Program downloads, tutorials and links

[Anselm]

If you're looking for any sorts of graphics-related resources, this is where to look. We've listed some programs you can use as well as some useful resources such as tutorials and other relevant links. This thread does rely on members' knowledge too to some extent - if you know of something that should be included, send a PM to myself or VanillaOrchids. If not, enjoy the resources.

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Free Graphics / try before you buy programs

Free Graphic Programs

• The Gimp
  A free downgraded version of Paint Shop Pro. Very high standards considering it is free, ideal for beginners.
  
  
• Paint.Net
  "A great free program, a step up from paint"
  
  
• QFX
  "QFX combines the features of both a paint and a draw program in a single integrated graphics environment."
  
  
• PhotoPlus
  "PhotoPlus is the amazing photo editing software that enables you to fix and enhance digital photos, create stunning bitmap graphics and even web animations."
  
  
• Terragen
  For digitally generating scenery and landscapes. Can be very realistic.
  
  
• Anim8or
  3D modeling and character animation program.
  
  
• MilkShape 3D
  3D animator.
  
  
• DAZ Studio
  3D animation.
  
  
• Apophysis
  Fractal editor.
  

Try before you buy

• Photoshop
  
  The design industry standard, probably the best around. Does everything anyone can ask for, but it's literally a "try before you buy", because the real program can cost anywhere between £50 - £900 depending on seller. If you are considering buying this and are a student, student discounts of up to 80% are available.
  
  
• Paintshop Pro - Free Trial
  
  Less compact than Photoshop, more user friendly and better for beginners, although some opinions vary. Paint Shop Pro can be as powerful as Photoshop, and is a lot cheaper (always less than £100)
  

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Other Downloads/Online Tools

• Colour Picker
  
• .ICO Convertor
  
• Colour Palette (good for choosing skin colours)
  
• Stripe Generator
  
• Get Color
  

Gradient Generators

• DynamicDrive Gradient Generator
  
• 
  
• The Amazing Gradient Generator
  
• Gradient Texture
  

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Tutorials[/u]

• General / Multiple Programs
  
  • Good-Tutorials (PS, Illustrator, Flash, 3DS)
    
  • Pixel2Life (all major programs)
    
  • Tutorial Outpost (PS, Illustrator, Flash)
    
  • All Graphics Design (all major programs)
    
  
  
• Photoshop Tutorials
  
  • Tutorialized
    
  • Effects Tutorials
    
  • CS2 Tutorials & More
    
  • AbsoluteCross
    
  • Grafx Design
    
  • 99 Best
    
  
  
• Paint Shop Pro Tutorials
  
  • 
    
  
  
• Gimp Tutorials
  
  • Pixel2life - Gimp
    
  • The Gimp Tutorials
    

PBS Member Tutorials

This list contains tutorials written by members of PBS and posted as threads in this board.

• Adobe Photoshop
  
  
  • Effects
    
    • Blue Fire by xcessive
      
    • Metal Tut by Jye
      
    • Text Fade Animation by VanillaOrchids
    
    
    
  • Signatures
    
    • Ibuki (Cookie Colour) by Aesthetics
      
    • Dont Worry by Ookie1 [reply #7]
      
    • Kyo Tut by Aesthetics
      
    • Sub-Zero Smudge (video) by dKazn
      
    • Magna Carta sig (video) by B.B. Valentine [reply #7]
      
    • Novice Sig Tut (inc. PSD) by Aesthetics
      
    • 
      
    • Cool guy tutorial by jongos
      
    • Multi Link/Slicing Signature by VanillaOrchids
    
    
    
  • Forum Images
    
    • Folders/PM icons by VanillaOrchids [not in first post]
      
    • Centered background image by VanillaOrchids
    
    
    
  • Misc.
    
    • Free Falling (avatar tut) by Aesthetics
      
    • Candy Tree LP by Stinky666
      
    • Worm tut by VanillaOrchids
      
    • Image Map by VanillaOrchids
  
  
  
• Paint Shop Pro
  
  
  • Break Away Sig by Stinky666
    
  • Improving Image Quality Guide by Stinky666
    
  • Oddness Prevails by Stinky666
  
  
  
• Gimp
  
  
  • Wavey Effect by Austen
  
  
  
• Other
  
  
  • C4D
    
    • C4D Effect Simple by Stinky666
      
    • Cool C4D Tut by Stinky666
    
    
    
  • Illustrator
    
    • Illustrator Shapes Tut by Stinky666

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Other graphics-related links

• Stocks
  Stocks are photographs taken by photographers, which are then uploaded to the Internet for you to use freely, many artists only ask for their credit to be placed somewhere.
  
  • www.sxc.hu
    
  • www.deviantart.com
    
  • www.fotosearch.com/
  
  
• deviantArt
  Website for designers to have their own personal space. Free registration, highly recommended for designers.
  
  • www.deviantart.com
    
  • Post your link here.
  
  
• Fonts
  
  • Not sure what that font is? Try this link first.
    
  • www.dafont.com
    
  • www.1001fonts.com
    
  • www.fontfreak.com
    
  • www.myfonts.com
    
  • www.urbanfonts.com
    
  • www.abstractfonts.com/
  
  
• Image hosts
  For designers deviantArt is the highly recommended. Others:
  
  • imageshack.us
    
  • photobucket.com
    
  • 
    
  • imageuploading.com
    
  • uploadit.org
    
  • 
    
  
  
• Colours/image colours
  As well as your colour pallette in your graphics program, you can also use the following:
  
  • www.degraeve.com/color-palette/
    finds colours from an image you give, e.g. a banner
    
  • www.december.com/html/spec/color.html
    to find HEX codes
  
  
• Lorem Ipsum
  The funny text on many images, mainly web layouts, isn't Greek, it's dummy text - Lorem Ipsum. It has been the printing standard since the 1500s for testing, and is often used by web designers for filling in content areas.
  
  • More information