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Really useful extras are the toolbars for recently used brushes and an icon based command bar both of which can be toggled on and off from the main menu under “Window.” The recent brushes are a godsend if you’re working on a piece over a few days or weeks. On selecting a tool from the toolbar, more options and settings become available on the top. Active colours are shown on the left side of the colour picker, by clicking on the active colours on the toolbar this also updates be it foreground or background. This can be resized by dragging the outer edge or moved to wherever you want by dragging it within the middle grey zone. Palettes can be minimised to increase workspace easily by double clicking on the tabs.Ī useful colour picker is provided as a floating tool too. The same goes for the palettes – if you like your palettes as side attachments, you can do this too. Toolbars float so you can arrange them where you want, they also snap easily to the sides or attach fully (indicated by a blue indicator line).
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The interface is clean and tidy, tools are clear and big enough while still leaving plenty of workspace for your working area. If you prefer to jump straight into working, you can turn off the welcome screen easily top right. Also from this welcome screen are links to tutorials, gallery and news over at Corel’s Painter website. On opening, you see the Welcome Screen where you can directly access previously opened documents and specify if you’re working on laptop or tablet (here you can also chose right or left handed usage). Dark, elegant and giving good contrast in the workspace, the interface brings the most important part, your artwork, to the fore. Corel Painter Essentials InterfaceĪfter a smooth installation and relatively fast software start, you’re ready to take a look at the interface of this new Painter Essentials version. The software is available for Mac and PC. Changing from laptop to tablet allows adjustments for tool settings to become larger and icon based, palettes are as default minimized.
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The new version of Corel Painter Essentials, version 7, offers improved pressure sensitivity for graphic tablets and is equipped with Presentation, Laptop and Tablet Modes for flexible usage. But the beauty of this kind of medium cannot be disputed either as art or of the use as graphic design elements.
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Myself as graphic designer, have only basic painting skills when it comes to wielding a brush or spatula filled with oil or water colour paint. Ever wanted to start digital painting but didn’t know where to start?
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