#cant open firealpaca so on paint

[wuails]

[moonrkgk]

.art program breakdown

I kind of wanted to make a list for myself, but i also wanted to make it available for others to view if they wanted a pro and con list of different art programs! I'll start my lists with pro's and follow with con's. I will be focusing on desktop programs.

Paint Tool Sai v1/v2 :

A program i started off with, very simple to use. Between v1 and v2 there are minimal changes so i will be putting them together.

PRO

Brush engine is very 'plush'. This may be dependent on your tablet settings, but i have found through Sai that you dont need a lot of pressure to get a good result.

Great starter program. Is by no means overwhelming, and everything is clearly labelled. (Or with a small amount of exploring you will be able to find the use of each button/function.)

Many layer modes, a few are exclusive to Sai. (shade/shine specifically.)

Save states (Sai V2)

Perpetual License.

CON

Program is made by a singular person, so updates are few and far between.

No dark UI.

You cannot import ABR's.

Desktop only.

Given that the program is fairly minimal anyway, i feel like deducting 'points' from it for not having things like importing assets would be a bad idea. So for what its advertised as, id say its a solid 3 out of 5.

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Clip Studio Paint :

I have used this program for a few years, and have used on iOS and Windows.

PRO

You can import ABR's

3D models and other importable objects.

In app brush/object/material marketplace.

In app storage for art files.

'Teams' ( You are able to save your works and share them with another CSP user for coop on things like webtoons/comics or other projects.)

QA community, learn and teach, and showcase available in app.

Many layer modes, gradient maps, rulers, and materials.

Animation timelines. (CSP PRO only allows for 24 frames per animation. If you need/want more allowance you will have to upgrade to EX.)

Webtoon / comic creating features.

Mobile app companion.

Adjustable UI shades. (light/medium/dark)

Save states.

Timelapses.

CON

Limited perpetual license.*

Mobile version does not have a perpetual license and is monthly p2u.

Brush engine is very rigid.

SUT are not able to be used anywhere else but CSP.

*While i cant think of many cons, as of August 2022 and their decision to 'remove' perpetual licenses im docking them quite a few 'points'. A TLDR version would be while they do still offer perpetual licenses for version 2.0 onward, you will no longer get updates unless you pay for an update pass yearly fee ALONG WITH your perpetual license cost. You can read the entire article here. While the program is decent and widely used, their recent rug pull left a bad taste in the mouths of many so i will give it a 3of 5 for that reason. Use at your own risk.

Krita :

PRO

Free.

Open source.

Save states.

Limited ABR importation.*

Animation timelines.

*While you can import ABR's, it only imports the brush tip. You have to recreate the brush from there and this can be tedious.

CON

'Clunky' UI

No help desk.

Desktop only.

Performance and lag issues regularly.

I dont think ive ever had a particularly good experience using Krita. One of the main reasons i gave it up back in the day was solely because i was having so many performance issues and it was crashing regularly. These may no longer be issues, but i feel its important to add that it was a good enough reason that many people stopped using it because of. I give a 2 of 5.

Open Canvas / Medibang / FireAlpaca :

These three will get honourable mentions. While open canvas is not free, medibang and firealpaca are. Their UI is pretty much the same, as well as their features.

The most i would be able to say about these three is they are super minimal and basic. (However, if you do decide to stick with any i know people like Jax Sheridan 'Clockbirds' was able to create masterpieces with medibang. They seem to have since moved to photoshop as of ~4yr ago.)

2 of 5!

Photoshop:

PRO

ABR that are widely used and easily accessible.

Many layer modes.

Ruler and grid tools.

In app marketplace.

Cloud storage.

Mobile app.

Save states.

Accessible help desk / forum support.

CON

Monthly subscription.

Open GL issues.

Sporadic performance issues.

While i know a ton of people dislike PS CC because theyve had the market cornered for so long, i feel like the program itself is one of the best. You can find addons for thins like animation timelines, different UI settings, etc. (While not always free as they are user made.) The monthly cost is $9.99 USD (this may change based on your own currency or country.) which is fairly low. (I pay more for netflix per month.) They have been using this subscription model since 2012 when they introduced CC. Personally, the cost of using the program pays itself, but i understand the issues people have with this.

4 of 5.

Paintstorm Studio :

PRO

Save states.

Timelapses.

ABR importing.

Many brush layers, grids, rulers.

Active forum community and responsive help desk.

Extremely customizable brushes.

Customizable UI. (colours AND dark/light.)

OPEN GL.

CON

Issues with integrated graphics.

Occassional performance issues.

Perpetual license cost.

While paintstorm is not free, its $20 price tag is incredibly justifiable for what you get. They are fairly transparent with their plans, issues, and updates for the program (even with things like including animation tools or fixes.). I personally had some performance issues with the program and had to email their support and was replied to PROMPTLY with all the willingness to help.

The closest comparison i can make is that paintstorm is a mix of sai and CSP. Ive considered dropping CSP for this program entirely. (I just need a bit more time to get more comfortable.)

3 of 5.

OTHER HONOURABLE MENTIONS :

While these programs are not getting their own column, if you want to expand and try them out i wish you luck! (I may have either not used it long enough to form a solid enough yay or nay opinion, or i just dont particularly care for it either way anyway.)

GIMP

Rebelle

Corel Painter

Sketchbook

Procreate (iOS only)

ArtRage

I may at some point append this list as I grow, but for now i just really wanted to share what ive learned over the years with others. These are generally my own personal opinions, so youre free to take them with a grain of salt! But hopefully it helps someone out :)