Spark Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) I've seen it described as a "free alternative" to Photoshop. Even "for being free", I think this program could do better. For one thing, there is no way to blend colors, there is no smudge tool... There is no blur tool. There's a lot of things photoshop has that Paint.NET doesn't have. There are some unnecessary windows for Paint.NET. Such as the color window. It is completely unnecessary, and it just takes up canvas/photo space, which makes the whole thing feel cluttered. Cluttered, yet simple. There aren't very many options for windows. There aren't even enough different windows for me to know if it's even possible to merge windows, as can be done in Photoshop. The regular brush, if you can call it a brush, is just a simple line. It is too sensitive, and lacks smoothness to make it less jagged without making fast strokes. As far as my limited knowledge goes, there is no way to create a brush and save it, as can be done in Photoshop. And with so many flaws, this program is still seen as a "really great" program. And it seems to have a ton of fan. This confuses me. I don't think it should be compared to photoshop. I tried to draw with this program a long time ago. And, really. The whole thing leaves a lot to be desired. So with all the flaws I've mentioned, you all seem to love it anyway. What's so good about it that I'm not seeing? P.S. Hope I posted this in the right place. EDIT: And I'd like to say, Photoshop isn't perfect either. So please don't reply "If you love Photoshop so much, use that instead". I just think Paint.NET could be really good if optimized. At least, what I'm seeing as optimized. Edited March 20, 2011 by Spark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mero Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) There is a smudge plugin that you can download: Most if not all photoshop techniques can be replicated through alternative methods if you take time to explore the program. I have been playing with Paint.net for years. I personally like the color window and never had a problem with space(I have a big monitor though..). I personally prefer the color window over photoshop's color sliders. The brush tool isn't as top notch but they have plans to revamp the brush system if you look at the roadmap: http://www.getpaint.net/roadmap.html They have a alternative brush plugin here: I use both paint.net and photoshop for different purposes but I prefer pdn over photoshop for most of my work. I personally just consider the interface a lot cleaner and consider a lot of the plugins essential. It is all personal preference. The program isn't for everyone. Edited March 20, 2011 by mero My Deviantart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I don't think it should be compared to photoshop. You do nothing in your post but compare it to Photoshop. Create A Professional-Looking Product Advertisment Mockup flickr | Deviant Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) You do nothing in your post but compare it to Photoshop. Rephrased. I don't think it should be considered equal to Photoshop. While Paint.NET can apparently match just about anything Photoshop can do by taking time, and going about things differently, and also with the assistance of plug-ins.... Photoshop can do all of this, faster, without plugins. What's the point in that? I'm not a Paint.NET hater, btw. I got this program a long while back, and I've had it by my side ever since. But these flaws have always frustrated me. And the existence of plugins, I never knew about. Edited March 20, 2011 by Spark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdnnoob Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Without plugins, pdn is pretty much what you said. Take a look in the plugin section on this forum. People have made hundreds of plugins for you to use, and several of them cover portions of your rant. ex: custom brush and smudge No, Paint.NET is not spyware...but, installing it is an IQ test. ~BoltBait Blend modes are like the filling in your sandwich. It's the filling that can change your experience of the sandwich. ~Ego Eram Reputo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 What a bother.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdnnoob Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 What a bother.. ...but definitely worth your time. Just scan through the stickied threads to start. If you need more, check the plugin index. No, Paint.NET is not spyware...but, installing it is an IQ test. ~BoltBait Blend modes are like the filling in your sandwich. It's the filling that can change your experience of the sandwich. ~Ego Eram Reputo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brewster Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Photoshop can do all of this, faster, without plugins. What's the point in that? If you like Photoshop, and you own a copy, then by all means use it ... Paint.NET is free. That's a pretty good point right there. Paint.NET is not intended to be a Photoshop replacement. If it were, it'd probably be named something else. The Paint.NET Blog: https://blog.getpaint.net/ Donations are always appreciated! https://www.getpaint.net/donate.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 If you like Photoshop, and you own a copy, then by all means use it ... Paint.NET is free. That's a pretty good point right there. Paint.NET is not intended to be a Photoshop replacement. If it were, it'd probably be named something else. I knew someone was going to say this. But if it's not supposed to be a Photoshop replacement, why is it described as one by so many people? I do own a copy of Photoshop. But I've had Paint.NET longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyrochild Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Paint.NET has one developer who does this in his spare time - the person who just told you to use Photoshop. Photoshop has a team of professional, paid developers. Obviously, Paint.NET will not have nearly as many features as Photoshop, especially since you are apparently unwilling to consider "active, talented and thriving plugin development community" as a feature of Paint.NET. And not to toot my own horn, but my Smudge plugin for Paint.NET is faster than Photoshop's tool and also more correct in its rendering, especially when transparency is involved. ambigram signature by Kemaru [i write plugins and stuff] If you like a post, upvote it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 (edited) Paint.NET has one developer who does this in his spare time - the person who just told you to use Photoshop. Photoshop has a team of professional, paid developers. Obviously, Paint.NET will not have nearly as many features as Photoshop, especially since you are apparently unwilling to consider "active, talented and thriving plugin development community" as a feature of Paint.NET. And not to toot my own horn, but my Smudge plugin for Paint.NET is faster than Photoshop's tool and also more correct in its rendering, especially when transparency is involved. Well, great then. If one guy does this in his spare time, why don't YOU add your "faster and more accurate" Smudge as a TOOL rather than a plugin? I know, I know. You don't work on the coding for it. You make plugins for it. But there's no reason why he can't have some assistance from some people willing to help make the program better. I'm not downloading tons of plugins for Paint.NET, because if Paint.NET needs all these plugins to be considered useful, then they should be part of the program itself. Edited March 20, 2011 by Spark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyrochild Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 If you want a program that lets anyone and everyone add whatever they want to it, go download the GIMP and stop bothering us with your whining. ambigram signature by Kemaru [i write plugins and stuff] If you like a post, upvote it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 If you want a program that lets anyone and everyone add whatever they want to it, go download the GIMP and stop bothering us with your whining. No need to be rude. I'M just trying to be helpful. If it bothers you, why don't you ignore me? You're the one who was talking about how your smudge tool is so much better than Photoshops. Well, if it is, then go ahead and get Rick's permission to put it into the program itself. When I say that, that doesn't mean I want a program that "lets anyone and everyone add whatever they want to it". That was just a random assumption on your part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Brewster Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Spark, if you're going to refuse to download any plugins, then so be it, but please stop whining to us about it. We don't work for you, and we sure don't answer to you. Don't think that you have a monopoly on good ideas. Your ideas and concerns have value, but I wouldn't describe them as original. If other people want to describe Paint.NET as a Photoshop replacement, then that's up to them and that's fine. For many people this is an accurate description when considering their needs. However, I've never described it as such, nor does the website make that claim. I'm closing this thread, since it's just turning into a troll pit. Thread Closed The Paint.NET Blog: https://blog.getpaint.net/ Donations are always appreciated! https://www.getpaint.net/donate.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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