by Xebinon » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:26 pm
If you want something about as powerful as Photoshop for free (legally, even) try GIMP, the GNU Image Manipulation Program, at gimp.org. That's what I use, in Linux, for all my graphics work. The official version is released as source code, but there is a simple Windows installer for the less technical types. There aren't any multi-DVD step-by-step guides and "for Dummies" books about it, but GIMP has been around long enough that you shouldn't have too much trouble finding some guides on the web to help with the terminology and figuring out how it works.
Do not try to think outside the box, for that is impossible. Simply realize the truth; there is no box.