Also make sure the app you use can handle not only 8bit per channel, but also 16bit per channel files (preferably also 32bit per channel). Gimpâs 16 bit support is still kinda wonky. Even Photoshop has trouble with 16bit files and a large chuck of its filters will not work in this mode.
Some of the reasons you want 16bit per channel support:
- for high quality displacement maps in Blender (16bit greyscale supports 65,536 levels, while 8bit only supports 256 levels)
- same for high quality bump maps
- for HDR (High Dynamic Range) images. Also to edit HDR colour textures based on your own DSLR Raw imagery.
- to be able to open and use 16bit/32bit passes from Blender
The only app I have found so far that fully supports 16bit, has adjustment layers, advanced layer blending like Photoshop, full masking (even multiple layer masks for on layer), LAB/RGB/CMYK support in 8/16/32 bit per channel, HDR, layer styles, and much more, is Photoline. The painting tools are okay, but Mypaint is superior in that respect. 64bit version is available.
Photoline is the only serious image editing app I have found so far that can hold its own against Photoshop (minus the 3d tools, movie tools, and painting). It actually outperforms Photoshop in a number of areas:
- as many layer masks per layer as you want (finally!!!)
- all filters can be applied to 16bit per channel layers, and they work in 32bit as well (though I am not certain if floating point operations are actually used in 32 bit)
- each layer can have its own colour mode: this means one layer stack may contain any number and combinations of rgb(8/16/32bit), LAB(8/16/32bit), CMYK, greyscale and monochrome, and each layer can have its own resolution and image size! Amazing.
- full vector tools
- multi-page support (very handy for importing a pdf for rasterization: PH only supports one page import)
- 90% of the filters are non-destructive - no smart objects required, unlike PH
- virtual copies of layers (like alt-d in blender)
- a noise filter that is actually usable (and non-destructive) (most filters that are comparable are superior to PHâs versions)
- image adjustments can be applied directly to LAB/HIS without having to switch image colour mode!
- full document support: it can be used as a DTP app as well (though obviously not as powerful as InDesign)
- opacity slider for each layer can be set to a negative value, as well as more than 100% (up to 200%)! This is surprisingly useful, and would require additional steps in PH to create similar effects.
- the curve adjustment layer icon actually displays the curve in use! Hah! Useful.
The main drawback is the interface - it looks old-fashioned, is inconsistent at times, and the translation from German can be harrowing at best (âLevelsâ translates to âHistogram Correctionâ, for example - not exactly industry standard). The help file is unhelpful (no pun intended), and badly structured and written. The forum has been very helpful, though. Some things are just very different compared to Photoshop (But hey, havenât we heard that before
Also: no OpenEXR support.
http://www.pl32.com
I only found out about Photoline a month ago; and as a professional Photoshop user for many years (heck, I used to be an Adobe Certified Expert!), my requirements are pretty hefty. I do miss some workflow enhancements that are available in PH, but so far Photoline is quite amazing for 50 euros. Add in Inkscape, MyPaint and/or Krita for free, and you are good to go.