Like-wise, the pen tool in photoshop is the same way. Gradient tools like photoshop's can cause you to do a lot of undoing and redoing till you get the gradient the way you want it. The gradient tool in those programs has a skinny line that represents where the gradient will be, and then when you let go of your mouse button the gradient is drawn (do an internet search for photoshop gradient tool videos). If you have ever seen the gradient tool in photoshop, gimp, serif's photoplus, etc, their gradient tools don't draw live gradients. In, most of the tools let you see what you are doing while you are doing it, for examples the gradient tool and the line/curve tool. Using shortcut keys in is very helpful, but most of the time I can play in with only one hand and a mouse.ģ.

Also, because many of the features are buried, relying on shortcut keys almost becomes a necessity in photoshop in order to have a smooth work flow.

Which means, in the other pograms you have to do more navigating to find and use what you want to use. Many of the features in the more advanced programs are buried, for example the color “Adjustments” in photoshop is in a sub category rather than being directly in the Menu Bar like 's “Adjustments” is. For many people, the learning curve for the advanced programs is, well, advanced and steep compared to. I often feel overwhelmed or clueless in programs like Photoshop, Gimp, Serif's Photoplus, etc. has an easy User Interface and the program is pretty easy to learn. Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Paintshop pro, or the one I own Serif's PhotoPlus, none of those advanced photo editing programs are free, in fact, Photoshop and Paintshop pro are very expensive. I personally enjoy more than most other photo editing software because. It's a matter of personal preference on which program people think is better or prefer to use.

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