Graphics Program

[oldgrayrogue]

Hey,

My 12 year old son is interested in getting into computer graphics. Can anyone recommend a user friendly graphics program I can get him started with?

[jmecha]

Paintbrush

[Faeryl]

GIMP is a free community driven graphics program that is equally as powerful as photoshop. It might be too much for a child, but a young teen should be able to learn it.

http://www.gimp.org/

There are many more free graphics packages out there that are good.

http://mashable.com/2007/10/27/graphics-toolbox/

If you want to buy, rather than go with the free software, I started with Paint Shop Pro. It doesn't have the power that Photoshop does, but is pretty good. Plus it has a free 30 day trial so you can try before you buy.

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/ ... 2796555406

[Hialmar]

http://www.tuxpaint.org/?lang=fr
It's up to 12 so might be too simple for your child.
If it is too simple, GIMP is good for 2D bitmap stuff.

For 2D vector graphics I would advise openoffice.org draw:
http://www.openoffice.org/

For 3D stuff:
http://sketchup.google.com/ -> easy to use, free and you can see your 3D objects in google earth.
http://milkshape3d.com/ -> way cheaper than 3DSMax and easier as well. Moreover you can extract stuff from a lot of games, modify them and export them back into the game.
http://graphics.ethz.ch/pointshop3d/ -> is quite fun as well.

I'd advise you to stay away from blender as it is very complex to use.

[Hialmar]

Ah yes for 2D vector graphics there is also:
http://inkscape.org/

[oldgrayrogue]

Thanks so much for all of the recommendations.

[Lucifer]

I know the Milk shape program reccommended has been used for 5 or 6 years by quite a few game modders I know , they can build in it and then port it to use in different games..or so they say..when it comes to that stuff your 12 year old has me beat OGR

[Hialmar]

DAZ 3D also offers free versions of Bryce and DAZ Studio 3.
http://www.daz3d.com/

Bryce is very good for making 3D landscapes.
I don't know DAZ Studio but it looks quite good for animating characters and animals.