What was your first bout with using computer graphics like?

[Paul LeBlanc]

 As I explained on another thread...
 The first time I ever went to use Inkscape, I downloaded it (I didn't know about repos then, and I was using Fedora core 7)

 anyway, I downloaded it from inkscapes website, extracted the zip file and then could not find it.....
 I never asked anyone for help as I was way to embarrassed
 To this day I still have kno idea where it wound up
 I tried over n over, n over... so at that time... I ust have had about 6 different areas where that file was placed

 and don't even ask me what has happened to all the apps I've wanted to try, but require you to compile, etc... (cuz I am still clueless when it comes to that shhh...tuff to this very day)

 So.... what was your first experience like?

[freddyp]

My first go with graphics was with Gimp many moons ago, long before I even knew about Linux. Gimp was a little more difficult to use back then and I remember downloading various  chunks from all over their website until I got it all(and that was the windows version). I finally got it installed and opened it up and thought it was still incomplete, you know, the tiny little window with a few buttons on it. I remember staring at it thinking "this is a powerful graphic manipulation program?"

 It's much easier to get today and the fact that it comes with every Linux distro is a true testament to its quality. I can thank Gimp for what I do today because it was the first graphic program I ever used and has given the spark to venture into other aspects of graphics.

[ruel24]

A disaster... LOL!

Seriously, I bought a couple of applications for my Mac back in the day, Photoshop 3.0, Painter, and some others and they were expensive.  I just had an interest, and at the time everything that could do 32 bit color was expensive, so I splurged. I could barely do anything at all with that stuff. I could doctor some photographs with mixed results but not much more. I wasted a lot of money. Later, I got a copy of Photoshop 7 and learned a bit more, but still couldn't do much more than what the app could do for me with just a few clicks. It wasn't until I began using Gimp more that I actually learned to work the tools. With Gimp, results required more work so it forced me to learn. I took up Inkscape just last year and now it's my favorite app of all, since most of what I do is wallpapers, logos, icons, etc..

[sawer]

Started with Corel Draw V4 I was also VERY new to computers, my kids called me crash, it was disaster for awhile. I used Corel until just recently when I've been switching to Linux only apps, not a big deal now that I sort of understand how vector programs work. I've never do much in a paint program but use Cine paint when I need that kind of program.

[ruel24]

Way, way back in the day...I modeled my Apple IIGS on a graphics program for it, and it was remarkably close to the real thing. I even shocked myself. Those were the days of paint programs (before Photoshop). I can't even remember the name of the app, but the IIGS was only capable of displaying something like 4 true or 16 dithered colors at once.

Later, I bought a Mac clone (PowerComputing) and used Photoshop 3.0 and Painter. I couldn't do much with either, except play with some filters and doctor some pics a little. Then, I got Photoshop 7 for the PC and got more familiar with it, but Gimp was the true learning ground for me. It did less for me as far as capabilities, so I had to do things the hard way and it forced me to look at what it took to accomplish the task. I took up Inkscape last year and use it more than anything.

[Digitante]

Ha. Well actually, my first direct experience with computer graphics was writing programs in "Color Basic" for the TRS-80 Color Computer back in  about 1982. It's unlikely that I could even remember the names of all the programs I've used since then. 

I have to say that even the worst interface I use today is way better than having to write a whole new BASIC program for every drawing!

[MeeMaw]

I got my first PC in 1995 (makes me a true noob, right?) and experimented with a program called PC Paintbrush (I think that's the name.) It had more tools than the regular Paint in Win3.1.......  it's what I used to "morph" my rose (my avatar.)
Since then I've been doing more layout than actual art design (I'm the one-person newsletter staff at my job) so I'm wanting to start learning loads from everyone!!!!!