Watercolour editing software

[Sylvie Pacey]

Hello there to all you art lovers, this is the first time I have visited this forum, usually go to the music and community chat forums. Can anyone tell me of really reliable editing software that I can use with my watercolours? I design for decoupage and various birthday cards, but since Vista came into my life the tasks I undertake are time consuming and very unsatisfactory. I don't want to turn photos into watercolours, prefer to paint my own. Please, please help me if you can, before I give up completely.

[greatcyber]

Hi Sylvie,

And welcome back...been wondering what happened to you. Are you looking to scan your designs into the computer and edit and manipulate them that way? I wasn't sure from your post. If so, Photoshop (elements, for example) is very nice. I'd be happy to help you in your quest if you just expound on exactly what you need to do.

[Sylvie Pacey]

Hi Stephen, it's so nice to be back now all the upheaval is almost over.
What I do is paint a design in watercolour, scan to Gallery and then do lots of manipulating by way of resizing, extracting various elements for use in decoupage or straightforward printing on to greeting Cards. It used to be easy with Microsoft Windows 200XP but Vista seems to have made it all very different . I would love to find a really easy software programme to do all these things, preferably a free one!! My daughter has a website for card makers and I design some things for her. I'm still keeping up with my music and have written a few more pieces which I play in church. I was so glad to see that you were able to get to Florida at last. Hope you will be able to help. Thanks a lot. Sylvie

[greatcyber]

Hi again, Sylvie...

Was just wondering if I was on the same page as you or not, but would something like this work? It is supposed to work on XP or Vista. http://www.digicamsoft.com/softhttphotos.html

Its freeware.

If not, I'll look into it further. Another option, however, would be to get a copy of Aesus partition magic (free) and make a partition on your computer and put xp back on it and it would be like having 2 computers in one. You just select which operating system to use when you boot. I haven't gone the vista route since so many folks have so many problems with it. But before I got my second computer, I made a "d" partition for one program that didn't like to have other software apps on the computer. A lot of people use this type of partition to test different programs.

... just another way to (pardon) skin a cat. (sorry).

Let me know what you think.

[SilverLuna]

NUUUUU don't give up!!! D:!!!!!

And yeah, i have PS elements 7 and it works perfect for what i do-- it's powerful, yet it doesn't have all the confusing stuff like what pros use CS4 for example (and it doesn't eat up your piggy bank). It's great for someone who uses it as a hobby.

Also, Corel Painter is a real nice software: www.corel.com You can download the free trail just to see how it is. The style is painting, so maybe that'll do best for you Try it out! I thinkt eh newest version is 11......

And for B-Day cards? GIMP is another great source, and it's free!! www.gimp.com
So there's a few options ^^
~Silver

[Sylvie Pacey]

Thanks Guys, all the info sounds really interesting, I will try it out. Didn't know you could partition computer, Stephen I will have a go and let you know what happens.Sylvie

[Buchpteclare]

You might find this one interesting. Check out RealWorldPaint.com

ATB!

[greatcyber]

It's really nice that everyone is so helpful here. I can't tell you how many people I have referred to this site. Just this past weekend there were like, oh 500,000 people in town for a festival and I met a local in a cafe (ok, i was a bar) and he is a music teacher. Not only that, he is a pipe organist. We had quite a nice chat. I gave him my email cuz I thought he would be a nice friend to have. Little does he know that I have ulterior motives (no, David-get your mind out of the gutter) I would love to once again sit at the console of a real pipe organ in an old church with great accoustics.

[Sylvie Pacey]

Well guys, how lucky can I get, downloaded photo pad, (as suggested) found it to be quite useful, it does a lot of the editing I need. THEN noticed that NCH do a record pad sound recording download. Looks like just what I have been looking for to record music from my keyboard and then burn it to CD. I have downloaded it and printed off the tutorial Has anyone of you tried using this freeware?
I should be glad of your comments. Can't wait to get started on it. Must look out my Mike.This surely is a wonderful forum and everyone is so helpful. Hope you get to play a big church organ again Stephen so that you can enjoy the acoustics. If ever you get to the U.K and visit the I.O.W try The Great Father Willis at Whippingham church. It was commissioned by Prince Albert, wonderful sound and the organist sits high up in a gallery overlooking the Nave. Thanks a lot. Will try the other Photo editing site as well. Thanks. Sylvie

[Buchpteclare]

I don't have or use that particular program from NCH, but I do have a few others including the full version of WavePad. All I can say about NCH is they do have top notch programs.

ATB!

[Sylvie Pacey]

Hello again, thanks Butchpteclare for the info. Have downloaded RealWorldPaint.com It seems to be just what I have been looking for. I see you are from Montreal as well as Stephen. The city must be full of "Techno Wizards"
For Stephen , I have tried to download Aesuspartition magic, so far without success, but will keep trying.
Its nice to have some feedback on NCH, I will definitely give it a try.Thanks once again for all the help. Sylvie

[greatcyber]

Nice to hear, Sylvie. Once you do get it, there is a good (and quick) video tutorial on YouTube on how easy it is to use. Best of luck.

[Sylvie Pacey]

Hello everyone and a happy new year to all.
I have found a super graphics programme "PagePlusx4 from Serif. together with a graphics pad and am having a wonderful time designing lots of cards and stuff for my daughters website. www.paperprintables.com. Any of you interested in craftwork might like to take alook. There will be a new newsletter on there very soon. Nearly all the artwork is free to download, including decoupage designs, boxmaking etc. also she has a few tutorials on You Tube now. Have a look and if you have any friends who might be interested please pass on the website address. You have all been a great help to me, so thanks guys. Sylvie

[marval]

Hello Sylvie

Happy new year to you and your family.

I will have a look at the website, it sounds interesting.


Margaret