30.01.2008, 22:44
Hey, Batz, those are GREAT, especially for someone just reading through tutorials on an unfamiliar editing program! 
hock:
Ufortunately, I know nothing at all about paint.net so can't be of much help. I can offer some suggestions for what you want to do based on general principles, however. Questions: does paint.net allow you to work in layers and does it have "selection tools" or "mask tools" which allow you to work on one selected area at a time? If I know that I may be able to offer some general ideas.
From what I see thus far it's clear that you are motivated, a fast learner, have definite ideas about what you want to say in your images and have a native talent. If you decide to stick with it, you're gonna be real good! :!:
Also, from what I see, you definitely need to get to Photoshop eventually. That is the program which is going to allow you to make what you see in your mind's eye. A new version of PS is expensive, too expensive for my wallet right now, but there are ways around that.
Unless you've got about $700 US to spend, you should consider looking for a used, older version of PS. Where? Amazon, Ebay, flight sim sites where there is a "Wanted" or "For Sale" section, other general graphics sites. Sometimes there are stores which specialize in used books and software and you might find a copy there. You could try posting in one of the forums here and see if anyone has an older version for sale at a reasonable price.
A few cautions: Don't get a version older than PS5 because the earlier versions don't have an "Undo", something which is extremely useful. The preferred older version of PS seems to be PS7. I haven't found any of the "lite" versions of PS to be very useful for the kind of stuff we do.
Another program, which is very similar to PS and a lot less expensive, is Paintshop Pro. It's versatile, a good value for the money and a new version won't cost you an arm and a leg. I've seen it new for about $100 US. Most of the freeware plugins on the net will work with either PS or PSP so you shouldn't have any problems getting a bunch of nifty editing tools and effects for free.
I sense that you would get your money's worth out of a capable, user friendly editing program because you've got the fire in the belly and I think you would get countless hours of enjoyment from making images. I'm using PS5, which shows you how long a basically good program can last, even if it isn't the latest and greatest.
Kudos to Avala for that sig! Does he make screenies and edits too?
Keep on keeping on, M8! You've definitely got something going there! 8)
Cheers,
Fats
hock: Ufortunately, I know nothing at all about paint.net so can't be of much help. I can offer some suggestions for what you want to do based on general principles, however. Questions: does paint.net allow you to work in layers and does it have "selection tools" or "mask tools" which allow you to work on one selected area at a time? If I know that I may be able to offer some general ideas.
From what I see thus far it's clear that you are motivated, a fast learner, have definite ideas about what you want to say in your images and have a native talent. If you decide to stick with it, you're gonna be real good! :!:
Also, from what I see, you definitely need to get to Photoshop eventually. That is the program which is going to allow you to make what you see in your mind's eye. A new version of PS is expensive, too expensive for my wallet right now, but there are ways around that.
Unless you've got about $700 US to spend, you should consider looking for a used, older version of PS. Where? Amazon, Ebay, flight sim sites where there is a "Wanted" or "For Sale" section, other general graphics sites. Sometimes there are stores which specialize in used books and software and you might find a copy there. You could try posting in one of the forums here and see if anyone has an older version for sale at a reasonable price.
A few cautions: Don't get a version older than PS5 because the earlier versions don't have an "Undo", something which is extremely useful. The preferred older version of PS seems to be PS7. I haven't found any of the "lite" versions of PS to be very useful for the kind of stuff we do.
Another program, which is very similar to PS and a lot less expensive, is Paintshop Pro. It's versatile, a good value for the money and a new version won't cost you an arm and a leg. I've seen it new for about $100 US. Most of the freeware plugins on the net will work with either PS or PSP so you shouldn't have any problems getting a bunch of nifty editing tools and effects for free.
I sense that you would get your money's worth out of a capable, user friendly editing program because you've got the fire in the belly and I think you would get countless hours of enjoyment from making images. I'm using PS5, which shows you how long a basically good program can last, even if it isn't the latest and greatest.
Kudos to Avala for that sig! Does he make screenies and edits too?
Keep on keeping on, M8! You've definitely got something going there! 8)
Cheers,
Fats