with nothing and slap those colours on that look so horrible and end up with a final result that actually does resemble the person. Faces are one of the hardest things to paint.
Also I paint in acrylic and rarely work wet on wet, so there again is another difference and something I struggle with. My base layer is always dry before adding highlights and shadows.

[Shari]

Pauline - I hope you will show us the wedding photos when finished. This is definitely something I would like to learn in the future. Meanwhile I will play around with Essentials. I just got the continuing education paper in the mail and see there is a camera course for digital. This is for those that want to go beyond auto. It is two Saturdays 9 - 4. Unfortunately not until November but I have a lot to keep me going. I was going to take a course on the internet but I think actually taking my camera to a class will be better for me. Once I learn to take photos I love I can work on the painting. I will keep checking up on this thread to learn from you experts!
Shari

[Pauline]

Shari the photography course should be great.

Don't be calling me an expert at Painter!! Not even close. I haven't used it near enough to even be comfortable with it, but it's my mission in Sept. to get going on it. There is so much potential with the program. I hope I can do a half decent wedding one. We'll see. If it turns out I'll post it.

[Shari]

OK Pauline - expert to ME. Looking forward to seeing your photos.
Shari

[Shari]

Hi again Pauline - can I ask you a question on the Painter Essentials. I have been fooling around. I came across image hose. When I clicked on it - it came up with a nice image of a flower. I have looked in the help and I cannot find out where that image came from or how I could get other images to use with this feature. I won't bug you with a lot of questions about the programme but I did like that feature and would like to try some other images. Thanks.
Shari

[Pauline]

Shari, on the left hand side where your papers, etc. are is the selections for the image hose. Not sure exactly which one it is as there are ones there for the image hose and others for the FX brushes! I think you have 4 or 6 squares there with options under them.

Have you checked Corel's site? I think they have a new tutorial section that is for Essentials.? I know I get a monthly newsletter but have not had time to even spend with it yet and keep saving them. (there is a learning center on site for the full version but it's not really the best and not geared towards beginners as far as I'm concerned.)

[Carbone]

Shari,

Here's a short video I made for you :

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/procreatePainterClassic154.mov

Ray

[Shari]

Thank you both. Ray I can use the image hose and think it is great but I cannot figure out how to change the image or get a new image. Pauline there is nothing on the papers side. I have tried going into the help on-line - but maybe because this is Essentials 2 they do not have info anymore. I also tried doing a screen shot but no success with that either. It worked when I did it in Elements. I can see where this image hose would be great for scrapbooking. I have to go see about some dinner now but I will keep searching. Thanks for your help.
Shari

[Carbone]

The nozzles are there (follow the arrow) :

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/procreatePainterClassic155.jpg

Ray

[Shari]

Thanks Ray - finally found under nozzel selectors on the left hand side. I thought those were all paper. Now, the last question. Is it possible to add my own images to this hose? Probably not in the 2 version but maybe in newer versions - yes?
Shari

[Pauline]

Shari I can't help you with that, I haven't got that far into the program. Somehow I think you probably couldn't with essentials. You can do a google search for stuff. I think you might be able to add more images that are pre-made. Maybe Ray can help with that answer. I'm way out of my league answering painter questions at this point plus any info I look up in the manual would be for full version painter and not necessarily apply.

[Carbone]

Not in Painter Essentials 2, you can't. In full Painter IX, you can define new image hoses.

By the way, just got this yesterday :
http://apps.corel.com/painterix/community/newsletter/2006-08/index.html?trkid=tpc0806

Corel sends this to Painter users. It's not very thick, but there are nice tips.

Ray

[DMurray407]

I've been thinking about purchasing Painter Essentials for quite some time, but I haven't quite done it yet because I'm not sure how much I would use it. I just got an Academic Superstore (www.AcademicSuperstore.com) catalog in the mail and they have Painter IX.5 for $94.95, which (if I remember correctly) is about the same price as Painter Essentials 3. I am not a painter by any stretch of the imagination (I can barely draw stick people!) and would just use this program to fool around with my photos. Would I be way in over my head with Painter, or should I just go with Painter Essentials 3? I like the prospect of the different things you can use in Painter, but I'm not sure I need them. I tried the trial version of Painter Essentials 3 awhile ago and was kind of lost-though I see that Eclectic Academy does offer a few Painter classes.
Help me decide . . .
Thanks!

I see that Corel has Painter Essentials 3 for 69.00 (download version).

[Carbone]

Painter Essentials is a software that requires dedication, just as Photoshop Elements does. If you only want to do photo to painting ports, then Essentials will be ok. If you want to do more, go with the full Painter.

However, it really requires dedication. You can't expect to learn and fully use this software in over a couple of days.

There are various places for on-line help on Painter. Lynda.com, Ecclectic Academy, Karen Sperling tutorials, books.

Ray

[Pauline]

for such a slight difference in price I would go with the full version. Like Ray says though it takes dedication to learn. This thread got me going again and I was out on the deck reading my Painter book (the heat drove me back in again). It's so easy for me to go back to photoshop since I know what I'm doing there, but there was a time when ps wasn't easy either and I was clueless.

You don't have to draw to use painter as you can use your photos and clone them. You control the paper type, and the brushes you use so therefore you can control what the painting looks like. There is an auto mode too where it will do it for you.

On Lynda.com there is an excellent series of videos for both Painter and Essentials. Well worth watching and investing in a month's subscription. It will help you at least get the basics down.

[DMurray407]

Thanks! I decided to go ahead and get the fill version Painter IX.5-it's a long cold winter here in Minnesota, so I'll have time to fool with a new program (like I don't already have enough things to keep me occupied!).

[Carbone]

I am sure you're going to like it! As Pauline said, Painter is not only for drawing. You can use it to create super frames. I like the fact that the frames are really unique to one picture.

Ray

[Pauline]

That's wonderful Deb. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I'm actually looking forward to fall and getting back into the learning process, once all the kids are back in school. You get so much more done without interuptions........and let's not even mention how many times the phone rings with 3 teens in the house. Who can concentrate?

[jedimasterk]

Some nice things I have already done with Painter 9.5 and PSE 3.
Original Image:
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5994/img0126smch0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Painter IX.5 Watercolor conversion:
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/282/sailboatsmzs9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
:)

[jedimasterk]

Original:
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1816/img00092nz1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Painter IX.5 enhanced:
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/7876/img00091qw9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)