GIMP, Paint Shop Pro or another cheap alternative?

[NewKidOnTheBlock]

Hello. I'd like to learn some stuff about graphics (so I can make font that looks like fire or becomes darker/lighter, etc.).

Of course i'd like to learn even more in the long run ^^.

So, I was wondering which program i should pick: Is it possible to start with gimp and later transfer my skills to Paintshop or Photoshop or Fireworks or something or are the skills needed totally unrelated?

Would there be any advantage in buying a rather cheap program like Paintshop Pro instead of using Gimp?

thx

[Brian M]

I use the gimp. In my opinion its a good way to learn such things as layering, animation, and applying different effects to pictures without spending a boatload of money on software. You can carry any skills you learn with any imaging software onto any other imaging software. Some offer more or less options, and they have different layouts, but creating pictures is creating pictures, no matter what software you use. If you have the right skills you can use ms-paint to make nice looking graphics. All it takes is practice...

[guppyman]

GIMP is good enough for me...

[X-Tox-Man]

I use gimp too.
but how do i upload images to this thread??

[chicgeek]

Click on "Go Advanced".