Which is easier for novice Adobe Photoshop CS5 or Corel PaintShop Pro X5

[cerberus]

I have wanted to take a photography class for many years, but have just never done it. Well I signed up today for my first class. They offer an editing workshop using either Adobe Photoshop CS5 or Corel PaintShop Pro X5. SInce I am not familiar with either, I was just wondering if anyone could comment on which would be best for a novice? Thanks!!

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I would say that for a novice, Corel Paintshop Pro is definitely the easiest. If you want to be able to open up the program and quickly figure out where everything is and what will do what quickly, that's the route to go.

However, since you're taking a class, you might instead take the opportunity to use Photoshop CS5.

It also depends on what you want to be able to accomplish with the programs. I believe they're very similar in what they are capable of accomplishing. If you want to retouch images to remove shine or blemishes, either would be fine. However, if you want to go more in-depth in editing with background changes, cloning, graphic design, or other situations in which you create things from scratch, then Photoshop might be the better route to go.

 

[cerberus]

Thanks, that is very helpful! I think I will start with the basics for now!

 

[photo_chick]

I have wanted to take a photography class for many years, but have just never done it. Well I signed up today for my first class. They offer an editing workshop using either Adobe Photoshop CS5 or Corel PaintShop Pro X5. SInce I am not familiar with either, I was just wondering if anyone could comment on which would be best for a novice? Thanks!!

If they offer an editing workshop that goes over basic tools in the software I would go with Photoshop myself. But really, once you understand what the basic tools in one do you can apply that to most any photo editing software. The user interface may be different between them but all editing software at the core really uses the same basic tools. It's the advanced features where things will diverge.

 

[wbeem]

Choose the Photoshop course. It's the industry-standard photo editing software. There's no sense in putting it off because you think something else is easier. If you're going to take the time to learn, then learn with the tool that gives you the most options to explore your creativity. That's Photoshop.

 

[cerberus]

Okay seeing that you all make the same point about Photoshop I have signed up for that editing course! All your responses were very helpful in why doing photoshop would be best in the long run. I am very excited to take my first class and develop my skills!!!!

Thanks again everyone

 

[wbeem]

Have fun. Just don't let yourself get frustrated if things don't happen right away. Photoshop is a bit of a journey - at least for me. It will all come to you, but there's a lot to learn because you can do so much with it.

 

[cerberus]

Have fun. Just don't let yourself get frustrated if things don't happen right away. Photoshop is a bit of a journey - at least for me. It will all come to you, but there's a lot to learn because you can do so much with it.

 

[zackiedawg]

I don't disagree with any of the advice on going with Photoshop as it is the industry standard and most popular advanced editor, so if you can get a class to learn it, it's a good choice. I also agree the Corel PSP version will be overall easier to learn for a beginner as it offers a simple design interface option for starters.

However, just as an FYI, the Corel PSP program is actually just as advanced for the heavy-duty editing as Photoshop. In its advanced interface editor, it has the same layer support, graphical editing capability, cloning, background changing, overlay, curves and levels, histogram adjustments, sets of palette tools and brush tools for every imaginable thing, masks, etc., and it even takes the very same plugins for third party tools as Photoshop, so you can attach advanced noise reduction tools, and outside programs such as Nik & Topaz, to be used right through the program.

Many people who have never used PSP think that it only operates as a more simplified editor, akin to Photoshop Elements, but most don't realize it has the same functionality as the full-feature version of Photoshop.

I've been using both PSP and Photoshop for 7+ years, so I'm very familiar with both. I actually prefer PSP overall as I find the layout and interface a little better in the advanced side - but there's almost nothing I can't do in either system that the other can - they're quite equally matched. For going out and trying to learn the systems, you'll find a lot more tutorials, classes, and support for Photoshop, so as a person looking to learn a system, it's a good way to go. Those same tutorials and lessons could be easily enough adapted to PSP, as all the same functionality is there, just in a different layout or location...but no need adding any more complexity to the learning curve than necessary!

 

[photo_chick]

When talking about usability another thing to consider with Photoshop is that CS6 has a pretty big UI overhaul. It looks a lot more light Lightroom than CS5. The tools are all still the same, it's just a superficial change. But it does look a bit different.

 

[cerberus]

Okay maybe I should have just checked out the price to help me decide....
Adobe Photoshop CS5 >$600
Corel PaintShop Pro X5 $38.95

 

[wbeem]

Something else to consider is 3rd party support. I know of plenty of plugins to enhance Photoshop. As I have no experience with Corel, I'm not sure what support it has from 3rd party vendors.

 

[budmonster]

I also agree with everyone above, I have tried the trial version of PS CS5 and purchased the past three versions of Corel Pro X5. IMO I like the Corel X5, it's pretty easy to use. The biggest factor for me was the price, there was no way I could justify spending that much money on PS CS5 considering that this is just a hobby for me. I love my Corel Paintshop X5.

 

[havoc315]

Okay maybe I should have just checked out the price to help me decide....
Adobe Photoshop CS5 >$600
Corel PaintShop Pro X5 $38.95

That's why I got started with PSP.

Everything I've read and heard, says that Photoshop is a bit better than PSP, but PSP does have all the same functionality for less money.
Though if you can get photoshop with the education discount, it brings the price down quite a bit. Still not as cheap as PSP.

 

[photo_chick]

Okay maybe I should have just checked out the price to help me decide....
Adobe Photoshop CS5 >$600
Corel PaintShop Pro X5 $38.95

Corel does not have all the same functionality as Photoshop CS5 or CS6. They have the same basic editing tools but when it comes to advanced tools Corel just doesn't have everything Photoshop CS does. Now as a beginner, this probably isn't going to matter to you. Honestly most photographers don't get into half of the advanced tools that Photoshop CS offers and would probably be just as happy with Corel or Photoshop Elements.

As far as the price... that's high for CS5. You can find it for well under $200. They sell it in a lot of different bundles so make sure you're looking at one that is JUST Photoshop. If you decide to go down that road.

 

[zackiedawg]

Corel does not have all the same functionality as Photoshop CS5 or CS6. They have the same basic editing tools but when it comes to advanced tools Corel just doesn't have everything Photoshop CS does. Now as a beginner, this probably isn't going to matter to you. Honestly most photographers don't get into half of the advanced tools that Photoshop CS offers and would probably be just as happy with Corel or Photoshop Elements.

Have you gone to the 3rd edit screen, and opened up all the advanced palettes and toolbars? Comparing Photoshop CS5 to PSP Photo X4, I find very little that PSP doesn't have, including the more advanced tools. Most folks just use PSP in the first edit screen, which is much more basic and 'automated' with lots of simplified shortcuts and auto adjustments. But the number of tools that can be opened up in the advanced Edit screen is pretty much the same as in Photoshop...far more than 99% of the users will ever need or even know are there! I wonder how many even know the advanced edit screen even exists. Even advanced Photoshop features like Content Aware fill and Smart Scaling are in PSP.

Also as to William Beem's question/observation re: third party support: the interesting thing about that is that PSP works with virtually any plug in that works for Photoshop...so the same plugin enhancements operate in both systems. I've added several brushes, noise reduction programs, software such as Nik's plugins (Color Effects, Silver, etc), and Topaz's plugins (Adjust, Clean, Simplify, Denoise), various scripts, etc that I use in both PSP and PS. Just copy the .8bf file into the Plugin folder of PSP, and they open up just like in PS.

I set up my PSP X4 interface using the advanced edit screen with all my major tools along the top and left toolbar, layers palette and other adjustment palettes down the side, just the way I have it set up in Photoshop.

 

[photo_chick]

Have you gone to the 3rd edit screen, and opened up all the advanced palettes and toolbars? Comparing Photoshop CS5 to PSP Photo X4, I find very little that PSP doesn't have, including the more advanced tools. Most folks just use PSP in the first edit screen, which is much more basic and 'automated' with lots of simplified shortcuts and auto adjustments. But the number of tools that can be opened up in the advanced Edit screen is pretty much the same as in Photoshop...far more than 99% of the users will ever need or even know are there! I wonder how many even know the advanced edit screen even exists. Even advanced Photoshop features like Content Aware fill and Smart Scaling are in PSP.

Also as to William Beem's question/observation re: third party support: the interesting thing about that is that PSP works with virtually any plug in that works for Photoshop...so the same plugin enhancements operate in both systems. I've added several brushes, noise reduction programs, software such as Nik's plugins (Color Effects, Silver, etc), and Topaz's plugins (Adjust, Clean, Simplify, Denoise), various scripts, etc that I use in both PSP and PS. Just copy the .8bf file into the Plugin folder of PSP, and they open up just like in PS.

I set up my PSP X4 interface using the advanced edit screen with all my major tools along the top and left toolbar, layers palette and other adjustment palettes down the side, just the way I have it set up in Photoshop.

From a photo editing standpoint they do have most of the same tools. It's when you get beyond photo editing that I've found differences. Like I said, it's tools that I don't think many photographers would use in standard editing, or even most advanced editing, so it's not going to make a difference in from that standpoint. When you get away from photography and into digital art there are a few tools in Photoshop CS5 and CS6 that are really nice to have though.

 

[havoc315]

Have you gone to the 3rd edit screen, and opened up all the advanced palettes and toolbars? Comparing Photoshop CS5 to PSP Photo X4, I find very little that PSP doesn't have, including the more advanced tools. Most folks just use PSP in the first edit screen, which is much more basic and 'automated' with lots of simplified shortcuts and auto adjustments. But the number of tools that can be opened up in the advanced Edit screen is pretty much the same as in Photoshop...far more than 99% of the users will ever need or even know are there! I wonder how many even know the advanced edit screen even exists. Even advanced Photoshop features like Content Aware fill and Smart Scaling are in PSP.

One of the reasons I started with PSP in the first place, was that it had features that certainly weren't in Elements, and some that were not even in the full Photoshop. For instance, it has had HDR for a while now.

But to my knowledge, the newest edition of PSP does not have full "content aware" fill. It does some simple object removal, scratch and blemish repair, cloning. The types of tools that are good when you want to remove an object from a constant background. But I haven't seen the equivalent of true "content aware" on PSP... am I missing it somewhere? (I certainly don't know how to use all the features on PSP so I easily could be missing it).

 

[photo_chick]

One of the reasons I started with PSP in the first place, was that it had features that certainly weren't in Elements, and some that were not even in the full Photoshop. For instance, it has had HDR for a while now.

But to my knowledge, the newest edition of PSP does not have full "content aware" fill. It does some simple object removal, scratch and blemish repair, cloning. The types of tools that are good when you want to remove an object from a constant background. But I haven't seen the equivalent of true "content aware" on PSP... am I missing it somewhere? (I certainly don't know how to use all the features on PSP so I easily could be missing it).

Not that it's really relevant to the OP's dilemma, but Photoshop CS has had HDR for a while now (I know at least back to CS2) although until the last couple of versions it hasn't given really great results. Personally I still prefer Photomatix for my HDR work.

 

[havoc315]

Not that it's really relevant to the OP's dilemma, but Photoshop CS has had HDR for a while now (I know at least back to CS2) although until the last couple of versions it hasn't given really great results. Personally I still prefer Photomatix for my HDR work.

Same. But occasionally, a nice feature on the newest PSP, is it can split and recombine a single RAW image into HDR. The results are a bit of a mixed bag. But at times, it can give you an interesting look.

I do think if I was starting from scratch now, and certainly putting aside price, I'd go with photoshop. Or honestly... neither. Lightroom really accomplishes most of my editing needs with no hassle. (And photomatix for my HDR).