Tested version - v2.0.1
Price - Free, ad supported (single closable window) no malware in version tested (or ever heard of). Or an ad-free version for $39.99 on Steam (ironically).
Notes - The software Terms of Service is found on the download page (half-way down the page).
Systems - Windows Vista/7/8.1/10, Mac OS X 10.7
Official website - http://firealpaca.com
If you are wondering what are the Differences Between FireAlpaca vs MediBang Paint Pro then read my post.
Raster or Vector - Raster
It did not install any malware or such on my PC, just a internal FireAlpaca program window when it starts. The window is nothing more than image links that loads a image and clickable link from their website.
If however you feel closing a single window automatically is worth $39.99, plus installing Steam software that is always running on your PC (their licensing), it is an alternative.
Ease Of Use - Surprising simple to get started. Officially they have a online tutorial section that covers many topics. A quick search online or on YouTube will find help as well. Also has a large devoted fan base of users making it easier to find custom materials (brushes /scripts /etc) and learn the more advanced features. Have a look at these direct links on Pinterest, DeviantArt, and Tumblr too.
All software is subjective to hardware installed, so with that in mind here is my current workhorse PC (A updated HP Z200 Workstation) specs I used for testing with all updated drivers...
CPU - Intel Core i5 CPU 660 @ 3.33GHz (2 Cores, 4 Threads)
Memory - 12 GB DDR3 total
Graphics - EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti SC (Superclocked GM107) 1 GB (DDR5 memory)
Space - 2.5 TB hard drive disk space
System - Windows 8.1 Pro
Program Speed - Likely the fastest loading program I've tested. Even creating images tabloid sized (11" x 17" at 600 dpi) it loads nearly instantly, and brushes are lag free.
Noticeable Lag - The only thing that seems to have any lag is the fill Bucket tool, which seems to be common with most software.
The page is strictly created in RGB, and does not offer CMYK support.
The options are Output (Color (32bpp) /Grayscale (8bpp) /Monochrome 2 tone (2bpp)), Force black or white as a layer color, Exclude text layers, and Rasterize area is enabled only if the menu View -> Show comic guide lines is on and includes (Finish line /Bleed /Trim marks).
After clicking Ok it will output the artwork to a new single layer image, which you can then save.
File Formats -
- Open - MDP (FileAlpaca), PNG, JPG /JPEF (JPEG), BMP (Bitmap), GIF, PSD (Photoshop Document)
- Save - MDP (FileAlpaca), PNG, JPG /JPEF (JPEG), BMP (Bitmap), PSD (Photoshop Document)
Plug-in Support - No.
* I made various default docked windows into floating ones for clearer defined screenshots, for example the layer screenshot below.
The Layer property offers re-Naming the layer, Draft layer, Effect (None /Watercolor edge /Watercolor edge (cloudy)), and effect Size if effect is enabled.
The other option is a single color palette that saves automatically, and is shown the same in any image (no unique palettes). Using it is rather simple and clicking Add color brings up the Edit color window that allows you to enter a description name shown during mouse palette hovering. The window can also be accessed by double-clicking a palette color to edit it.
* The palette Edit color window is able to use standard HTML style HEX color codes too, which is not available in the regular Color area window (just RGB).
Along the top near the menu are the remaining Brush options (2nd image) which are type (Freehand /Line /Polyline /Polygon /Rectangle /Ellipse /Curve), Anti-aliasing, Correction (smooths graphic tablet and mouse lines), and Soft edge.
The Brush window (1st image) shows the brushes available, the Pen brush is selected and shows the size in red 8.5 as the size is not the default brush size (15). Besides the list of available brushes, along the bottom are the options Add brush, Add brush (Bitmap), Add brush (Script), Add brush group, Duplicate brush, and Delete brush.
To learn about making brushes see their tutorial here; however, the real power of brushes is in LUA programming scripts - see their translated tutorial, or a fan made 8 part tutorial.
Common Necessities - Other tools that are primarily tools, and is surprising lacking in some software making it necessary to include them briefly.
Paint Fill - While simple in options it works better than many other bucket fill tools. Options are Reference (Canvas /Layer), Anti-aliasing, and Expand pixel (0 /1 /2 /3) - selecting Expand 1 pixel fills in pen outlines without gaps.
Eraser - Using the Eraser tool or a Brush eraser is the same. Options are type (Freehand /Line /Polyline /Polygon /Rectangle /Ellipse /Curve), Anti-aliasing, Correction (smooths graphic tablet and mouse lines), and Soft edge.
Image Zoom - Onscreen buttons in the Navigator, shortcut controls, menu controls, and Fit to window size. Zoom in/out is default on the mouse scroll wheel. Zoom range 1% to 6400%
View Rotate - Onscreen buttons in the Navigator, keyboard shortcut controls (Left and Right Arrow keys), menu controls, and can be rotated at any single angle. In File -> Environment Setting the rotation amount can be adjusted to 15 /30 /45 /90. Also available is the option to flip the image horizontally (Down arrow key).
Selection Tools - Select tool (Rectangle /Ellipse /Polygon), Lasso, and Magic wand - and all have varying options.
Window options include Font name, Text size with numerical input /drop down list /minus and /plus button, Size in Pt (points) or Pixels, Anti-aliasing, Text spacing (kerning), Line spacing (leading), Align text (Left /Center /Right), Styles (Bold /Italic /Strikethrough), and Text color.
The most obvious ones are the various Snap rulers that are selectable when you have the Brush tool. Near the top main menu they are Off, Parallel, Crisscross, Vanishing point, Radial, Circle, Curve, 3D perspective (see tutorial), and Snap setting (black dot).
To change the starting point of the Snap rulers click the ruler you want, then click the Snap setting (black dot), and simply move your mouse to where you want it and click. When you are done with a Snap ruler click the Off button. Also if a Snap ruler is import to your artwork, you can save it by clicking the menu Snap -> Save snap, and it will be saved in your current page only (to turn it on go to the menu Snap and at the bottom your saved snaps will be listed).
The multiple images of Dopefish (in image 3 above) is using Onion Skin, which is part of the animation tools. See the official animation tutorial for all animation aspects.
To set it up, first you should add a New layer to your image to hold the panel lines. Then access the comic guides from the main menu View -> Comic guide line settings. The main comic panel is drawn inside touching the Safe line, so adjust the size in the window and click Ok. If you need help setting it up, turn on the comic guides to see where there are, which is View -> Show comic guide lines.
To add the Comic panel in the main menu select Layer -> Add panel material (2nd image above). You will then get a window to set the Line width, and Border color - set them and click Ok.
Now you should see the main comic panel drawn on your image. Using the panel Divide tool (SHIFT + O) click outside the border, and move it across the panel where you want it to split all the way across, beyond the other panel side. By default it will divide the panel horizontally and vertically, if you need to do it from an angle hold the SHIFT key and draw the line across the panel (some angles near corners can not be created).
The panel gaps made by the Divide tool are adjustable, by the options near the main menu area. Adjusting the "Kerning" amount changes the vertical gap in panels, and the "Leading" amount changes the horizontal gap in panels (backwards to text usage of the words). Both are in millimeter size by default but can be switched to Pixel as well.
Extras - In the status bar the relative mouse position (X and Y values) is shown in parenthesis which can help in measuring distances or setting up guides - as there is no page ruler. The other tools not mentioned are the Grid and Pixel grid (under the View menu).
Pros -
- A feature packed program for comics/manga/cartoon work (Text tool aside)
- Docked tools/windows - I really dislike floating tools, and hate multiple windows.
- Nearly no program lag with mouse or graphics tablet - using many sizes, resolutions, and tools.
- Even at maximum page sizes new images are created nearly instantly - and overall just as lag free.
- Free software, with a single internal ad window that you close.
- Nearly instant program start/load times, and really quick overall. Very stable and error free program, without a single problem.
- Many options tucked out of the way, and Brushes can be made with custom scripts (LUA programming) 8 part tutorial.
- Quick powerful rulers that are easy to use and setup.
- Output in Color (32bpp), Grayscale (8bpp), or Monochrome 2 tone (2bpp) - when the finished artwork is first Rasterized (File -> Rasterize).
- The Layer Panel tool to create custom panels is really great.
- The limiting Text tool (see the section above).
- Ad-supported (single ad, but still an ad).
- Single color Palette, although customizable.
- No CMYK color mode.
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