Paint Shop Pro Question

I'm looking into getting one of the graphic editing programs and it seems that Paint Shop Pro is the most affordable one. (Photo Shop is just super expensive.) Is this right? And, which version do most people use PSP X or PSP Photo XI or something else? Thanks for any help!

I use PSP X for now, and it is quite adequate for most tasks. I think it will serve well until the budget allows for PhotoShop, which is the preferred tool of graphic artists for a reason

I use Paint Shop Pro 8, and it's more than adequate. (It's got some nasty bugs, but I can't figure out if those are the program itself or just my lousy, bug-ridden system.)

However, there's also always GIMP, which is free. I've never used it myself, but I've heard it's more or less just as good as Paint Shop.

Ive used all the PSP's and so far 9 is my favorite. I agree with Mirel that psp 8 has a TON of bugs, and will leave you very frustrated. Any graphics program can be more than adequate if you learn it well.

There are some who swear by Corel's Photopaint over Photoshop, regardless of price difference. It is part of the CorelDRAW X3 Graphics Suite and is a much more stable option when compared to PSP.

Well I use both paintshop Pro 6 and Photoshop CS2
I can't say i've encounterd bugs in psp6 but it is a little outdated. I find it is still quite versitile and after using it for years I was able to operate photoshop with relitive ease.
The biggest problem with psp6 is that it wont save the alpha channels for the .tga files in 32bit depth. I think it only goes to 24. I am begining to realize the power of the PS CS2, but old programs that you have used for several years are compfy, kinda like a vintage automobile. LOL my father is still using photoshop5

I use PSP 9 and I really like it, photoshop would be nice but for me as well it is too expensive. So far I havent had any problems with PSP 9, its easy to use, and is a good program for the price Id say

I use psp 7 and 9, only problems I have sometimes is how to book's and tutorials sometimes but perhaps it just my poor brain. LOL
I like making mouse paintings and textures.
I don't know yet how to do anything complecated yet. I don't remember how to do alpha's I am going to have to relearn it.
I am trying to figure out how to make multi-dimensional objects within textures with the mouse paintings and I can't really find the type of tutorial or instruction in how to do it that would work well with Second life.
Anybody have some suggestions where to look?

Thanks for all the great advice.

So, Adobe Photoshop CS2 is $569.99. Way too expensive for me.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832105262

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI is $69.99
http://store.corel.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=OL_SKU3&promo=2374&srcid=&pculicenseid=&promocode=0&countryCode=US&storeId=10302&catalogId=10103&langId=-1

PSP X seems to be hard to find, as its the old version. I'm sure this would be the same for PSP 7, 8, 9, etc.

So, I guess PSP XI sounds like my best bet?

Yes, go with PSP XI. I used it and it works quite well. (almost as good as CS2)

For those in 8, get the demo of 11 and save the scripts, plug ins etc. They work in 8 and remove the bulk of the bugginess.

I know every serious graphics person seems to swear by Adobe Photoshop, but I've found it very obscure. I'm sure I would eventually figure it out if I put enough effort into and read the manual carefully, but I was able figure out Corel Paint Shop Pro XI very easily without reading the manual. I have a tutorial on how to use Paint Shop Pro XI to make semi-transparent butterfly wings on my blog www.secondlifehowto.com. The whole alpha channel transparency thing took me some time to get right despite some of the great advice on this forum, so you may want to look at some of the screen shots on my blog.

Sometimes you can find new unused PSP for pretty cheap on ebay.
I found mine for under 10.00 for OEM unused version there.

Don't forget Photoshop Elements!
Each and every version it's got more and more!!

Also you could buy and old photshop like 7 or 6 on Ebay ( a legal copy and upgrade for peanuts to CS2.
I heard a few ppl did that and ended up paying hardly nothing for the full version
of Photoshop

A kind friend that I met here just sent me lovely Christmas gift so I now have Photoshop 6 and CS. I will probably continue to use my photoshop pro 7 and 9 while I get use to the Adobe.
There is one question not sure if anyone has the answer for that I often wonder about is with PSP is what exactly does the different layer options do Raster, New Art Medium,etc really do and their purposes.
Any one know?
Clayton by the way I really like your how to, unfortunately I don't have PSP XI
One thing I haven't really understood is what does HUD do yet no matter how many times I have read about I just don't get the HUD thing
I am still struggling with certain things also like layering, transparencies and Alphas too

Actually, PSP is all about editing pictures. And they break up the layers with special names and you use masks to create Alpha channels etc.
Photoshop is about creation. You can create just about anything in Photoshop. But must be an artist to see its full potential. It is a gift, and there are alot think they have it and don't.
Gimp is well gimp. I personally think its name fits it perfectly. The only reason it is used is a: Its free, open source and default linux. If adobe or corel ported their product to linux and did a free demo, gimp would hobble off into the pit somewhere.
I know there are Gimp lovers. Oh well, there you go.

Look at the Gnu Image Manipulation Program, (Gimp). Free, open-source. Sure, professionals all swear by Photoshop CS3 , but for SL purposes, and beginner purposes, the Gimp is more than enough.

It is easy to download and install, for Mac, Windows, and Linux/Unix. New improved version 2.4 coming soon. Online manuals and tutorials, and an exellent book by Akkana Peck.

You could have it and be using it 20 minutes from now...