I use photoshop for image editing and covers. I use illustrator when doing logos and other vector illustrations. GIMP is great if you use linux because it's free!

i use both Paint Shop Pro 11 and PhotoShop CS2 but i mainly use Psp11 for most of my work...
If you are starting out i would recommend getting to grips with Photoshop a little more harder to learn but well worth it.
Psp 11 is similar to Photoshop but it's interface is alot easier to get around than that of Photoshop but not capable of everything that Ps can do.
which why i use both lol

I have only tried PSP a few times. When I began to design I decided to learn how to use Photoshop because I had always heard about it and it seemed to be the top program at the time(I believe it still is). The general consensus is that Photoshop is most powerful and advanced program of its type. I learn new tricks and techniques all the time. Even the developers at Adobe have admitted that they don't know the full potential of the program.

I forgot to add fireworks (which was recently bought out by Adobe) which I use at times particularly for web based purposes.

Adobe Photoshop for me everytime, have tried others but i like this one :)

SW what kind of work to you do for a living? The covers you make are really very good and the custom work is great.

I use CS3 and 3DMax................plus, ADOBE suite............when I need too:thumbup:

I joined the ADOBE.com POWER USERS after purchasing CS2 because they said they would make me an honorary member after I had been able to get away without making a purchase of any of their products for 10 years:omg: :lol: :lol:

:goodpost::lol:

I am using Photoshop CS for my covers, but they are rubbish so far. The program is great though.

covers.....................COVERS ...............Saw are you making covers at last:omg:

I use Paint Shop Pro 7 still. Okay so it's really old but whatever.

I'm like Demonology... I use Paintshop Pro 11 (which I find much easier to get to grips with) and I use Adobe CS2 for a few odd things that I find PSP11 can't do... I also have quite a few Plug Ins that are only compatable with Photoshop, so i use it then, but most of the Plug Ins also work in PSP.

I use PhotoImpact 10. I love the program. Also, somtimes PSP. But PhotoImpact is what I am very comfortable using.

Paint Shop Pro 7? wow...

The majority of the time it is PS and Illustrator. On occasion I have used After Effects. It gives the abilty to use cetain effects that I do not have in PS. Even though i is a video creating/editing app it cuts time down. I never thought of using 3DMax. I guess it's time to break it out along with Maya. I might be able to utilize some of their particle effects and bump mapping on creating textues.:omg: Thanks for the idea Kylumi. :thumbup:

my wife uses 7. Will use nothing else.

I have ArcSoft Photo Suite 5 on my PC. It gives me crap all the time when I use the magic wand for outlines (see my Work in Progress for Godzilla : Final Wars).

Let me see...I have...

Photoshop CS3 Extended
PaintShop Pro X2 (with a few freebies left over from 7 & 8)
Corel Painter X
Corel Draw X3

Don't use Painter and Draw much at all...if ever

Photoshop CS3 Extended
and Paint Shop Pro 7 pro

I use both, Just started with photoshop, first cover ever designed with photoshop was my Ghostbusters, and Next is Superman Returns...

Photoshop cs2 for me although I havent finished a cover in a long while. Have about a dozen half finished one's though. :)