People often ask me about which digital art tools to use, and how to afford them. I use a combination of free open source programs along with expensive traditional programs. Here's a list of programs I use, and free or under $10-alternatives. Most of these are open source, although a few are freeware (free software) and cheap apps.
Tools I Use, and their free/cheap alternatives:
Adobe Photoshop CS
Type: Pixel art program.
Uses: Photo retouching, airbrushing, adding color to lineart, enhancements.
Easy Alternatives: Paint.NET (Windows Only!)
App Alternatives (under $10, but not free): AutoDesk Sketchbook Pro (Android), LayerPaint (Android), Layers (iPad)
Note: Students qualify for educational discounts for Adobe products. Campus stores offer them, and often have year-end sales to sell off older technology. Students can also qualify for free copies by getting involved with student publications, working for a professor, or simply asking faculty members for their spare copies. Technology departments keep extra versions or access codes on hand, and many let you keep the software. Microsoft-compatible versions are harder to find than Mac-compatible ones.
Adobe Illustrator
Type: Vector art program
Uses: Lineart, logos, signs, font creation, art that is resized a lot
Complex Alternatives: Inkscape
Simple Alternative: Inkscape and Illustrator both have an "easy button" called "Auto Trace." It has a sub-settings menu to adjust the type of inking. Auto-Trace is very powerful feature that is useful for tracing lineart and handwritten letters (for authentic "hand written" font creation.)
Note: Students can get deep educational discounts for Adobe products. The student store is usually cheapest, especially when selling off older technology. Students may also qualify for free copies by getting involved with student publications, working for a professor, or simply asking faculty members for their spare copies. Many technology departments keep extra versions or access codes on hand, and let you keep the technology. Microsoft-compatible versions are harder to find than Mac-compatible ones.
Sculptris (free)
Type: 3D Modeling Computer Assisted Design (CAD) Program
Uses: "Hand sculpting" 3D content, organic shapes, jewelry, faces, "sketching out" a 3D project
Note: Sculptris does not "hollow" out your work. Since hollowing saves as much as 90% of money on 3D printing, export your Sculptris work into another software for hollowing.
Blender (free and open source):
Type: 3D Modeling Computer Assisted Design (CAD) Program, 3D Animation Program
Uses: Retopology, hollowing out a model, engineering, creating complex mechanical parts with exact measurements, sculpting (sculpting interface is less intuitive than Sculptris is), 3D animation, 3D games. Blender "does everything."
Notes: Blender's Boolean (i.e. hole punching) feature isn't good for complex sculpts. So make holes, don't break holes.
Adobe Flash (OUTDATED)
Type: 2D Animation Software
Uses: Cartoon animation, games (not recommended), websites (not recommended)
Note: Flash has serious compatibility issues with smartphones and touchscreens. I still use Flash for fun, but use HTML 5 for professional projects.
InDesign
Type: Desktop Publishing and Formatting Tool
Uses: Magazine, eReader, document layouts, pamphlets, books
Alternatives: Scribus
Easy Alternatives: Libre Office
... And counting. Stay tuned :D!
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