wrote in message news:22179@coreldraw.com...
>I am relatively new to web graphics, can you advise please.....
>
> * I have Paint Shop Pro X, why should I buy Corel Draw X3 or X4 what does
> Corel Draw offer over PSP ?
>
> * What are the primary differences between Corel Draw X3 and X4 ?
Initially, I'd say look at the differences between PSP and PP. Each is a
good program, but each also has features the other doesn't have. You're also
going to need to take a hard look at your current workflow, what kind of
imagery you're working with/creating, AND what do you see yourself doing in
the future.
Now, I've not used PSP X, but I do have PSP 9 (I have PSP XI, too, I've just
not installed it yet). If you're a heavy user of PSP you will probably be a
bit confused at first because while they have a lot of the same features,
they may not call them the same thing. One of the things I use a lot in PP
is the Clip Mask. PS calls this same thing a Layer Mask. If I remember
correctly, PSP calls this same thing just a Mask, and a "Mask" is something
different in PP and PS. If you can get over the different names, you'd still
be comfortable.
PSP is geared more towards photographers (moreso "amateur" or "prosumer"
types, than "professional" photographers, but I do know of Pros using PSP,
too). PP is geared more towards people that have to deal more with the Print
world, so you can use RGB, LAB, and CMYK color spaces where PSP only does
RGB, minimal CMYK, and I don't know if it supports LAB at all.
Depending on the type of web stuff you're going to want to do, PP *might* be
a better choice. Here's why: PP is only sold as part of the Corel Draw
Graphics Suite, so you're going to get Draw, too. Draw is a full-fledged
vector-editing app. PSP and PP are raster (bitmap) editing apps. Let's say
you're going to do a "corporate site". That's going to more than likely
entail dealing with Logos from that company. Contrary to many web worker's
belief, a "logo" is not just a web banner with a lot of effects on it. A
"true" logo is a vector object that is designed to be usable in a variety of
sizes without losing quality or legibility and can be used in color or
monochrome. Corel Draw (or Freehand, Illustrator, etc) would be the
application to create such an item - PSP and PP would not.
Now, I know many PSP users/fans will say "Wait, PSP has vector abilities!"
Well, yes and no. It can do some vector layer stuff within a file, but since
it doesn't have FULL vector abilities, i.e., being able to save a vector
only file that can be used in other apps, it's not something you'd be able
to use well for true logo work. That said, those vector layers in PSP are
more flexible than PP's hidden vector abilities.
But when all is said and done, either app can be used well for web work. If
PSP suits your needs at the moment, there's no real need for you to change
programs. But you do need to look ahead as to your future needs - PP and
Draw can be very handy to have. And there's nothing that says you can't use
BOTH apps. I have both PSP and PP installed and yeah, occasionally I prefer
to use PSP. I also have Fireworks installed and sometimes use that as well
(and PS, Illy, Freehand, Draw). In the long run, you're more than likely to
wind up using more than one application... and there's nothing wrong with
that... now if they only read each other's files and kept the layering, ya
know?
If you've not used the NNTP newsgroup that Corel has, point your
*newsreader* (NOT your *web browser*) to cnews.corel.com. There are some
very active PSP newsgroups there with folks who have a LOT of good knowledge
and experience.