Since Corel R.A.V.E. decided to blow up on me (I only used it for lineart, because I could draw pressure-sensitive vector lines that were automatically smoothed by the program, I’m admittedly a bit shaky at lineart
. The program is really terrible altogether. I got it for a birthday one year.) I’ve been looking around for a free art program that had a similar tool. I know Flash has what I‘m looking for, but face it… I just don’t have $400 kicking around to buy a good program and I used up the 30-day trial for a school project…
To cut to the chase, I ended up finding a lot of good,
free programs for a whole slew of different uses that ultimately had nothing to do with lineart. So I’m posting my collection of happily accidental finds so other people have a chance of finding a program they might like without spending a cent.
It’s all legit too. No illegal free copies of anything, sorry
Free Programs
Inkscape -
[link]
Vector art program. Didn’t have the sort of tablet support I wanted, but still a program I see being of use to someone. Hey, you can make shapes, spirals, and it’s got a pen tool, calligraphy tool (only tool that works with a tablet), and some other neat stuff. Not the best program, but it could still be useful.
Downloads availible for Windows/Mac/Linux and Fedora (which I’ve never heard of… but hey. Compatability)
Artrage2 -
[link]
This program is
fantastic. Just look under the heading ‘Artrage 2 Free Edition Download’ and hit English, French, or German for Windows or Mac, your choice
In the free version, you can paint, sketch… whatever! It simulates real media and it’s really fun to play with. The colours will even blend if you paint over top of a colour that you’ve previously painted… you even have to clean your brush sometimes. It also has tablet support. The only downside is that in the free version, you can’t use layers… oh well. There had to be a catch, right?
Definitely worth downloading! You have to try it to get what I mean. If your into any sort of visual art at ALL, get the free version…
NOW. I’m actually considering buying the $20 upgrade for the layers and extra tools… but I can tell you the free version is absotivly posoloutly fantasmic.
Google Sketchup 6 -
[link]
3D Modeling program. Being a complete n00b to anything 3D, I found it kind of quirky and weird to work with. Once I got the hang of it, however, I quite easily built a scale model of our basement and how the renovations we’re doing would look, even complete with some of the furniture. Hey, for me, that’s pretty impressive.
Fun program to play around with! You can get it for Windows or Mac
Apophysis -
[link]
Fractal flame editor. I’m also a n00b to this sort of stuff… it you’re like me you can just download it (Windows only, as far as I know), play around with some settings… and you can get some crazy weird looking line thingies called ‘fractal flames’, I believe. More of a program to play around with for some neat result I can see being used as background for something, or if you get really serious/good art all on their own.
Just play with it. It’s quite fascinating even if you‘re a total idiot like me.
Inspiration Links
Random Theme Generator -
[link]
An ectoplasmic jellyfish greets a dinosaur in the clouds.
A wet blind man embraces a squid in the subway.
A levitating man-tree reveals a penguin in mushrooms.
All these crazy ideas and more when you try out the random theme generator! The possibilities are endless. One click and you could end up inspired… or just have a good laugh. It’s given me many ideas for pictures already
It also really likes to be morbid (decapitations, dissections, zombies, the like). If you're like me and that's not exactly what you're looking for, just hit generate until you get something decent.
Heretical Rhyme Generator -
[link]
There once was a crooked old cat
Is it the breath of pollen that tears my eye?
Alright, what did you do with the cat?
From said head, I plucked out mine own eyes
Another idea generator. Give it the first line, hit groove, and you just might get something that makes sense!
…
almost makes sense anyway.
Also good for when you’re desperate for inspiration of some sort… or need to open up those arteries with a good snicker or two.
Help me Out?
... all that and I didn't even find what I was originally looking for! GAH.
Anyone know of a free program that has a pressure-sensitive freehand vector line tool? That's all I need.
Request Status
1.
Chinese Dragon - Have a sketch. Not entirely sure about it though...
2.
JinKin (
[link] [link] [link] ) Practicing my horse anatomy
3.
's Horse and/or Dog - Still practicing my horse anatomy... I really stink at it
4.
A griffin - Sketched! Probably going to paint it up in ArtRage.
5. Cat-Moose For Andrew
(doesn't have a dA account, s'far as I know)
6. Ridiculous fanart? Maybe later...
May post more free art stuff later, if I find anything else!
(Oh... Pssssst. Tottaly unrelated... but watch this video. It's renewed my faith in humankind
[link])
Shame
Artistic
