OT: Painter and Wacom questions
Linda Antonsson
I am off topic here, but I thought that maybe someone around here would
be able to help. I've been considering getting a Wacom tablet, and
perhaps Painter to go with it.
But, a visit to Metacreations homepage confused me somewhat as there
seems to be an awful lot of different Painter versions. There was a
Painter 3D, a Painter Classic, a Painter 5.5 Web Edition and a Painter 6
(preview) listed, and it was hard to get a good idea about what is
different between the different versions. Anyone out there able to shed
some light on this?
Also, concerning the Wacom tablet, does anyone know of an on-line store
that ships to Europe? I've not been able to track down the version I'd
like (the Wacom PenPartner USB, preferably bundled with some Painter
version) around here (Sweden) so far. The same, so far, also goes for
PSP 6, but I am hoping that'll change since I've grown rather fond of
the beta. ;)
Many thanks for any advice,
Linda
Shadoewen
hand....Painter Classic is very basic and probably a good intro to the
Painter program. Painter in general has a learning curve steeper than
Photoshop. The latest version (6) does support "layers" as most of us know
them. There are so many features, ect...in Painter that "picking up and
using quickly" is quite likely not gonna happen. I've had version 5.5 for a
half a year and I'm still learning.
Bottom line: Unless you are a "traditional" artist going from canvas to
computer, then by all means invest (and I do mean invest) in Painter. If you
are looking for a cool program to "touch up" images from PSP, try something
alot less expensive and easier to learn. Get your Wacom and play with
Painter Classic. If you think it is useful, invest in version 6. For more
info check out the Painter newsgroup: alt.fractal-design.painter They are
a tremendous help and can probably answer your questions better than I :)
Hope I helped in some way,
Shad
Linda Antonsson <fre...@swipnet.se> wrote in message
news:37C4488F...@swipnet.se...
Britta
> I am off topic here, but I thought that maybe someone around here would
> be able to help. I've been considering getting a Wacom tablet, and
> perhaps Painter to go with it.
I just recently purchased A Wacom PenPartner (USB) that came with
PainterClassic.
I'm not sure I can give you a lot of advice, since I'm located in New
Zealand, but I'll tell you what I know and I'm sure other people will
chip in with their advice.
> But, a visit to Metacreations homepage confused me somewhat as there
> seems to be an awful lot of different Painter versions. There was a
> Painter 3D, a Painter Classic, a Painter 5.5 Web Edition and a Painter 6
> (preview) listed, and it was hard to get a good idea about what is
> different between the different versions.
I can't help you a lot there, although I thought the descriptions on the
website were fairly informative.
Basically, the full "Painter" programme will have a lot more features
(like layers and alpha channels etc.) than the PainterClassic.
PainterClassic is very much specialized for artistic rendering (loads of
different brushstroke styles etc.), but does not support layers. I'm
just beginning to explore it and find it's a neat programme for
*complementing* PSP.
> Also, concerning the Wacom tablet, does anyone know of an on-line store
> that ships to Europe?
I don't offhand, but if you go to a shopping comparison site (like
CNet's shopper.com), you will find the online stores are listed there
with a rubric for "International Sales Yes/No".
> I've not been able to track down the version I'd
> like (the Wacom PenPartner USB, preferably bundled with some Painter
> version) around here (Sweden) so far.
I had a bit of a problem getting ahold of the PenPartner here, so I
checked out Wacom's site
(the European site is at http://www.wacom.de/index2.htm), and they have
all the international distributors listed.
http://www.wacom.de/contact/contact_text/distrib.htm
Contact your national distributor for Wacom products, and they should be
able to tell you which stores/agents sell their products. Alternatively
(this is what I did), you can go with this info to your favourite
computer/software retailer and ask them to get the product for you from
the distributor.
Cheers :)
Britta :)
R. Joanne Johnson
PSPro for many things too) and have preordered 6. It seems that 6 is going
to have what they call industry standard layers (as opposed to the present
floaters) and the interface is suppose to be more user friendly, text on a
path and more brushes. . Painter is known for its difficult, steep
learning curve. Painter is unbeatable when it comes to natural media
brushes in my opinion.
Painter 3 D is for painting and creating maps for 3 D models. Painter
Classic is Painter with less features.
--
Joanne
My Home page: http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/6736/
Linda Antonsson wrote in message <37C4488F...@swipnet.se>...
>Hi all,
>
>I am off topic here, but I thought that maybe someone around here would
>be able to help. I've been considering getting a Wacom tablet, and
>perhaps Painter to go with it.
>
>seems to be an awful lot of different Painter versions. There was a
>Painter 3D, a Painter Classic, a Painter 5.5 Web Edition and a Painter 6
>(preview) listed, and it was hard to get a good idea about what is
>some light on this?
>
>like (the Wacom PenPartner USB, preferably bundled with some Painter
Ronald Vick
>Hi all,
>
>I am off topic here, but I thought that maybe someone around here would
>be able to help. I've been considering getting a Wacom tablet, and
>perhaps Painter to go with it.
>
>But, a visit to Metacreations homepage confused me somewhat as there
>seems to be an awful lot of different Painter versions. There was a
>Painter 3D, a Painter Classic, a Painter 5.5 Web Edition and a Painter 6
>(preview) listed, and it was hard to get a good idea about what is
>different between the different versions. Anyone out there able to shed
>some light on this?
Those are all variations of basically the same program. The most basic
version is Art Dabbler, with basic brush and pencil tools. Next up is Painter
Classic which gives the full 'Painter' interface. Painter 3D is the same
thing, but it specializes in working with 3D models from other programs.
(Incidently, it's weakened because it cannot save skins for other programs.)
Painter 5.5 Web adds animation and web communications to Painter Classic, and
of course, Painter 6 is the upgrade to Painter 5.5.
Painter's strengths are the 'Natural' tools that may be used, such as
paintbrushes that may be used to apply watercolor, oils, chalk, etc, with
total control of the brush size, shape, and bristles. There's also palette
knifes, pencil etc. The effect these give is remarkable in artwork, and I've
always hoped that PSP would give us some tools that would work the same way.
(PSP7, maybe? Hint, Hint!)
>
>Many thanks for any advice,
>
>Linda
Sorry, don't know about the Wacom in europe.
Ron
PSP terrorist- D'Lan de Caresk Chapter - Executive Officer
Linda Antonsson
Thanks a lot for the help everybody. :) Guess it might turn out to be an
expensive September. ;)
Linda