Question Seeking an alternative to Corel Photo Paint

[BonzaiDuck]

Being frugal and budgeting my money as a retired person, I spend enough time searching for prior-year versions of software which promise some reasonable use-life under current or new OS versions. For some 25 years, I've managed to acquire the Corel Draw Graphics Suite in its successive versions at considerably below its $500 price-tag.

I eventually found that the program within Corel Draw that I most depend on is Corel Photo Paint, but I don't believe it can be purchased separately. I was opften able to get a multi-PC license for "Draw" in a Home and Student version, sometimes for little over $100.

But now, you are faced with either buying a software "subscription" -- a concept that I don't much like -- or a full-blown $600 product, or a scaled down "Essentials" product of unknown usefulness. Apparently, because of hardware changes on my flagship system, my installation of Corel Draw X8 will no longer work without a Corel "Account", and if I ever had one, I don't know the ID and password. But it's an old license CD install.

What alternatives are available for Corel Photo Paint? Does anyone have some good recommendations?

 

[igor_kavinski]

Photopea | Online Photo Editor

GIMP is supposed to be the leading open source alternative.

More choices here: https://alternative.me/corel-photo-paint

Corel Draw 2014 Home/Student Edition for roughly $58: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115167132527

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Photopea | Online Photo Editor

GIMP is supposed to be the leading open source alternative.

More choices here: https://alternative.me/corel-photo-paint

Corel Draw 2014 Home/Student Edition for roughly $58: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115167132527

Thanks. I'd run across mention of GIMP, so I should try it.

The older I get, even as I'm throwing piles of money these days into my savings account and don't want for much under my long-habitual life-style, I weary of these software searches. I need my computers, don't know how I would live without the technology. I'm spoiled from many decades of finding use for a broad range of software.

Of course, in the search behind posting this thread, I've now spent some money in the trial-and-error effort.

For instance, some people explain in customer reviews various reasons for not liking Corel PhotoShop Pro (or Ultimate). I paid for it -- maybe $80 or $90. I'll probably post a review at Amazon. But it looks as though Painter Essentials 8 -- a major component -- might fulfill needs previously met with Corel Draw's PhotoPaint component.

It's always possible that some open-source item may prove better, so I'm definitely going to try GIMP.

We once were able to get Corel Draw "Academic" or "Education" edition without need to prove credentials or student status, but not true anymore. And some resellers aren't exactly forthright about the requirement. It pays to be careful.

Even so, the 2014 H/S version fully meets the sort of needs I might have or say I have. It works with Win 10. And for the price, if it only serves for a few years, that's still a bargain.

 

[balloonshark]

A new Corel bundle started today. No idea if what you need is included or not. If so you could save some cash. I've bought a ton of games from Humble so they are legit.

Anything but Ordinary Painter Bundle

We’ve teamed up with Corel for our newest bundle. Get software like Corel Painter 2022, Brush Packs, and VideoStudio Pro 2022. Plus, pay what you want & support charity!

www.humblebundle.com

FWIW Corel has huge discounts right before they release their latest versions.

 

[Super Spartan]

Being frugal and budgeting my money as a retired person, I spend enough time searching for prior-year versions of software which promise some reasonable use-life under current or new OS versions. For some 25 years, I've managed to acquire the Corel Draw Graphics Suite in its successive versions at considerably below its $500 price-tag.

I eventually found that the program within Corel Draw that I most depend on is Corel Photo Paint, but I don't believe it can be purchased separately. I was opften able to get a multi-PC license for "Draw" in a Home and Student version, sometimes for little over $100.

But now, you are faced with either buying a software "subscription" -- a concept that I don't much like -- or a full-blown $600 product, or a scaled down "Essentials" product of unknown usefulness. Apparently, because of hardware changes on my flagship system, my installation of Corel Draw X8 will no longer work without a Corel "Account", and if I ever had one, I don't know the ID and password. But it's an old license CD install.

What alternatives are available for Corel Photo Paint? Does anyone have some good recommendations?

I use Affinity Photo, it's a small one time fee for a lifetime license (say no to subscriptions) and is the best Photoshop alternative out there

They also have Affinity Designer and Affinity Publisher

 

[lxskllr]

Paint.net is an easy to use program that may suit your needs...

Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing

Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows.

www.getpaint.net

I used to use when I was on windows, and it served my needs. I now use gimp. It's a powerful program, that I find a little difficult to use. It's way overkill for most of my purposes, but I use it to maintain familiarity for the occasions when I need a more powerful tool.

Specifically for manipulating photos, you might want to look into darktable...

https://www.darktable.org/

Never used it, but I suspect it's professionally oriented; read difficult to use, but it has a good reputation. Only costs time to try.