[socreative]

I currently use Photoshop to create logos, retouch photos, and to remove backgrounds in photos. What software is on an iMac (or what software could I inexpensively add to an iMac) to do the same types of things?

[Bancho]

Maybe Photoshop?

Sorry, I know that could be perceived as sarcastic .

GIMP would work too (and it's free). In fact, you could install GIMPShop and even have menus set up to mimic Photoshop.

[atomicbartbeans]

Not sure, but I've heard good things about this little app... it's somewhat obscure, but it's supposed to be pretty good.

[Wyatt]

Well, there's GIMP, which is free and quite powerful. Some people don't like it, though (I don't have an opinion--I'm not familiar enough with it to make a judgement). There's also Fireworks, which is more for Web images than photos, but that's what I use and I like it quite a lot (although its text work leaves a lot to be desired, IMO).

[ghoti]

There's also GIMPShop, which is basically just a different frontend for GIMP so it works much more like PhotoShop. You could also take a look at Photoshop Elements, which is great for photo editing, and much cheaper than the full version. It lacks a few features, of course, especially those important to graphic designers.

[julesstoop]

Originally Posted by socreative I currently use Photoshop to create logos, retouch photos, and to remove backgrounds in photos. What software is on an iMac (or what software could I inexpensively add to an iMac) to do the same types of things?

Please mind that Adobe made Photoshop for the Mac several years before they released (could release) their first version for Windows.

[socreative]

Originally Posted by julesstoop Please mind that Adobe made Photoshop for the Mac several years before they released (could release) their first version for Windows.

I KNOW this...but they obviously created it for someone with A LOT more disposable income than me! I can't afford to buy a Mac version of Photoshop.

[Wrao]

If photoshop is your bread and butter, you *can* afford it. Otherwise, Get Photoshop Elements or something.

[Bancho]

Or use GIMPShop as it's a universal binary unlike any of the Adobe apps at the moment.

As Wrao said though, if you're making a living off of it, you can probably afford the real thing (even if the price is ugly).

[Luca]

GraphicConverter is cheap. A bit archaic, sometimes, but inexpensive and pretty intuitive.

http://www.lemkesoft.com/

[socreative]

Originally Posted by Wrao If photoshop is your bread and butter,

LOL! NOT! Photoshop is more of a day old Saltine to a poor little 'ole public school teacher from Georgia like me!

[aecheylon]

Can't you just convert your PC license over to a Mac version? I thought Adobe had some way of doing that...

[psmith2.0]

I thought so too.

Otherwise, I think Photoshop Elements is around $99. And it might even be downloadable from Adobe's site (or did I dream that?), so you could have it RIGHT NOW.



EDIT: Ah, just checked. It is indeed available for download, and it's only $80 for the full version ($60 for upgrade). It's 454MB though, so don't do it on dial-up...might take a while.



https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/sto...ementsMac&NR=0

[Wyatt]

Nope.

Originally Posted by Adobe Macromedia policy is to design and provide software for specific platforms. When you purchase a single software license, you are permitted to install and use your copy of the software on a single platform. Adobe develops software for different platforms (such as Mac OS, Windows, Linux) and sells the software built for separate platforms as separate products. If you wish to use the products on different platforms, you must purchase a license of the software for each platform you will be using.

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/knowled...9592#platforms

[Engine Joe]

That may be policy, but I have - in the past - been successful at convincing Adobe and a couple of other software houses to give me a crossgrade license for free or a significantly reduced price. The thinking is that they'd rather keep you as a customer than lose your business to someone else - you're out of their upgrade stream at that point (and that's really what they want out of you once you're a customer... to come back again!). Not that I've pushed it... but when they say no, and ask if I'd like to buy a Mac license, I decline... and sometimes they start to soften.

I've been more successful with this approach by calling than by emailing, FYI. Still no guarantees of success with any company... and it's been a while since I've done this sort of thing. So who knows what'll happen these days.

I consider it analogous to cancelling a credit card. "Why?" "Oh, I have other cards with lower interest rates and higher limits" and they very often try to sweeten the deal to keep you.

[julesstoop]

Originally Posted by socreative I KNOW this...but they obviously created it for someone with A LOT more disposable income than me! I can't afford to buy a Mac version of Photoshop.

Sorry. Didn't mean to sound condescending.

[turbulentfurball]

If you're going to buy an Intel Mac, why not try Boot Camp and your current Windows license for Photoshop? (Of course, you may be required to purchase another Windows license which negates some of the financial incentive)

[MCQ]

Originally Posted by pscates2.0 I thought so too. Otherwise, I think Photoshop Elements is around $99. And it might even be downloadable from Adobe's site (or did I dream that?), so you could have it RIGHT NOW.

The interface for PS Elements 4 on Windows is surprisingly slow in my limited experience with a trial version. While I haven't tried the Mac version personally - if a trial exists I would highly suggest trying it first.

[Banana]

Originally Posted by MCQ The interface for PS Elements 4 on Windows is surprisingly slow in my limited experience with a trial version. While I haven't tried the Mac version personally - if a trial exists I would highly suggest trying it first.

FWIW, I have it myself and find it to be quite nice. Slow on start up (like any other Adobe products ), but is pretty responsive overall.

[Brad]

Thread cleaned of off-topic junk.

tensdanny38: Suggesting piracy (even hinting at it) is not welcome here. First and only warning.

[alcimedes]

An application like Parallels might be worth investing in for you then. It will allow you to run Windows within an application in OSX. You'd be able to do any and all Windows things (other than 3D games) from an application window.

Parallels site is here. It's something like $50 now, going to be $80 again soon. (15th)

[colivigan]

Originally Posted by Brad Thread cleaned of off-topic junk.

One man's junk is another man's treasure.

Not to imply that there was any treasure here. Although I kinda liked the banana cartoon.

Jeez (geese?), you're not planning to do this for all the threads are you?

[chartpacs]

Since you said you're a school teacher, does the educational pricing of Photoshop make it more attractive for you to purchase? To give you an idea:

1) Adobe CS2 Creative Suite ($389)
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...?PartNo=731430

2) Adobe Photoshop CS2 ($289)
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...?PartNo=731441

[babelfishi]

Inkscape will do. Its free, but requires X11.

[usurp]

I would suggest ChocoFlop. It also launches in like 1 second and is free.

http://www.chocoflop.com/

Better then the bloated X11 softwares

note: Not better as in more features, better as in this fits on 1.44 floppy

[blakbyrd]

Originally Posted by babelfishi Inkscape will do. Its free, but requires X11.

That's more of an Illustrator-type alternative, not Photoshop. It is good, though.

[chucker]

Originally Posted by usurp I would suggest ChocoFlop. It also launches in like 1 second and is free. http://www.chocoflop.com/ Better then the bloated X11 softwares note: Not better as in more features, better as in this fits on 1.44 floppy

Well, I love ChocoFlop, but frankly, it isn't really anywhere near productive use.

[World Leader Pretend]

Originally Posted by socreative LOL! NOT! Photoshop is more of a day old Saltine to a poor little 'ole public school teacher from Georgia like me!

Hey, if you're a teacher then you might be able to find a college re-seller nearby. My campus store is selling the entire CS2 suite (Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2, InDesign CS2, GoLive CS2, Acrobat 7.0 Pro) for only $399 with a valid educational ID. Considering that the MSRP is $1,200 that's a great deal. I'm sure that if you check around places like these you can find photoshop pretty dang cheap. I use Gimp because I'm really dang cheap

[macleod]

Couldn't you also wait for the Universal version of CS2 suite to be released and then get the non-universal if it goes on a big sale? (If you aren't using an intel mac or just don't care if it is Universal or not)

[Kraetos]

Originally Posted by socreative I KNOW this...but they obviously created it for someone with A LOT more disposable income than me! I can't afford to buy a Mac version of Photoshop.

Uhhh.... aren't they the same price?

Yup. On Amazon: Mac $588, Windows $589. So actually, the Mac version is cheaper!

Furthermore, I have punched in a Mac PS activation code into a Windows PS trial download and achieved success! And by success I mean it asked me where the old version of PS was (which I dont have for Windows - back to 5.5 for Mac, but no luck for Windows) because it was an upgrade code. So, it would work if you had a FULL Windows code - no upgrades! Also, you're going the other way, and I can't imagine that would change anything but you never know.

Also, remember: you're a teacher, so you could get an educational discount if you wanted. The price varies around the internets but they normally fall somewhere between $250 - $300 for a full version. $290 on where I normally go, JourneyEd.com

On a final note, if you're used to Photoshop, going to something cheaper will be hard. Also, if you use Photoshop to make money, then you would recoup the $300 cost pretty quick.