Buying software can be expensive right? A budding artist planning to wet her feet in the realm of the digital arts should be aware of all the options available. Getting the right sketching software is very important.
A good sketching software will use RAM and hardware resources efficiently. It will sync your cursor to your stylus to provide adequate sensitivity. Most importantly, they won’t lag and you’ll be able to draw, paint, edit or sketch however and whenever you want. There is also the image quality and export factor. You want to make sure you get ample file export format options. Equally important is the ability to import different image formats into the application.
Here are the top two sketching software for artists and designers.
Paint Tool Sai: Paint Tool Sai is relatively light on the hardware, consumes the least amount of RAM and is an ultra portable software package. It’s affordable and offers an exhaustive list of customizable features. You get brush tools, ink pens, water pens, blur tools, and so much more. There is a stabilizer option too which lets you decide how fluid the linework will be or how sensitive your stylus pen pressure will be. This can help reduce the lag and over usage of RAM which most digital artists experience.
Additionally, it is lightweight and has a low file size. It won’t consume a lot of disk space either and does not require continual updates or buying yearly subscriptions. Just buy once and you own it outright unlike Photoshop that needs yearly subscriptions in order to continue using its services. Paint Tool Sai is also friendly to those who aren’t tech-savvy.
Photoshop CC 2017: Photoshop CC 2017 is the industry standard for all digital artists. Photoshop comes packed with all the tools you need in order to venture out into the digital arts careers. A seasoned expert or a student will find this software adding depth to their skills.
Photoshop is not just restricted to digital illustration and sketching. It can be used as an image editing software. Photoshop nowadays comes with a frame-by-frame animation timeline. If you want to try your hands on animating, you can do so by using this.
Photoshop can even be used for video editing, although it’s a bit slow compared to other video editing packages. The only downside is that it consumes a lot of the hardware resources. It also requires a bit of tech savviness and studying up in order to use its wide plethora of features. If you look at the big picture, it offers the complete package.
As an artist, your offerings can be hugely influenced by the software you choose to work with. Each software has its own strengths and weaknesses. Try out a few to know which one best suits your needs.
Whether creating digital art, recording music, or editing photos and videos, there is unique software to complete each task. However, the market is filled with hundreds of developers, each offering a range of features for a specific price. And there is always the off chance that one may not be happy with their purchase. So, if you have decided to buy software for your home system, here are ten common mistakes to avoid.
Overspending on features
Every software has numerous standard features, plus optional add-ons for an extra fee. More often than not, the developer’s website will give you several reasons why buying the fully-loaded version is the ideal choice. But you will likely never use some add-on features despite paying more money to unlock them. So, if you are beginning to learn a particular software, spend only on the standard variant. You could eventually pay for additional features as you become more familiar with the tool.
Buying from spurious websites
Every software has a price tag that may occasionally drop during the festive season or on particular sale days. But you may come across a few websites that continually advertise a price too good to be true. These websites may accept your payment but never deliver the software activation code or send one that does not work. So, always check the authenticity of the websites you visit to buy computer programs and avoid those that look suspicious.
Picking the first option
Many people use their search engines to look for the software they need and purchase the first option that shows up on their screens. Remember, links at the top of the results page are often sponsored. So, you might be buying something that does not give you complete value for money. Instead of buying the first product you see, list all the top online retailers selling the software and compare them. Then choose the one that offers the best features for the price.
Rushing the purchase
Just like picking the first option that pops up on the screen, some rush their software purchase because of a time crunch. Doing so may cause you to pay a lot more than you should. So, take enough time to pick software for your needs to ensure you do not overpay for the product. If possible, wait until the holiday season, when retailers drop prices on computer software by a high margin.
Not reading reviews
People often buy software without reading a single review, which is one of the biggest mistakes they could make. Hundreds of customers post ratings and reviews on the internet about their experience with particular software. These posts could cover several factors, including the product’s usability, value for money, and benefits or drawbacks. Reading these online reviews could help you make a more informed decision when buying the software.
Skipping the trial
Another error people make when buying software is not signing up for the trial. Most computer programs offer at least a seven-day trial for users to familiarize themselves with the interface before making a monthly or annual payment. So, do not pay for the tool until you use its trial version to ensure it is the right choice for the tasks you need to complete.
Not checking compatibility
While a particular software may have all the necessary bells and whistles you require, your money might go in vain if you do not check its system compatibility. Each product has different requirements in this aspect. For instance, some may require a certain amount of storage space and RAM to function efficiently, while others may need a specific chipset. So, check if your computer has the basic requirements before buying the software. Doing so will ensure you have the right product.
Making long-term commitments
Many users sign long-term contracts when purchasing software to reduce their subscription fees. However, they fail to consider that their needs might change with time. So, while the software might suit immediate needs, you must assess whether it will still be useful after a few months or a year. If you think your software requirements are temporary, sign up for a monthly package over a yearly subscription.
Going for the lowest-priced deal
You will find many software solutions for the same purpose but at different price points. To save money, users often pick the cheapest product. Doing so leaves them with software that is glitchy and full of bugs. This hampers their overall user experience and compels them to pay more for better tools. So, carefully check the features included in the software along with the price tag to avoid disappointment later.
Not reading the fine print
Besides the software’s features, developers publish terms and conditions and other legal documentation on their websites. Purchasing the program without reading this information could be problematic because many developers list the additional charges in the fine print. The terms and conditions may also mention how users can or cannot use the software and the level of privacy offered. So, you must read the documentation bundled with the software before signing a contract and making the final payment.
Fire inspection software is a valuable and effective tool used by fire inspectors to conduct hazard and safety inspections. The software consists of elements designed to make assessing fire hazards in commercial, residential, and other buildings easier. Good cloud software can help fire inspectors accumulate various data in one place, avoid missing important checks, and cut down the time it takes to input data manually. It also helps one get reports with a single click.
Best fire inspection software
SmartServ
This cloud-based app is compatible with iOS and Android devices. It provides customers with a variety of inspection and on-demand reports that can be accessed and customized on the field using the SmartServ app. The software allows users to create custom checklists or choose from various templates. It offers a simple drag-and-drop function for tasks like scheduling inspections and reassigning assignments. One can also get features like automatic scheduling and auto-reminders for upcoming inspections. Users can monitor technician clock-in and clock-out times, receive real-time inspection updates, and take notes using voice commands. Quotes/estimates and invoices can also be sent to customers via text messages. The application provides monthly and quarterly business reports to users, covering aspects like business performance, revenue information, betting prospects, and team performance. It has a user-based pricing structure, and users can choose between monthly, quarterly, and annual billing plans. SmartServ comes with 24-hour live customer support.
Inspect Point
Inspect Point Software simplifies fire inspection management. It is compatible with iOS and Android devices and offers inspection forms to ensure compliance. Users can schedule and dispatch inspections, get real-time updates on the field, and generate reports within the software. Users can use a single document to send images, comments, and signatures and point out deficiencies to the office right from the field. This fire inspection software allows one to make on-field suggestions and send and receive messages. Users can choose from three price tiers: silver, gold, and platinum, priced between $109 and $139 per month. Users are, however, billed annually, and two technicians or more are required to sign up for the plans. Based on the required frequency of inspections, users can create and plan inspections for a building.
Safety Inspection Software
This safety software provides web-based dashboards. It notifies users via email of upcoming inspections and alerts fire inspectors of deficiencies. Its inspection routes help users understand the layout of a facility. Users can check the history to learn about the date, time, and inspector who oversaw an inspection. One can manage and create forms using the form builder feature and also record the GPS location. This software helps users manage inspection frequency and work offline, saving data on the cloud. Once the connection is restored, the data is automatically uploaded. The tool offers email and phone support and works with any tablet or smartphone. Safety Inspection Software is priced at $18 per user per month.
Streamline Inspections
This fire and community-risk reduction inspection tool comes with many features that make fire inspections easier. It aids in the easy management of inspection data and reports. It also allows customers to create custom fire inspection checklists based on their requirements. The program is also cloud-based, so it can be accessed from anywhere. The app is designed for iOS devices. The software offers features like code enforcement, customer databases, facility management, failed inspection tracking, image capture, and report templates. Users can use the website to share email-based reports, sync their tablets, and upload signatures. It notifies users of inspection locations and helps avoid unnecessary commutes. This program has a flat-rate fee of $2,000 per year.
Life Safety Inspector
The Life Safety Inspector is a cloud-based web platform that enables users to conduct, track, and administer fire inspections. The app provides inspection and report data, aiding in paper waste reduction. It is Windows-compatible and offers features like scheduling, code maintenance, document management, inspection, and photo management all in one place. It inspects systems like fire pumps, kitchen hoods, fire alarms, fire dampers, fire sprinkler systems, and fire doors. Users can get this fire inspection software for their smartphones or tablets and work offline when experiencing a weak Wi-Fi signal. Users can access PDF reports online. It accepts payments monthly or annually.
Things to consider
Here are a few key factors to consider when choosing fire inspection software:
While all of the above are excellent options, one should look for an easy-to-use fire inspection software that meets all their needs. One should list all their requirements, for instance, software that offers smooth inspection management and inspection contract administration. One should also consider the pricing and billing system—annual or monthly billing. The software should also work smoothly on the field and in the office.