What to Look for in Digital Art Software
If you’re getting into digital art, choosing the right software can feel a bit overwhelming. There are so many programs out there, and they all seem to have different features, prices and ways of doing things.
The truth is, there isn’t one piece of software that’s perfect for everyone. It really comes down to how you like to work and what you want to create.
There are a few things I’d definitely look at before making a decision.
Is it easy to use?
The first thing you’ll notice when you open any digital art program is the interface.
And honestly, this can make a huge difference.
You don’t want to spend half your time trying to work out where everything is. A good interface should feel fairly intuitive, even if you’re completely new to digital art.
It’s also worth looking for software that lets you customise the workspace. Being able to move things around and have your favourite tools where you want them can make the whole experience much more enjoyable.
What are the brushes like?
For me, the brushes are one of the most important things to look at.
Different artists want different things from their brushes. You might want brushes that feel like pencils, paints or ink, or you might be more interested in creating textures and effects that you simply couldn’t get with traditional materials.
It’s also worth checking how much control you have over the brushes. Being able to change things like size, opacity, texture and pressure sensitivity can make a big difference.
And if you can create or download your own brushes, even better. It gives you much more freedom to develop your own style.
Don’t underestimate layers
If you’re new to digital art, layers might seem a little confusing at first, but you’ll probably wonder how you ever managed without them once you get used to them.
Layers let you work on different parts of an image separately. So, for example, you could have your background on one layer, your main artwork on another and extra details on another.
That means you can change one part without accidentally ruining everything else.
It’s useful to have features such as layer groups, opacity controls and blending modes too. They give you lots of room to experiment without having to worry about making permanent changes to your artwork.
Think about where you’ll use it
There’s nothing more frustrating than starting a project on one device and then discovering you can’t easily open or continue it somewhere else.
If you work on both a tablet and a computer, check whether the software works across the devices you use.
It’s also worth checking which file types it can import and export. You don’t want to spend hours creating something only to discover that you can’t save it in the format you need.
And what about performance?
This is one that’s easy to overlook.
Some digital art programs can be quite demanding, particularly when you’re working with large canvases, lots of layers or complicated effects.
Before you commit to anything, check the system requirements and make sure your computer or tablet can handle it.
There’s nothing that kills your creative flow quicker than waiting for your brush stroke to catch up with your stylus!
Features That Can Take Your Digital Art Further
Once you’ve got the basics covered, there are some more advanced features that can be really useful.
You don’t necessarily need all of them, but they’re worth knowing about.
AI tools
AI has started making its way into digital art software, and whether you love it or aren’t quite sure about it, some of the tools can be genuinely useful.
For example, AI can help with things such as colourising artwork, making selections or experimenting with different styles.
Used well, these features can save you time and sometimes give you ideas you wouldn’t have thought of yourself.
3D tools
Some digital art programs now include 3D features alongside their traditional 2D tools.
This can be particularly useful if you struggle with things like perspective or want to add 3D objects or characters to an illustration.
You don’t have to become a 3D artist overnight. Even simple 3D tools can help you work out angles and perspective before you start drawing.
Working with other people
If you ever work on collaborative projects, it’s worth looking at whether the software allows you to share your work and collaborate with other people.
Real-time collaboration can be especially useful when you’re working with a team or getting feedback from someone else. Instead of sending files backwards and forwards, you can work together more easily.
Plug-ins and extensions
Plug-ins are another thing worth looking into.
Think of them as extra little tools that you can add to your software. Depending on the program, they might give you new brushes, filters, effects or ways of working with other applications.
They aren’t essential, but they can be a great way of expanding your options once you’ve got comfortable with the basics.
Built-in resources
Finally, have a look at what resources come with the software.
Some programs include libraries of textures, templates, patterns, fonts and other design assets.
These can be really useful when you’re starting a new project, particularly when you’re staring at a completely blank canvas and have absolutely no idea where to begin!
Sometimes having a few ready-made resources to play around with is all it takes to get an idea flowing.
The most important thing?
Don’t get too caught up in finding the “perfect” software.
It’s very easy to spend hours comparing features and watching tutorials about different programs instead of actually making art.
Pick something that feels comfortable, learn the basics and start creating. You can always change software later as you figure out what you actually need.
The best digital art software isn’t necessarily the one with the most features. It’s the one that makes you want to sit down and create.