Bob I agree with you. Painter is a good software but it might be coming to its end although I hope they make their software better in the next version. I also feel photoshop is becoming much better. Maybe some day if I can afford it I’ll buy it. Ultimately the thing about these software is how people use them. To some people painter might fulfill their needs. On the other hand some people might be fully satisfied with photoshop and artrage. Although they might end up getting the same result but with unique tools that they consider crucial to their productivity.

I have recently bought Artrage Studio Pro 3 for $80 which is the most featured rich of all the Artrage versions. Because it is specifically a paint program it does have its advantages and I like the software very much. On the other hand Painter is an accepted industry standard in digital painting and Photoshop is a huge tool with a huge set of functions and I am amazed by its functionality and the way it can be used for stuff. But it has a huge price tag which only a professional or a very dedicated hobbyist can afford although I consider myself a hobbyist but with a limited budget. As for Artrage I have seen people like Nick Harris create great paintings in Artrage. and so I think that I have made a good decision and will be able to achieve my goals with this software. I also believe that in the years to come Artrage hopefully will be a solid alternative to the Photoshop and Painter.

I think in the end, user ideas are the ones that make a huge difference in software development. Some good points here although there were some difficult exchanges but in the end something good will come out of this discussion which I think that Ambient will hopefully pay heed to. As an artrage user I will like the software to become better in every way possible. Thanks for the article bob. I am always glad to see critique on software because it helps make it better.

I have stayed put on Corel X, since I saw no compelling reason to upgrade. If they had talked about improving the layers so that a save doesn’t take 5 minutes if you have several layers, or if they’d come out with a 64 bit version, then maybe. I don’t see 11 as a full upgrade, just some minor fixes, which should have been given away as 10.5.

Bad customer service? Couldn’t agree more. Corel is arrogantly oblivious to their customers’ needs and concerns. It’s all about the money. Let’s hope that one of two things happens:
1- Someone (Adobe, perhaps) buys Painter and gives it the overhaul it needs, or
2- Photoshop CS6 fulfills the promise we can see in the new Mixer Brush in CS5. Once Adobe completes their brush improvements for Photoshop, Painter will drop by the wayside. I have a feeling that Corel knows their days are limited, and so are not motivated to put the time and money into Painter that it needs. Hence, the half-assed, incredibly buggy release known as Painter 11. Just Corel’s attempt to squeeze a few more bucks out of the users before they all migrate to Art Rage and/or Photoshop.

I can see that individual practically foaming at the mouth.

Well said, Manas.

Cheers

The commenter flynn makes some valid points. However, they seem to be more of a difference in perspective than any technical fallacy in the review. It was amusing to see the other ArtRage “advocate” though. He first makes crass ad-hominems without any technical aegis of his own. Then, on his vested interest being exposed, rants like the insidious school bully trying to wheedle out of being taken to the principal on being caught red-handed while playing a prank. No pun intended to ArtRage for which I have high hopes, but that was a very good example of “net rage”.

Well sorry but I fail to see why you stalk me and slander me. Mr. no name. humm thats you LATE NIGHT. I guess you work for BOB, hu? secret agenda….???? Yes now we know the truth.

Shame on you BOB for allowing this criminal activity on your blog. You are promoting it so it must be meeting your approval/request and makes you legally liable too.
If you do not want professional opinions, then continue your mission of ignorance and slander the pros. hehe

BOB and LATE NIGHT ( whatever your real name is) if you wish to continue this childish game….lets take it to court.??? Are either of you man enough to be responsible for your rude and slanderous words and actions? Thought not.
If you want to test me….just let me know by saying something else.
You know where to find me and I, you both. legally..so whats it going to be boys?

Once again, a well known Art Rage advocate fails to identify his bias. Robert Howles (aka Bobby Ray Howles) is the founder, guiding force and website designer for ARTRAGEOUS, a fanboi magazine for (surprise, surprise) Artrage.

http://www.artrageus.net/

People such as these are NOT your average software user, but deliberately fail to identify themselves in order to push their favorite software. In other words, they have a hidden agenda.

As scheppel said above, ArtRage still feels like a toy. As such, these advocates can only dream of future possibilites and rail against any objective opinions that don’t think ArtRage is the best thing since sliced religion. Sorry peeps, it just aint so. Ignorance ain’t blis, it’s just ignorance.

Cheers Bob!

If you read Flynns post it says it correctly exactly what facts are wrong. That is what I was refering to. Sorry for the confusion.

If I’ve gotten something wrong, perhaps you could set the record straight. No where in your comment do you say what exactly you take issue with.

This is my personal blog, to answer your question. I publish this blog once a week to share my knowledge (and opinions) with whomever decides to stop by and read. I make no money from this blog, other than a few affiliate sales once in a blue moon.

You are free to do the same and tell your side of the story. It’s a free Internet (except in China).

-Bob