Software for Digital Artists

One of the most important things that digital artists will need to use is an appropriate software program for the job. Programs like Corel Painter are especially popular, but there are all sorts of tools to use for digital painting. Here's a look at some of the software for digital artists that can be used.

Corel Painter is clearly the most popular among all pieces of software in this category. This is a program where the user can use a graphics tablet to create great images. However, this goes well beyond just creating images in that users can use all sorts of different effects. These effects include using oil paints and watercolors, which are common materials for classical artists. The most recent version of this program is Corel Painter X, which was released in 2007. Details can be found at corel.com.

Adobe Photoshop is another great program to use for digital art. Created by Adobe Systems, this is a program that digital artists use to edit graphics, and this is popular among digital artists. While a graphics tablet is not required for the program it can be used to help create especially specific details to a portrait. Effects can be added to the portrait that is going to be worked on for digital art, including lighting and even additional materials. Files from Photoshop can even be imported to other Adobe programs, including Adobe Encore DVD, meaning that the artwork can be put onto a DVD that one can make. Details on the program, which is currently in version 10.0.1, is online at adobe.com.

openCanvas is one of the more popular tools used by digital artists in Japan, but it is also available in North America. Tablets that are especially sensitive to pressure should be used for this program, as this is more of a program that is used for sketches than that of creating full on graphic designs. This can actually be used as a good tool for preparing a major project for use on another program like Corel Painter. The website for openCanvas is at portalgraphics.net, the websites for the program's creator, Portalgraphics.

The GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP, is the last of the options to use. Colors on images can be altered and tens of different brush styles can be used in the program to give digital artists more control of what they are working on. Gradients and color blending are also easy to handle. However, this program does not work with Adobe Photoshop. The program is available at gimp.org, and as of December 2007 the program is on version 2.4.3.

These are all great examples of software for digital artists. These programs can be used to help with creating beautiful works of digital art or for improving on one's own works. No matter what the need of a digital artist is there is definitely a program that can be used for that person's needs.