What Graphics Software Are You Using With Vista?

from WinCustomize Forums
As I have said in previous articles that Photoshop CS2 has been great with XP, but not as much with Windows Vista. I also don't want to spend the $200 to upgrade to CS3 just to make Photoshop work right on Vista. So I started looking to see what other options I have when it comes to graphics software when I finally decide (which may be soon) to go back to Vista full-time.

The first application I am evaluating is Corel Paint Shop Pro XI.

I know this is popular among many skinners going back several versions, and I also use version 9 along side of CS2, and have made many projects with it. I didn't upgrade beyond that because I didn't care for the more photo oriented direction they were taking. I have downloaded the trial and it has worked quite well with Vista. There is still a few quirks that have always bothered me with PSP, but I will work with it some more and see how it goes.

The second trial I downloaded was Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.

I found it quite interesting that Adobe released at patch for Photoshop Elements 5 to work with Vista, but not CS2. Anyways, I have Photoshop Elements 4 on my Mac and it does a great job, so I downloaded this trial to see the updates and how it works with Vista. Obivously the interface is more familiar and is a little easier to work with, but I will also give this a try for a few days and see how it goes.

So for you who are running Windows Vista, what graphics software are you using?


15,694 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Still hanging on to good ol' PSP 7.04
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Still using CorelDRAWx3 but with the Vista upgrade Corel gave freely when Vista came out. Seems to work fine.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Still hanging on to good ol' PSP 7.04


Your a braver man than me.   


Im not using Vista but if I was, i would use CS2..

WHOOPS.. no I wouldnt, it doesnt work correctly.   
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've never had a problem with CS2 on Vista, but I don't have WB installed yet on Vista either.

Could PS and WB compatibiliy be the problem?

I know I had problems with the CS3 beta and Windowblinds on XP...windows wouldn't minimize or close, but I haven't upgraded to the CS3 release to know if there's still a problem.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The CS2 menus dont skin correctly in WB.. in Vista or x64xp
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
PS 7
Painter X
Pixologic ZBrush

I'm not upgrading PS until they release a 64bit version.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm using CS2 on Vista and it works just fine. I haven't had any problems with it.

Otherwise you might also use Corel X3 which you need to download an update to work on Vista.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Still hanging on to good ol' PSP 7.04 

Same here. It's all I need to make skins

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Same here. It's all I need to make skins

Good laddy, and fine skins you do create!

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
GR you darn freeloader   
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
CS2, PSP XI, Adobe LightRoom, Bryce 6, Carrara Pro 5, Draw Plus 6

I prefer PSP XI,I've used it since 7 (8,9,10). So I know it well.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Paint.net here. (Not that I can skin.)
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Now that I have Vista installed and running....Paint Shop Pro X (with all patches + Vista patch). I have Photoshop CS2, but am trying to decide if I should install it. I have a plugin/filter from Alien Skin that only works on PS, and it wasn't cheap.   Sorry, but Adobe just chaps my hide...Photoshop isn't the only thing they are neglecting, all of the Macromedia 8 Suite has been tossed aside as well. So far I am able to get most to work okay.

Good news though, as old as it is, The Font Thing works just fine in Vista!!   
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Using Adobe Design Premium Suite CS3 as of yesterday (I'm a Graphic Designer). I never did have any problems with cs2 programs on Vista though.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've used CS2 some on Vista 64bit and had no issues

I like MS Digital Image Pro , though works great on vista
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have to say, you may want to try out the current beta of Expression design. It gives you raster and vector graphics tools and many more. Not sure what our final release date will be but the tool is nice and works well on Vista. It will be a great tool for doing graphics on vista! Anyway not to sound like a sales man but you can try it out at the Expression Site. Have fun!
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use Xara Xtreme Pro from www.xara.com. It is very fast, very powerful, and (relatively) inexpensive. It actually started out several years ago as a better Corel Draw but they must have run into some legal problems with Corel because they pulled in their horns a bit and generally only sell through their online store. They handle vector graphics at lightining speed and thy cann import salmost any file type, including Adobe PhotoShop and Illustrator. I have all of the Xara products and they are all excellent. It's also a very good company with pretty good support. They have a try-before-buy option for most of their products. The most fun is Xara3D and the most powerful is Xara Xtreme Pro. 
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not sure what our final release date will be but the tool is nice and works well on Vista. It will be a great tool for doing graphics on vista! Anyway not to sound like a sales man but you can try it out at the Expression Site. Have fun!


Thanks for that suggestion, I'm downloading the beta right now.




Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use Inkscape, GIMP, and Paint.NET. I could just buy one program and I wouldn't need all of these, but I'm cheap.

Inkscape: I'm most familiar with this. I can get things done quickly.

GIMP: Most features. Hardest to use. I don't like the UI layout.

Paint.NET: Mostly for finishing after using Inkscape. Works great on Vista. Not many features.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am using Elements 5, Ulead PhotoImpact 12, am running trial version of PSP X1, and Microsoft Digital Image Pro 2006, so I'll download Expressions and give it a buzz. Jim
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I use the Photoshop CS3 beta.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI v11.20
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended
Ulead PhotoImpact 12

Adobe CS3 Design Premium

dont use them much , Ulead is the one i use most.