is the name of a
Raster Graphics Software package used to create natural-looking artistic images using a
Computer . Originally available on the
Macintosh , it is now also available for
Windows . Using a
Graphics Tablet , the user is able to create remarkably realistic images freehand, with the package simulating a wide range of classical effects such as
Watercolor and
Oil Paint s, as well as a wide range of unique effects and filters. Resulting imagery can be printed on any printable media including paper or canvas.
Painter was initially developed for the
Macintosh system by
Mark Zimmer and
Tom Hedges , founders of the
Fractal Design Corporation . Zimmer and Hedges had previously developed ImageStudio and ColorStudio, both image-editing applications, for
Letraset . John Derry joined Zimmer and Hedges during the release cycle of Painter 1.2. Derry had gained previous paint software expertise at Time Arts, a developer of the early desktop-based paint applications Lumena and Oasis. ''Fractal Design'' later merged with
RayDream , then with
MetaTools to become
MetaCreations . Metacreations sold off all their creative interests and Painter was acquired by
Corel Corporation where it was temporarily rebranded "Procreate" Painter during its transition into the Corel Suite of applications. Painter is now wholly owned and marketed by Corel.
Painter had two companion applications. A vector-based natural media twin called
Fractal Design Expression , and a scaled-down version of Painter developed for beginners called
Art Dabbler . After the Corel acquisition, Corel Art Dabbler 2 was reintroduced as
Corel Painter Essentials , now in its third incarnation. The much evolved Expression application is today known as
Microsoft Expression Design and is available as a part of the
Microsoft Expression Studio suite.
In 2007 Corel released version Painter X, which was at first available in a limited edition paint can, a nod to the packaging for early releases of the software.
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