I say Photoshop too.
I only tried it out instead of buying it, but it was cool. (I need to get it)
Paint.NET Rocks, but it cannot handle the Alpha Channels for the DDS files, whic is needed for the Specular textures in X10.
GIMP is supposed to be all that, but as mentioned before it is hard to learn, and not very user friendly. (I thought so anyway)
While some people argue that the others can do what Photoshop can; I challenge them to open the _S file for the Alien Segment with them.
If you plan to use X10 then get photoshop, because it can handle all the textures now, and who knows when the others will get a plug-in.
The price is the main factor here.
GIMP = Free
Paint.NET = Free
Photoshop = $600+
I am using Paint.NET for my v1.xx stuff, but as I said before, I really need to get Photoshop for X10.
Quote: "
Everyone should look to score Photoshop on ebay. You can save a lot of money that way. "
Yeah I tried that before, and I won the auction for like $60 or $70 or so. (oh I was so happy and excited...woohoo)
All I got was some kid selling me a KEYGEN to crack the password. (probably a trojan inside it too)
By the time eBay figured out he was a scammer, I had already paid him. (I pay as soon as auction ends)
So, they deleted his auction's post and sent me an email saying not to pay him. (2 or 3 days after the fact)
Good luck with the eBay approach. I recommend buying a retail version so you can register it in your name proper.