Ask me here!

I've compiled a lot of information and links in the pages below, but if it's not clear, or not there, or wrong, or you just don't want to search them all, you are welcome to ask here.

I've been painting with ArtRage for about two and a half years now (since early 2007) and know my way around it pretty well. And I'm alsways happy to answer questions - however random, if I don't know it, i can probably find out

In fact, it was the constant stream of 'what is ArtRage???" that I kept having to write long answers for, that prompted me to MAKE the below sites. So please use them! And ask away. And give me nice links to add
(interestingly, I've noticed the number of people asking me every month has dropped significantly, since I added the links to my signature )

Helpful links:
ArtRage: Basic navigation, reviews and how-tos
ArtRage - German/Deutsch
ArtRage Tutorials and Resources: Painting techniques, tutorials, and free downloads
Graphics Tablets and ArtRage

If you paint with ArtRage, I'll add you to these pages:
ArtRage Artists on Deviantart: An index and gallery of ArtRage on DeviantART

ArtRage Artists on DeviantART: A-F
DeviantART ArtRage Artists from G-K

ArtRage Artists on DeviantART: L-S
ArtRage Artists on DeviantART: T-Z
ArtRage on Zazzle

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Ask about ArtRage
Gunnerkrigg Court [link]
TinEye - find art theft [link]

Okay, first question What makes ArtRage so different from other apps? Eg, what are the main features that separate it from something like Photoshop etc?

I've just downloaded it and will mess around a bit more with it in a week or so when I'm on holidays, but at this stage I still pretty much know next to nothing about this program.

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Come to the dark side, we have cookies.

BwaHAHA I have lured another to the Art Side!

Okay...
1. Ease of use. It looks like a canvas, the tools and menus etc are really obvious and stay out of the way, there's no hunting through hundreds of settings to make something work/change a size/tool/colour (obviously, there is a bit to learn, but it doesn't stop you actually being able to paint)

2. It acts like real paint/pencil/crayon/chalk - or the closest there is online, I think. I believe Corel or OpenCanvas may be similar in some respects, but not quite to the extent of ArtRage (and Corel is what? $200?)
It's not perfect - watercolours are the main gripe - but they're working on a new version
Also, it's messy like real paint, so some straight-from-Photoshop-users don't like this.

3. Metallic paint! (Uh, full edition >.> ) And textures, and paint interacts with the canvas texture (paper, canvas, blackboard setting even )

4. The colour blending. Seriously, whatever algorithm they're using, it is fantastic.

5. Very good support and works on different platforms (Ubuntu, Mac, Windows... ), and the developers are actually active in the forums, and CHEAP ($25) and they have a freee version And if you lose it somehow, you can just download it again. So it's a very safe program to try.

6. It's got a lot of easy to use/customise stencils, canvas textures etc

7. It's FUUUUN. A five year old can play for hours, and it's still advanced enough to paint real pictures.

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Ask about ArtRage
Gunnerkrigg Court [link]
TinEye - find art theft [link]

Sorry for the uber late reply, but I finally got around to messing around with it And I definitely agree with point 7 now, it was fantastic fun!

What I really love - colour blending, as you mentioned. The fantastic traditional feel/imitation. I think I may have to go up the full version though, working on a single layer is a pain when you're trying to do complex stuff T_T This'll probably help with the paint-messy-everywhere bit.

Really simple piece, but I'm happy with it, done in ArtRage:

[link]

Something like that, you just can't do it in Photoshop
SO, thanks for the recommendation and for taking the time to write all of your reply! Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.

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Come to the dark side, we have cookies.

Oh good! I'm glad you enjoyed it ^_^

Yessss, I had to buy the full version to get layers too It has a lot of effects and such that I'm still working out ^_^

And picture!

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Ask about ArtRage
Gunnerkrigg Court [link]
TinEye - find art theft [link]

Thanks Nothing of your standard, but it's fun and also great being able to fully appreciate your work now!

Yeah... I totally miss my layers... just trying to decide whether it's worth getting the backup cd as well :/ decisions, decisions.

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Come to the dark side, we have cookies.

hah. Go look in my early scraps >.>

_{or this folder I keep around specially for stuff like this [link]}

And no! Not as long as you have an internet connection, anyway. Just register in the forums and you can always re-download (or make your own backup CD)

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Ask about ArtRage
Gunnerkrigg Court [link]
TinEye - find art theft [link]

Thanks for that! I just bought it, and have been messing around for the past hour Still trying to work out what exactly that dropper tool in the very left corner does though

But thankyou thankyou thankyou for recommending it Very much worth it.

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Come to the dark side, we have cookies.

Colour picker ^_^
Also, if you pick a colour, hold down 'Alt' and click the background... it changes

And you are VERY welcome

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Ask about ArtRage
Gunnerkrigg Court [link]
TinEye - find art theft [link]