Bambi Brannan wrote two articles on alternatives to Adobe Creative Suite. The firs dealt with alternatives for Fireworks and Illustrator. But the article that got my attention was strictly on alternatives to Photoshop.
Now we have heard of such alternatives as GIMP in the past, but she says: “no, GIMP fans, don’t tell me how wonderful it is and that it’s free—it’s not that good; really.”
The first application that she mentions is GraphicConverter ($34.95), which she says has 2 of the 3 features that are required for a good app. Those are power and low cost. The one is missing is ease of use.
Next she mentions Pixelmator ($59), saying “Pixelmator isn’t Photoshop but it feels like it. Tools and palettes are everywhere and laced with that nice charcoal 21st century look we so love. If you’ve ever used Photoshop then you’ll be right at home in Pixelmator.”
When she compares the two she says, “One is 21st century graphic madness. The other is so last century.”
Then after a page break she gives us the third program…
This is her favorite and the big surprise is that it is Photoshop Elements, ($99.99, see special offer below.)
About Elements she says: “I’m serious. Think about it. It’s powerful. It’s familiar. It’s easier to use. It’s loaded with well known features and tools, and yet, unlike the big brother (let me call it Adobe Photoshop Heavy) version, also comes with a number of outstanding consumer level features which make it a simple point and click effort to achieve professional results—without a tutor who lives in your basement or over the garage.”
See her article here: http://mac360.com/index.php/mac360/comments/affordable_mac_alternatives_for_adobe_photoshop_cs5_pt_2/P1/
GraphicConverter: http://www.lemkesoft.com/
Pixelmator: http://www.pixelmator.com/
Adobe Elements with a $30 off “Mother’s Day offer.” http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/?sdid=EPZYR
