CNET Editors' review
Corel Painter Essentials 4 is a slimmed-down version of Painter for home use, but don't let that fool you into thinking that the average home user will be disappointed. For those who like to play around with their photos, tweaking them artistically, Essentials provides a deep toolbox under its intuitive layout.
All the tool icons in the palette are large and easy to understand, there's nothing obscure or hard to remember here. Brush sizes and opacity can be adjusted at the top of the editing window using sliders, and while a few main brushes live on the main left-side toolbar, you can change those by accessing the Brush Drawer. The program features two workspaces, Drawing & Painting and Photo Painting. The first is a standard image-creation template, while the second lets you upload a photo and "paint" over it.
The Photo Painting was quite impressive. When you upload an image, you select which parts of it you want shown by using the same variety of paint tools available in the Drawing & Painting workspace. The choices are quite deep, too: you can choose to change the texture of the image by changing the paper, you can change the brush type and width, and even use different kinds of paints to change your staid photo into an Impressionist work of art.
Publisher's Description
From Corel:
Corel Painter Essentials 4 is the simple-to-use home art studio that makes it easy for you to sketch, paint and turn your photos into paintings. Two new workspaces put the tools you need at your fingertips, whether you're turning a photo into a painting, or sketching and painting on a blank canvas. Based on the world's most powerful painting and illustration software, Corel Painter, it's the ideal way to get started with digital art.
What's new in this version: Version 4 includes a wide array of new features, including a redesigned photo-painting workspace and Smart Stroke technology, and updated file formats, brush drawer, a mixer palette, tablet supports, and Magic Wand tool.
More Popular Illustration Software downloads
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
22,031 downloads
- Adobe Illustrator
4,132 downloads
- Edraw Max
2,267 downloads
- Photo to Cartoon
1,218 downloads
- Diagram Designer
977 downloads
-
All versions:
4.1 starsout of 16 votes
-
Current version:
4.1 starsout of 16 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"great with photo editing, not so good for creating"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
Pros
The Photo Painting Section is superb.
The video tutorial included let you learn easily how to use each of its features.
The function autopainting takes your fotos and transforms them in artworks (you just have to choose style and tecqnique and possibly add some finishing touches).
As an artist who works with oils I find this tool extremely helpful because i can make realistic studies and experiments before painting on canvas.Cons
The drawing and painting section is a little disappointing. It may be fun for children but has a series of little flaws that make me unwilling to pay for it. For instance:
I find that i cannot draw lines perfectly smooth (very important in ink drawings) and the thinnest line available is too thick for me.
The bucket fill tool with the gradient option is a joke. There are only 5 gradients available and cannot be edited.
The realism of the paint is pushed well beyond reality. I have discovered that white and pale colors in general cannot be used over dark or intense ones. To apply higlights (e.g. the white speck in the eye) I have to create a new layer and paint on it.
Painting on a new layer means that i cannot smudge or blend the pale colors with the dark underneath.
In other cases the problem is opposite. I can't understand why the pastel (a dry media) picks up the colors present on the canvas. One is never sure of the color one will get.
Etc.Summary
It has some very powerful and impressing features for foto editing but the drawing and painting section takes time to get used to. And it is satisfactory only if you have limited expectations.
-
"this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
Pros
Amazing Power for the Price!
I have children 14, 11, and 9, and I was looking for software that would appeal to their creative side.
the product comes with a great discount of $28.06 (28%)Cons
The simple-to-use home art studio that makes it easy for you to draw, paint or turn your photos into paintings--the ideal way to get started with digital art
Enhanced Photo Painting System reduces the complexity of turning a photo into a painting -
"Absolutely Astounding!"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
Pros
Easy to use.
Amazing results for the average computer user.
60 days free trial. I wanted to buy it immediately.Cons
Nothing at all.
Summary
Once every few years I find software that just blows me away.
Start with "Auto Painting". Import a picture you like from your computer.
Corel Painter Essential 4 is one such product.
It takes ordinary photographs and makes them a work of art.
You are always in control with simple, intuitive buttons.
The video tutorials are easy to understand but Corel Painter
is so simple to use you will be able to create, save and print
something amazing in 15 minutes.
If you can take a digital photograph with one click, you can master
this software.
Show your family and friends what a creative genius you are with
cards and framed prints.
I cannot praise Corel Painter Essentials 4 too highly.
Updated on Jul 5, 2010
Then just click on the Auto Painting button. Save the result as a jpeg to print or
keep in My Pictures.
You will want to try the other options and more complicated stuff later, but this easy start will get you going - and addicted.
Updated on Jul 5, 2010Start with "Auto Painting". Import a picture you like from your computer.
Then just click on the Auto Painting button. Save the result as a jpeg to print or
keep in My Pictures. You will want to try the other options and more complicated stuff later, but this easy start will get you going - and addicted. -
"Easy to use"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
-
"Slim yet Powerful"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
Pros
The UI is superb! It may be a slimmed down version of Painter X, but all that you would need is practically included. Your creativity will just flow!
Cons
It is very addictive. hehe.
-
"good"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
Pros
good
-
"Amazing"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
Pros
It was good
-
"very good"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
-
"Fabulous"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
Pros
There is nothing to not like. I did have to hop over to Adobe and download a new version of "Acrobat Reader" for the manual, but no big deal. EXCELLENT DOCUMENTATION, full featured product. Corel treated me like a queen when I had difficulty with their downloads. I think all we artist types should own this product.
-
"aung"
Version: Corel Painter Essentials 4
Pros
min
Cons
hein
