TBWTLITT

In my last couple of posts, I discussed different options for editing software. In this post, I intend to help explain the hardware requirements in order to use that software efficiently. Before I get into the subject I wanted to clarify that I am in no means a computer hardware expert, all of my recommendations will come from the creators of the editing software.

You just installed your new editing software and you’re ready to start creating content. You attempt to load the program but it appears slower than programs you’ve used in the past. The most likely reason for this is your computer hardware, the pieces inside your computer, do not meet the programs hardware requirements. When it comes to hardware for editing software there are five major components to pay attention to.

They are:

RAM
CPU
GPU
Internal/External Storage
Monitor (Optional)

Most programs require 4GB of RAM or more in order to run at a decent speed. From personal experience, I would recommend going with 8GB of RAM just to be on the safe side. While RAM provides the memory for instructions to be executed it’s up to the CPU to run those executions. I’ve only dealt with Intel Processors but the sites I’ve mentioned below should provide equivalents in other brands such as AMD. When it comes to Intel processors you might be able to get away with an i3 if the program isn’t extensive, but if you can afford to go with an i5 then there won’t be very many programs your computer can’t handle logically. Next is GPU. Similar to the CPU, the GPU is in charge of memory and executing instructions for graphical purposes. You might have an amazing processor but if you do not have one dedicated to graphics it will be near impossible to run video editing software at an efficient speed without any lag. I’m running an Intel (R) HD Graphics 530. Although it often meets the requirements and runs moderately, its an outdated graphics card that could easily be replaced by a newer and better graphics card to boost performance.

When it comes to buying your computer hardware here are my recommendations from personal experience. The first place I always check is Amazon. I might not necessarily purchase from them but I may use their listings to get more information on the product. I mainly use Amazon to gather information or to buy smaller hardware such as cords. Next, I would then either check out Newegg or Micro Center. Although they offer a few other products, Newegg is known for its wide selection of computer hardware available at the click of a button. They also allow you to compare different components and then based on the ones you are comparing, offer recommendations relevant to your search. Although Micro Center also has a decent online store, what they offer that their competitors don’t are physical stores with staff that can assist you with any electronics project you’re working on. Here is a video that helps showcase all the things they offer.

Before purchasing and trying to use any editing software, make sure that your computer meets the hardware requirements and that you have enough storage space for both the software and the files for your upcoming projects.

In my last two posts I had mentioned a few different graphic design software’s. Each program excels in different areas of graphic design. In this post I will discuss a few of the budget friendly software that are available. These programs will be rated by my personal preference but I’d still recommend trying each one to see which one best suits you.

Programs listed by personal preference

Pixlr – free
Inkscape – free
GIMP – free

Pixlr (Photo Editor)

If you have some photos that you would like to touch up but don’t want to spend $119.88/yr for a subscription for Adobe Photoshop then I’d recommend using Pixlr. Pixlr is a free online photo editor that allows you to edit any photo. They provide different filters, effects and adjustments such as saturation or contrast. Another great feature is they have a large library of stock images for you to practice on if you don’t already have your own.

The pros for this program is it’s free to use, it does not require any installation, provides a large selection of editing tools, and has a collection of stock images already built into the program for use. The cons for the programs is its web based so it requires an internet connection, it can only open image files, has a small collection of templates, and the drawing tools have limited capabilities. Overall if you need a quick touch up on your family photos, Pixlr is a great choice.

Inkscape (Vector Graphics Editor)

My next recommendation is for anyone interested in creating logos or other types of vector graphics. The major advantage of a vector graphic compared to raster image is it can be resized without having to compromise with image quality. Rather than spending $239.88/yr for a subscription for Adobe Illustrator, I’d recommend Inkscape. Inkscape is a free vector graphics editor had shares a lot of the same tools as Illustrator. It took me a bit to learn what each tool was because a few shared the same symbols as Illustrator but had different properties to their use. Once I got past the confusion I was able to recreate the same logos I had made in Illustrator.

The pros for this program is it’s free to use, doesn’t require an internet connection to use once downloaded, and it allows importing several different file formats such as Adobe Illustrator (ai). The cons for the program is it doesn’t allow customizing the workspace, the tools take time to get used to, and it doesn’t provide all color options at the same time. Overall if you need to either practice with vector graphics or need to create a logo without breaking the bank, Inkscape is your go to program.

GIMP (Photo Editor, Raster Graphics Editor)

So far these programs have only been able to perform one type of editing. With my final recommendation you can kill two birds with one stone. My last recommendation is GIMP, which stand for GNU Image Manipulation Program. Gimp has the capabilities of both editing photos, as well as either editing or developing raster images. Meaning if you want to edit your photos but want a program that doesn’t require an internet connection that GIMP is your tool. If you want to create digital art but don’t want to spend money on digital art programs, then GIMP is your tool as well. Although there was a bit of a learning curve, GIMP is my go to program when I need to create a rasterized image.

The pros for this program is it’s free to use, allows for both editing photos and creating raster images, it has a decent selection of brushes, and it can open several different file formats such as Adobe Photoshop (psd). The cons for the program is the tools have a learning curve, some brushes seem unnecessary, and you have to know the names of the fonts you want to use. Overall whether you need to edit photos or want to create digital art, I’d highly recommend trying GIMP.