Web Graphics Software

When I started designing web sites, I downloaded a trial copy of what was then called Jasc's PaintShop Pro. Photoshop was also available, but I was 14 years old and it was completely out of my price range (it's still about US $699). I switched to Photoshop once I had some income coming in from advertisements, but PaintShop Pro is really what got me started.

I picked up a copy of the latest PaintShop Pro this week for $50 (hall price) at BestBuy, because it was on sale and I've been using my Acer Nettop a lot recently. It's made by Corel now, but it's become an amazing product, and at $50 it's a great investment. The license is a lot like Photoshop, you can install it on a main computer and a laptop with one copy as long as you don't run them both simultaneously.

I'd like to point out that I think GIMP (free) is a great program, Paint..NET is good if you're in a hurry, and ArtRage is an amazing product if you're using a stylus and drawing pad. But on sale, PaintShop Pro is a steal.

Here's the official site. And the BestBuy link if you want to see if it's on sale.