#Image post-processing
14 messages in this thread
This thread may be long dead (am I a poet and don't know it?) but
how would you rate Fractal for a total non-artist? One of the things
I like about Photostyler is that I can do things with an image that
make me think I've got skills I know I don't have — "A Triumph of
Technology Over Talent" — in much the same manner as 3DS
enables me. My take on Fractal (from reviews) was that, in the hands
of a skilled individual, it was unbeatable. But what about us unskilled
individuals?
This is a very subjective thing you're talking about. Naturally, Fractal
in the hands of a skilled technician/artist is incredible. But the tools
are so powerful that even an unskilled person can reap endless benefits.
It has much better/more tools than Photostyler, and works similarly, in
that you can bring in existing files and do whatever you want to them. As
far as creating things from scratch, Photostyler is pathetically inadequate
(not really created for that function), whereas Fractal is THE BEST!
Hope this helps,
John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
For me Fractal was the best graphics program for artists and non-artists,
image experts and non-experts, masters or aficionados, in the past. And now
is far ahead of any other graphic program in the market. It's a neverending
program, with infinite posibilities and combinations of tools, preferences
and option. With the extensions (which support multilayer capabilities) and
the version 2.0, you CAN DO ANYTHING with that program, either if you are
in the RGB (video) or the CYMK (press) world. And when you look at the
price, it will give you a heart attack. A MUST BUY, you will love it. (I
only miss a forum in CI$ 🙂
Ana
>> I only miss a forum in CI$
Check out the Painter's User Group in COMART. Good stuff in there… FDC
folks, too, including the lady who authored the manuals and some software
people.
Also, FDC has there own support forum.
Dan
Thaaaaaanks Dan! This is the kind of thing that I like to hear 🙂 I think
it's time of join and have some fun there.
Ana
No problem. I'll see ya there.
Dan
Ana,
In addition to the Painter users group, Fractal Design has their
own section in the Ultimedia A forum (what Ultimedia is, I'm not quite
sure). Just
GO FRACTAL. I just discovered it today, but it looks like its been there at
least a couple of months.
David
Thanks David! Someone at COMART point me to that forum too. See you there.
Ana
Thanks so much for your reply — now I have a question for both of
you. I'm nearly convinced I need Fractal, but because I have a
limited budget (unlike some of you guys, who seem to OWN the store),
I can't afford to both buy Fractal AND buy the Gallery Effects (which
I was considering for PhotoStyler). Now, I probably know the answer
from your glowing recommendation, but do you think that I, a total
non-artist who is able to create things only through the wonders of
scanning/manipulating, and the good graces of such giants as Greg
Yost and 3DS, would be able to achieve at least most of the same
kinds of things that Gallery Effects would do (like transforming
scanned or 3D pictures into a "drawing" or "picture" look)?
My level of talent consists of selecting elements from pictures (using
"magic wands" type tools) and pasting them into backgrounds, and
then applying filters of various types. I can't do ANYTHING artistically.
Then you have to go for Gallery Effects! 🙂 Painter have auto-clone features
that will transform your picture in a "painting" like image, but don't have
many options in the styles. I have gallery effects and I main use it to process
automatically 3d images generated by 3ds, althought if I want to give them a
personal touch, I will go with then to Painter. It's a great add-on to
PhotoStyler and you could great dramatic effects with them. Also. check the
Volume 2 (not version 2) of Gallery Effets. It have a new entire filters
collection that will allow you to use them with PhotoShop too. And probably you
will get Gallery effects 1 and 2 for the same price as Painter. Also check the
ACTION IPAS routines packs from the Pyros Partnership to get direct and
automatic image filters inside 3ds (saving time and hd space). However, if you
plan to play with stills, best choice is Gallery Effects+PStyler (also you can
get automatic manipulation of TGAs, but outside 3ds = save animation frame by
frame to disk and truecolor (where is my 1gig disk? 🙂 -> process all of them
-> (what to do the entire week waiting for your computer? 🙂 -> send all of
them again to tape) Gallery Effects will give you a lot more effects for the
same price of only one Action IPAS (i.e.Paint) package.
Now you have to decide 🙂 Ana
Mike:
>> and the good graces of such giants as Greg Yost and 3DS.
Do you think Gary took this as a complement or an insult? <g,d,& r>
Greg Pyros
Mike,
I'm in agreement with Ana: Gallery Effects is for you (and me). I have volume 1
and 2 and I think they are about $99 each. You get about 16 effects per package
and they are pretty darned good, too.
Keep in mind that Painter can use Photostyler and Photoshop plug-ins, such as
gallery effects (and probably does them faster too!).
And to let Photostyler users know, Aldus just announced version 2.0
today.
David
David:
>> Keep in mind that Painter can use Photostyler and Photoshop plug-ins,
It's just too bad you can't easily batch the processes for an animation!
Greg Pyros