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"Free Art Package?" Topic


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Norrins15 Aug 2011 3:58 a.m. PST

I'm currently using Powerpoint and Paint to create my AARs. However, I need to add a couple of effects to some pictures and Powerpoint and Paint are some what lacking in that respect.

Is there an opensource or free art package that I can use? Did have a copy of Paint Shop Pro 5 but (as always) can't find it and I guess it won't work with Windows 7.

average joe15 Aug 2011 4:21 a.m. PST

There is GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), an almost-as-good-as-Paintshop package that is open source. It is available here: gimp.org

I use Gimp to do things like retouch photos. It has a lot of features and there is a steep learning curve, but it is worth it. There are other programs out there, such as Inkscape but I have not used them so cannot speak to their capabilities. If you are interested. look at these lists:

link

link

OldGrenadier at work15 Aug 2011 5:02 a.m. PST

My daughter uses a package called "Sai" that's a freebie off the web. I'm not sure where it is but a quick google will find it. Here's a link to a short list of such programs:

link

Personal logo Doms Decals Sponsoring Member of TMP15 Aug 2011 6:15 a.m. PST

If you do find it, PSP5 should work in compatibility mode; I use PSP7, which also pre-dates Windows 7 by some margin, but works quite happily if I tell the computer to pretend it's got Windows XP….

Dropzonetoe Fezian15 Aug 2011 6:39 a.m. PST

Here is my Ease of use/options available list of free programs from easiest – hardest;

Paint, Paint.net, inkscape, Gimp

I'd suggest Innkscape for your need in making AAR's… but disclaimer it is the one I have used the least

I personally love using Paint.net myself, even if it has less options than gimp and of couse a lot less than my old copy of Photoshop. Paint.net feels like the grown up version of paint.

Jay Arnold15 Aug 2011 8:27 a.m. PST

Check out the Draw application in the OpenOffice.Org suite. It's free/opensource and quite good. They've really gotten the bugs ironed out in the last two years or so.

Norrins16 Aug 2011 11:40 p.m. PST

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've downloaded a few things and I am trying them.

Think I've identified my key requirement in that it would be good to turn an image into a brush.

Also, a lot of the opensource stuff has little or no supporting documentation.

cosmo197422 Aug 2011 4:35 a.m. PST

Another vote for GIMP – use it every day, and almnost as good as Photoshop.. Some really great plugins that you can download to extend the functionality and range of brushes

Last Hussar22 Aug 2011 3:21 p.m. PST

If its for White Dwarf style maps – have a look at "Battle Chronicler" You can save army lists, show models or templates, use your own bmp files as map symbols, put on arrows for lines of advance etc.

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