How does this compare to ArtRage?

[DodderingOldMan]

I'm not much of an artist, I have zero talent, but I enjoy mucking around with drawing. I got ArtRage on Steam a while ago and I love it, particularly the realistic simulation of pencil/pastel/paint. What does openCanvas have to set it apart, and would it be worth getting as well?

[BOYCOTT S-T-E-A-M!]

While I can't comment on this version of OpenCanvas I can tell you some things you might be interested in.

You should check out the old freeware version of OpenCanvas. OpenCanvas version 1.1 was the last freeware release before it became a paid product. Its not very advanced but its easy to use and interesting. Its a lot like an improved version of Paint which comes with Windows although it also has some interesting networking features. For instance you can LAN up with people and do some multi-user painting. (This feature was dropped from all the later versions.)

You might also want to check out the General Image Manipulation Program or GIMP at http://www.gimp.org/

GIMP is free and opensource. It is essentially a "poor mans" form of photoshop. I use it quite often and find it to be a really fantastic program. Its pretty easy to learn and there are a lot of tutorials available.

Another program you might enjoy is Inkscape. Its a vector based art program and is likewise a freeware program. I can't comment much on how easy it is to use or anything though... I never took the time to fully learn it. I generally use it just for some of its filter effects to help turn sketches into nice lineart.

All three of the programs I mentioned are available to use for free so if you have an interest check them out.

[1Garrett2010]

What sets OpenCanvas apart are event files you can load in the program, where you can watch every steps an artist made to create an art. Go to http://www.portalgraphics.net/pg/ and look at event files uploaded by users every day, there are really a lot of works you can learn so much from them. Usually i choose 2-3 artists i like their masterpieces and i learn from their event files. Awesome.

[Graviterium]

openCanvas tools are pretty weak and are mostly good for digital, non-realistic paintings. You can achieve a realistic-looking painting but it will take a lot of practice. ArtRage is better if you want paintings that look like real-life drawings. Personally, I would advice you to look at PaintTool SAI drawing program which is much more neat and easy to work with, or Manga Studio 5 which is a very powerful drawing software. They both are not present on Steam though, so see for yourself.

Originally posted by 1Garrett2010:

What sets OpenCanvas apart are event files you can load in the program, where you can watch every steps an artist made to create an art. Go to http://www.portalgraphics.net/pg/ and look at event files uploaded by users every day, there are really a lot of works you can learn so much from them. Usually i choose 2-3 artists i like their masterpieces and i learn from their event files. Awesome.

You can do that in ArtRage too. They don't have a comparable event files gallery though.

[Plibbo64]

I used to do 'inking' for comic type illustrations in photoshop, then imported the linework into artrage to give it a splendid painted look..

Since Artrage 3, I've been using the Pen Tool, which is very competent, and much easier to use than that blurry, nonsmoothed junk in photoshop. Anyway, I like art rage a lot, but it has some quirks.. for example.. in a large file, attempting to draw small details with the pencil or pen results in a weird blotty thing.. I don't know what the issue is.. But on a small canvas, the issue goes away...


My question is, how does the linework compare to art rage's pen, and can I import lines I do in open canvas into art rage?

[Acru]

Download the demo from their website, it has a 120 day trial.

[Ganjika *]

OpenCanvas is similar to an upgraded ms paint but not quite as good as gimp IMO, ArtRage has an engine that blends the paints and emulates a true medium.

[xyzt]

Originally posted by Polioliolio:

My question is, how does the linework compare to art rage's pen, and can I import lines I do in open canvas into art rage?

OpenCanvas 5.5 has four different save options: Save Layer, Save As, Save, and Save Event. Most programs don't seem to have a Save Layer option, so I'm thinking that's what you are asking if OpenCanvas has. If so, then yes, OpenCanvas has that.

Originally posted by strover:

What does openCanvas have to set it apart, and would it be worth getting as well?

OpenCanvas is frugal on resources. I've never had a memory problem working with it.. ever. It's very responsive, and has just enough image editing options that I usually use it over Photoshop. Learning exactly how an artist did a picture you like, as if you were in the same room with them is something that OpenCanvas does very well with their online forum. Every tablet I've ever used, regardless of brand name, has worked with OpenCanvas. OpenCanvas has plenty of annoyances... but as to where it shines, I think the above is clear enough.

[edit: I forgot HSV HSL circle with vertical thin rectangle color picker. I really like it. For whatever reason, I don't seem to run into it in other programs... so... it's nice to know that I have it every time I use OpenCanvas.]

[TNX]

No love for MyPaint here?

[xyzt]

Unixis, MyPaint is great. Working with a specific resolution is a bear though. When you set a resolution and force it via the Document Frame property, it moves over the to left side of the screen instead of centering it. The save formats are nice while the layer blend options are limited. The animation x frame work though... that looks really interesting.

[Magnatude]

I have both, (My avatar was made in OC)
Glad to see this come to Steam.
Artrage does some great paint simulations, OC is more... um... put it this way, it doesnt really have the Artrage 3D effect of paint, however you ability to tweak the pens in OC are endless.
Each tool has it unique things. But OC is definitly suited to the Photoshop style artist.

There are a ton of other things that OC does better... but both are well used by me.
Both are great programs.