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Description
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FREEWARE:GIMP - Stands for the GNU Image Manipulation Program. This is the most well-known free alternative to Photoshop. Thanks to recent updates it's now all contained in one window. There's lots of support for it online, and people have developed plugins for it, some of which are similar to the plugins available for Photoshop. GIMP however has its own brush format, but there are ways to convert Photoshop brushes into GIMP brushes (tutorials can be found on DA and through a Google search.

Inkscape - A vector editing program very much like Adobe Illustrator. I haven't used it, but in a nutshell it's supposed to be a freeware alternative to Illustrator.

Synfig Studio - While I haven't installed this program, I've seen some amazing animation made with it surface on Youtube. It's a freeware alternative to Flash.

Sculptris - Made by the creators of Zbrush, Sculptris is a freeware 3D modelling program that allows the user to make 3D models as if they were sculpting with virtual clay. It's a scaled-down version of Zbrush.

Blender - A strange program interface that takes quite some getting used to. For making 3D models and animation. It's an alternative to expensive 3D animation packages.

Sketchup - Once Google's simple modelling tool, it now belongs to Trimble. Now models made in Sketchup can be integrated with other programs thanks to added .obj export to the free version. This is probably the simplest 3D modeller you'll come across.

CeltX - This is a well-known script writing tool. CeltX is designed for writing screenplays and other kinds of scripts. It can handle novel and comic book scripts too, but the script formatting isn't exactly correct in those fields. You now have to make an account with them to store your works in the cloud online (if you choose to). There's also a CeltX Plus package, which has more features and costs about $15.

CHEAPER SOFTWARE:
Manga Studio - This software isn't free, but it's a buttload cheaper than shelling out for Photoshop (and contains some lifesaving tools that I really can't do without) (you don't even have to become a student to afford it). It comes in two flavors. The budget Debut version (for just $80) and the professional EX version (for $300). I'm impressed with how many essential features have been added to the Debut version of Manga Studio 5, I'd almost recommend you save your money and get that version (depending on whether you're going to be making long comics being the deciding factor). While Manga Studio is designed for drawing comics, it can also be used to make digital paintings and standalone artworks. I like drawing funny pictures with captions and word balloons, so of course this software is more suited to my hobbies. Unfortunately there is a bit of a learning curve with the new interface.

Scrivener - Great software for organizing your thoughts and notes. This package is designed for people wanting to write a novel, story or any kind of long document. It's changed my life and made the thought of writing a book actually possible for me. It's about $40 and an extra $5 if you want the software shipped to you on CD (in addition to the download).

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

FREEWARE:GIMP - Stands for the GNU Image Manipulation Program. This is the most well-known free alternative to Photoshop. Thanks to recent updates it's now all contained in one window. There's lots of support for it online, and people have developed plugins for it, some of which are similar to the plugins available for Photoshop. GIMP however has its own brush format, but there are ways to convert Photoshop brushes into GIMP brushes (tutorials can be found on DA and through a Google search.

Inkscape - A vector editing program very much like Adobe Illustrator. I haven't used it, but in a nutshell it's supposed to be a freeware alternative to Illustrator.

Synfig Studio - While I haven't installed this program, I've seen some amazing animation made with it surface on Youtube. It's a freeware alternative to Flash.

Sculptris - Made by the creators of Zbrush, Sculptris is a freeware 3D modelling program that allows the user to make 3D models as if they were sculpting with virtual clay. It's a scaled-down version of Zbrush.

Blender - A strange program interface that takes quite some getting used to. For making 3D models and animation. It's an alternative to expensive 3D animation packages.

Sketchup - Once Google's simple modelling tool, it now belongs to Trimble. Now models made in Sketchup can be integrated with other programs thanks to added .obj export to the free version. This is probably the simplest 3D modeller you'll come across.

CeltX - This is a well-known script writing tool. CeltX is designed for writing screenplays and other kinds of scripts. It can handle novel and comic book scripts too, but the script formatting isn't exactly correct in those fields. You now have to make an account with them to store your works in the cloud online (if you choose to). There's also a CeltX Plus package, which has more features and costs about $15.

CHEAPER SOFTWARE:
Manga Studio - This software isn't free, but it's a buttload cheaper than shelling out for Photoshop (and contains some lifesaving tools that I really can't do without) (you don't even have to become a student to afford it). It comes in two flavors. The budget Debut version (for just $80) and the professional EX version (for $300). I'm impressed with how many essential features have been added to the Debut version of Manga Studio 5, I'd almost recommend you save your money and get that version (depending on whether you're going to be making long comics being the deciding factor). While Manga Studio is designed for drawing comics, it can also be used to make digital paintings and standalone artworks. I like drawing funny pictures with captions and word balloons, so of course this software is more suited to my hobbies. Unfortunately there is a bit of a learning curve with the new interface.

Scrivener - Great software for organizing your thoughts and notes. This package is designed for people wanting to write a novel, story or any kind of long document. It's changed my life and made the thought of writing a book actually possible for me. It's about $40 and an extra $5 if you want the software shipped to you on CD (in addition to the download).