Is it just me or is Photoshop the worst program on the face of the earth?

[I Flirt 4 Code]

I hate graphics and they are making me take this course so I'll be a "well rounded" programmer. Trust me any job that wants me to use this POS isn't for me!
Kinda had to get that off my chest.

[pyro]

I'm not sure I've ever heard the words "Photoshop" and "worst" in the same sentence before. Must just be your distaste for graphics, if you don't like it, though if you plan on doing anything other than hard core programming, you'd best learn to like it... ;)

[I Flirt 4 Code]

I don't just dislike it I HATE it!

[Daria]

so, don't use it

[Dark Dragon]

Hmmm..hate Photoshop, eh?

Sounds more like you just don't know how to use it.
Besides, Photoshop is one of the most widely used programs out there when it comes to design..it isn't just for photos either....

[zaefod]

I think you'd be shot for that post in some circles. Photoshop has been my best friend for several years now. I'd say grin and bear it for the class, then you can switch back to using MS paint. I guess graphics aren't for everyone (wupieeeee!!!)

[Dark Dragon]

I'd say grin and bear it for the class, then you can switch back to using MS paint

MS Paint..HAHAHAHAHAHAHA..that's funny...(heh-heh-heh...)

[Daria]

Ugum... if you don't like something, then don't do it. If you gotta do it, then suck it up and learn to like it.

"learn to like it" is the key. Once you actually learn something, you end up liking it :)

[Dark Dragon]

Once you actually learn something, you end up liking it

Meh! I beg to differ on that..I learne Adobe Illustrator and I really am not very fond of it.

It is useful, mind you, especially when I do a layout for a business card or import paths from other programs but I still don't like it much.;)

[I Flirt 4 Code]

I hate graphics, I never play wih them, not even in paint goofing around. I would rather have a root canal then learn this stuff! However, I can't graduate if I don't :-(
In this track we have to learn Illustrator and Photoshop. I literally can't even draw a stick figure with it, I know I just tried.
But I am supposed to do a tutoral a day and hand in a finally project (like a logo or banner) to pass. I say this is why I have friends that do graphics!
Can anyone suggest something REALLY easy that I can do?

[Dark Dragon]

Well..I did have something, but it involves Photoshop and you made it clear you don't want to use it so I doubt you will listen to me so...forget it then.

[Dark Dragon]

Well..like I said in my reply to your PM Message..I understand what you are saying...to be honest, I never had a computer prior to 1995...that is the truth. Except for business college, the last time I used a computer was in another college where they had only two comps using Windows 95..even though the platform was out in use for at least three years.

So I went to Business College for Computer Graphics..I had both intro and advanced web design..the intro class barely touched on HTML, never touched CSS, JavaScript or anything. The Advanced class..well, it may as well have not been there at all..nothing and I mean NOTHING!! was taught.

Just about every student around me had experience with graphics and web design and here I was..the class idiot who never had a website or used a graphics program so I was the odd one out.

I think the only reason I actually passed was because the school was cut rate and I had lenient instructors.

So it has been two years and I learned more about Photoshop by working on my own at my own pace using tutorials I searched for.

I am not an expert nor do I want to be...I am not really good in the artistic arena as you will see if the link to my site works but I found my own way and so now I use Flash and Photoshop to make simple graphics.There is no law that says it has to be complex and ultra flashy.

[kanakaprasad]

well dear friend!

i believe first u should decide what u want to do and be. then every thing looks interesting. what other folks said is right. learn to like it or dont do it.

person need to be creative to come into web related stuff. think ur not that kind. better gofor the job u like it. good luck

[Dark Dragon]

However just because you learn something doesn't mean you are going to like it either. It cannot be forced.

I learned Adobe Illustrator..it is useful but I don't care much for how it handles..seems to user unfriendly.

However one feature I find is fun id the Gradient Mesh tool...you can do all sorts of stuff with it...but I know some basics and I can get around a bit though..that is what matters.

[havik]

I first found photoshop to be overwhelmed (there's almost nothing you can't do with it). But now I'm more comfortable with it. It's the program I use to create graphics for my website and for those who ask. I use it personally to touch up photos and to do photochops when I get bored :D

But I'd agree that graphics aren't for everyone, even webmasters. It's an added benefit but isn't ciritical since there's always someone else who could do the graphics for you.

[I Flirt 4 Code]

I am a creative person. In the "real" world I make stuff all the time. Can draw a little bit and I do tons crafts. I decorate with the best of them (my house looks great!) and know what colors go with what. I just can't do it with a mouse!

I am so gonna fail this class if I can't figure out some way to learn this stuff and quick.Quite frankly my teacher sucks!

I know most of you are self taught but not everyone can do that ya know, I have tried. Besides what am I paying these people 17 grand for? And you self taught people, I bet it took you a long time. Well, this is a 3 week class, I don't have that luxury.

Any advice?

P.S, my biggest problem seems to be with the layers, they lock up and I can't unlock them.

[jack22]

Dark Dragon: "Sounds more like you just don't know how to use it. Besides, Photoshop is one of the most widely used programs out there"
---------------------------

Much of the world speaks Chinese... "widely used" doesn't mean it's a simple, or even good.

I'm going to agree with I Flirt 4 Code here, although many who already have their feet wet with Photoshop will look down their noses at me. Photoshop (Adobe) did much of the early digital programming work, and they deserve credit for that. But like Microsoft, they're "stuck" with much of their early philosopy/code that's become a bit of an albatross IMO. Same mindset in our federal tax law.

If you're going to doing any graphic work for corporations and the like, you'll need to know at least the basics of Photoshop. I agree it's not that user intuitive to learn (it sucks). It's commonly described as "for people with waaaay too much time on their hands". Probably the best/quickest way to learn it is to find someone who knows it cold, and let them personally show you the basics themself. You could trade them a couple pizzas & beer for a couple hours of time. Most of the books I've read make your head hurt.

I much prefer PhotoImpact (Paint Shop Pro is similar). These programs were developed after Photoshop so they have the advantage of being a lot more user intuitive and easier to navigate. I could work with PI the first time I installed it, without reading a thing, something that's near impossible with Photoshop. I remember doing some (simple mind-you) Photoshop tutorials that were so involved, time-consuming, and hard to follow, that I had no clue WHY I was doing certain steps... (making them useless). It can really be tough unless it's taught coherently. No such problems with PI (for the most part). Why use a more complicated tool if you don't need to... why drive a Ferrari when a Honda will get you to work just as fast, cheaper, and without needing a tune-up every week?.

If you're going to be working with professional graphics interfaces like magazine & paper/printing machines, then it's hard to avoid Photoshop. Adobe has pretty much monopolized the professional digital graphics world, through legal & illegal means over the years (just like Microsoft did). But if you're going to be doing digital camera edits, web-based graphics work, or just artistic work, you'll have a much more fun time with PI. Those that say otherwise haven't used both of them. I've seen graphic "competitions" where anything that's created in Photoshop can be made with PI. Even most hardcore Photoshop oldtimers will admit it's a much more intuitive program. I'll admit PI or PSP are not quite as deep or complex as Photoshop, but if you're never going to be using it much, it could end up being as "usefull" as the 3 years of French I took in high school (& never used). Life is too short.

[krautinator]

the problem with photoshop is that it's got somethin' like over 10000 tools and is majorly lacking in the user - friendliness department so if you start out on paint shop and then move to Photoshop yer gonna explode in frustration
Photoshop is an extremely powerful illustration program that's why it's so friggin' expensive and that's why it's so incredibly complex and involved.

[GrimShadow]

I have always been a fan of ps7. I have used a lot of other programs (i.e Fireworks MX, Ulead PhotoImpact 8, Paint Shop Pro, etc.), but i never really like them compared to ps7, they are all very easy to use i admit, but to me ps7 just has more potential. Never took any classes, just spent about a month or two messin with all of the settings.

[the_saint]

Photoshop is one of the greatest pieces of software ever designed. The layer support, file browsing, filters, plug-ins, export options and a host of other features are second to none.

[ennui]

Blasphemer !!!!Heretic !!! Repent Repent Repent from your evil ways and worship the one true graphic solution all must bow to PhotoShop !!!!!!

[tigrrboxer]

Amen :D
Photoshop knows only one limit: your imagination.
Oh, and RAM :p
Oh, and your ability to click on "Help"...
I learned Photoshop simply by buying a laptop, switching my phone off, and stocking up on Diet Coke. I removed my hand from the mouse about 72 hours later, a little stiff but giddily, passionately in love.
Photoshop got me into photography, then web design, and finally persuaded me to dabble in programming.
Even the NAME sounds bewitching... Phhhoootoshhhhooop....
Gotta run. Got a date with a few JPEGs...

[magus]

Photoshop is the best image editing software I ever used since version 3.0. It's a great software if you know how to use it. Web without graphics is not my style. I combine the programming ability with the designing ability to create wonderful web application for my projects...and my costumers loved it a lot!...

[James L.]

Why is it that when someone doesn't know how to use a tool... then it must mean the tool is broken, sucks, etc?

You will NOT find a professional in the web design, graphic design industry who does not respect Photoshop. It is THE industry standard to which all other graphic programs are compared, and to which most fail miserably against. It is a large, intricate program, and you see it's use in print, t.v., the web, etc.

Now, by your own words, you don't know online graphic design and can't even draw a stick figure.

This is not the fault of the software.

I feel your pain. When I was doing my school I didn't enjoy the courses that I wasn't interested in. That doesn't mean I blamed anyone or anything, it just meaned that I struggled a bit more to force myself to learn the information.

I think you would get more help by just plain old asking for some links to good tutorials than to slam a peice of software that is probably on the hard drives of 99% of all professional web designers.

Now, onto the help:

Adobe publishes a series of books called "Classroom in a book". They come with a cd that has all the files for each lesson on it. You open the file, and work through the steps in each lesson on the same files they use in the lessons. I learned a lot from this book.

Next, you can tool on down to your local book store that has a good selection of magazines and find the Photoshop Users magazine. In it there are ads for tutorial tapes and dvds that have great lessons on them. I actually ended getting a membership to the National Association:

www.photoshopuser.com

and they have awesome tutorials inside.

I know this is a lot, but to learn an amazing program like Photoshop takes time. Nothing great comes easy.

Hope that helps.

[Lotus]

The easiest thing would be to just put your questions in a Photoshop community - the web swarms of them. I didn't understand a flying crap of it when I first entered it. I tried out different tools, experimented, and now Photoshop is just like Paint for Windows. No. Photoshop is muuuch better. It's the best, the king, God, and the master of art. I can't live without it.

CC