5 Top Graphics Packages for the Talented Entrepreneur Setting Up a New Online Business

The What’s, Why’s and How’s

In a technological world, computer graphics packages are fast becoming a vital part of the online landscape. The ever-increasingly competitive internet marketplace has made it more important than ever before to have a unique and eye-catching website that stands out. And the most effective way to achieve that is by using good graphics, whether they be images, videos, illustrations, or animations. And of course, the best way of doing that is by making your website look as visually appealing as possible.

So, while we have powerful AI software like DALL.E-2 that can create fantastic imagery for us, one question that people might ask is why should anyone bother to fork out on graphics packages when AI does such a great job and being open-source, is freely available. The answer to that is there's no replacement for creating your own imagery and graphics. The fact is despite the amazing power of AI, graphics packages are perhaps now more popular than ever before.

Using a graphics package to create artwork is the ideal option for anyone who is artistically inclined and likes the idea of putting a unique and individual touch to their work. And of course, it’s a pretty useful skill to have too, for both work and business, or just for having some fun!

So, with that said, the problem now is which of the many packages out there would suit our particular needs. Unless someone has experience in graphics, choosing the right one can be quite confusing.

Since having a good website is just one of the considerations when setting up a new business -  in particular an online business - I have listed the five graphics packages that I feel are reasonably easy to learn, do not require a huge amount of prior experience, and are relatively lightweight so as not to slow down your computer too much. They are also affordable (or completely free!), after all, while the last thing you want in the early stages of your new online business is to have to fork out on expensive software. Finally, these packages are suitable for Microsoft, MAC, and Linux, so whatever operating system you're using you will be able to choose a package that is supported on your computer.

 

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The Software

All the graphic packages I have chosen for this post offer industry-standard tools and features that we have so become accustomed to using with the likes of Photoshop and Illustrator, along with unique properties depending on a given genre of work.

Krita

Gimp 2

Paintstorm Studio

Clip Studio Paint

ArtRage 6

 

Please note – There are many more packages out there what I have listed here is based on what I have felt serves well for a range of artistic styles. Moreover, while many packages are free to use, and others offer free trials, please do look carefully into which package would suit you before investing in a paid version.

 

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Krita

Compatible with Windows, MAC, Linux, Android and iPad.

Krita is an open-source graphics package, developed by artists, and can be downloaded for free directly from the Krita website. Users are however invited to make a donation to support the Krita Foundation. There are also paid sources available from webstores that donate the money directly to the Foundation for research and development.

The software is very versatile and supports both vector and bitmap applications *(see below), with a wide range of industry-standard tools, and features, like layers, grid lines, comparable with professional-level software like Illustrator included. Furthermore, it offers a Resource Manager facility where enthusiasts in the Krita community upload tools and brushes, which can be imported into your own list of tools at any time.

It’s great for beginners as it doesn’t have a very steep learning curve and has lots of features to experiment with.

*(Vector functions use mathematical equations to represent curves, lines and shapes, including text, and are very accurate and smooth, while bitmap functions use a grid of pixels to represent images, and create a more realistic effect, but lose detail upon enlarging. Both are essential in graphic design.)

Pros 

• Completely free!
• Very versatile, ideally suited for creating art, but can also be used for editing.
• Extensive list of tools and features comparable with professional graphics software.
• Can be used for creating animations.
• Time lapse facility for teaching purposes.
• Lots of downloadable resources available.
• Easy to learn.
• Good community support available.

Cons 

• Slight lag time between mouse movement and brush movement.
• Insufficient debugging or user information provided following updates.
• Does not have autosave function.
• Limited technical support due to open source nature of the software.

 

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GIMP 2

Compatible with Windows, MAC, GNU/Linux*, Android and iPad.

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Programme. It’s a and versatile powerful programme open source package.

The program has both vectors and bitmap facilities and comes with a very good range of features, including industry standards, which can compare with professional level software like Photoshop. It also provides the user with the facility to download extra plug-ins to enhance the features and functions of the program.

It's perfect for photo editing and manipulation as well as for creating traditional style painting and drawing, cartoon and comic style illustrations.

*(The GNU operating system is the foundation system which supports Linux.)

Pros 

• Completely free!
• Very good for editing and manipulating images.
• Can be used for animation.
• Time lapse facility for teaching purposes.
• Large range of customisable features included, along with the facility to download compatible third party plug-ins for customisation.
• Very intuitive user interface.
• Frequently updated and debugged.
• Good level of community support available.

Cons 

• Some prior skills required.
• Can become slow when uploading large files.
• Limit to the number of layers per file. *(see below)
• Selection and cropping tools slightly imprecise.

*(Layers are separate sections of an image that can be manipulated independently of each other. They are superimposed upon each other and viewed together create the complete image.)

 

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Paintstorm Studio

Compatible with Windows, MAC, Linux, Android and iPad.

Paintstorm Studio was created by a couple of artists who felt that the existing software lacked some important features that they wanted from a graphics package. It can be downloaded from the Paintstorm Studio website with a one-time purchase, for a very affordable price.

It's very powerful and versatile program, with both vector based and bitmap functions, that allows the user to create traditional artwork like paintings, along with 3-D graphics and animation, and do photo editing and manipulation too.

It has a very customisable interface to suit individual needs. And comes with a large range of brushes and tools, including a perspective tool which can be used to create a realistic look without having to change brush sizes, colours and tone constantly for a sense of depth. There’s also a facility that allows the user to blend tones and colours with underlying layers when required.

Pros 

• One-time time purchase of $19.00 ($29.00 for two computers option also available.)
• Comes with several very useful pre-sets allowing the user to become familiarised with the software easily.
• Wide range of tools including perspective tool and blender tool that works with underlying layers and stroke stabiliser function.
• Wide range of brushes including realistic bristle brushes.
• Mixer palate facility that allows colours to be mixed and blended for a unique look.
• Highly customisable interface.

Cons 

• Still seems to be in Beta (developmental stage).
• Rather defective cropping tool.
• Lacks text tool.
• Poor support available as yet.
• Cannot share files between devices.

 

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Clip Studio Paint

Compatible with Windows, MAC, Linux, Android and iPad and more.

Clip Studio Paint is a very intuitive, vector based program using AI technology, comparable to Photoshop. It has all the industry standard functions, and in its capacity to handle 3-D files, is more advanced than Photoshop. It was developed by a Japanese company, and is perfect for creating manga, the unique Japanese genre of comic style animations. It's very versatile and can be used for a wide range of artistic styles.

Ideal for drawing, making cartoons, comic illustrations, 3-D images, animations, it can also be used for basic design work.

The package also has a time lapse facility also which is ideal for teaching as it allows for a given piece of work to be viewed back at each stage of its development.

It has two versions PRO and EX; Pro provides a maximum of 24 frames per file and is thus more suited to smaller projects, whereas the EX version does not set such restrictions, and can be used for creating animated films

Pros

• Two versions available with single lifetime purchase. $49 for PRO, £219 for EX version.
• 30 day free trial period available for both versions.
• Very intuitive and customisable software.
• Extensive toolkit.
• Extensive library of importable tools and brushes, many available for free.
• Ability to import Photoshop brushes.
• Multi-page PDF export facility.
• Facility to convert 3-D images into 2-D artwork in a range of different styles.

Cons

• Does not have inbuilt audio function for animations.
• Limited range of fonts.
• Does not allow text to be linked to vector paths.
• Assets library in Japanese.
• PRO version does not allow vector files to be exported in original editable format.
• Can slow down CPU function on older machines.
• Steep learning curve due to its complexity.

 

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ArtRage 6

Compatible with Windows, MAC, Linux, Android, iPad and more.

ArtRage was developed by a small company based in New Zealand for artists, who want a realistic feeling art experience using computers. It supports both vector-based and bitmap functions.

It's a very intuitive program using AI technology and has a number of unique features including numerous brush types that react very realistically to paper and canvas texture, adjustable palette knife and a stencil function. It offers a range of painting styles, watercolour, oil, pastels, and so on, as well as canvas and paper textures, as well as all the usual features like grid lines, layers and so on. It can be used for a creating realistic paintings, graphics, animations, illustrations, comics, graphic art and manga.

Pros

• Single lifetime purchase of $59
• Very intuitive, easy to use interface.
• Unique selection of tools and brushes.
• Customisable brushes and palate facilities.
• Realistic effect.
• Fully exportable files.
• Good community resources.
• Good level of support available.

Cons

• Larger files can take time to download.

 

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Conclusion

Each of the above graphic packages has its own specific advantages depending on the type of artwork it's intended for. So while each offers a wide scope for results, it is best to choose a package according to the type of online business you're setting up, and what outcome you want to achieve out of the software.

For people who are relatively new to computer graphics, Krita would most likely be the best choice due to its user-friendly interface. It's good for image creation and animation. It is open source and thus ideal for small enterprises, or people wanting to minimise start-up costs.

For photographers, Gimp would be good, as it's designed primarily for editing and manipulating images. It is also open source like Krita, but has a relatively steeper learning curve.

For people who want a graphics package that offers a realistic 'touch sensitive' experience, Paintstorm Studio is a good choice. It has a large range of brush styles as well as customisable tools and offers perspective and symmetry options.

For cartoonists, comic book artists, and creators of manga, Clip Studio Paint is a good choice as it has a very large selection of 3-D modeling and animation options.

For people who want a realistic experience of artwork through a digital interface, ArtRage is the best package as it has tools and brushes that mimic real life.