Recommended Art Programs, Apps, and Plugins!Here's a list of my favorite programs and apps that I use to create art! I'll be updating this page as I discover more!
Filter Forge - I use this app to create abstract seamless patterns that I sell online as wallpaper, bedding, clothing, and other products. It has a lot of filters that create modern and boho designs. It can be used as a Photoshop filter or as standalone software. There are thousands of filters to choose from, and users add more every day. You also have the ability to create your own filters. This program is capable on outputting large images, which makes it perfect for large scale projects. I highly recommend waiting for this software to go on sale, otherwise it can be very expensive. If it's within your price range, the Professional Plus version includes all future versions of the program. Kaleido FX: This is a 3rd party Photoshop filter I use to make mandalas/kaleidoscopes. It can work with enormous images, albeit quite slowly. (I probably just need more RAM, after all, 15000 square pixels is rather large!) There are a ton of different types of kaleidoscope settings. Pardon the overused phrase, but really, the possibilities are endless with this software. I use this filter as a replacement for the kaleidoscope plug in from Mehdi Plugins. That plug in is 32 bit, and I had to stop using it when I upgraded to Photoshop Elements 15, which is 64 bit. Frax - I use this app to make fractals that I sell as prints and home decor products on Society6, Zazzle, Redbubble and Etsy. It's by far my favorite app to create art with. With a paid account you can spend credits to output fractals with incredibly large image resolution via the Frax servers. It's only available from iTunes, but hopefully it will be available through Google Play eventually. It can be used to make psychedelic animated fractals. You can also use this app to create animated fractal videos, but unfortunately not at a high resolution. Jux - This fractal generating software is very powerful and easy to use, especially if you are new to fractal art. Images take a while to render at large sizes, but unlike Frax, do not require purchasing credits. Jux allows the artist more control over things like lighting, textures, color palettes, gradients, and rendering options. As the software only costs $24, it can pay for itself through print and merchandise sales quite easily. Mirror Lab - This is a fun simple app I use to create mandalas and other abstract art with. I like to use this app to edit art made with other apps, especially PolyGen. This app has many effects and filters which create some very trippy art, and new effects are added often. As a phone app it can't output very large images, but it's still a very useful app and it has more than paid for itself. The Mosaic Art Lab and Chroma Lab are also worth checking out. This app can also be used to make videos. I use it often to make animated kaleidoscopes for my Youtube Channel. Forge of Neon - I use this free app to make psychedelic videos with accompanying music for my YouTube Channel. It's great for making animated, spinning mandalas. There are several different effects and filters. This app exports HD video fairly quickly, but unfortunately can't work in the background. (this app is also available on iTunes) PolyGen - I use this app to make low poly abstract geometric art. An in app purchase allows SVG export which can be exported to PNG, EPS, other formats using Inkscape. (It's a great free and open source program.) PolyGen is perfect for making abstract backgrounds and home decor products, like wall murals, rugs, shower curtains, and more. (also available on iTunes) |
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