@ AHawk -- we have those training wheels -- a whole boatload of tutorials. Like the original poster was advised - look around at examples of maps made with tool X ( tool CC3, tool FT) and see if you like the results. Then look up tuts that relate to the specific package you want. Some tools are close enough you can use a tutorial intended for a different one - with some creative bending and interpretation, some have applied Photoshop tuts to the Gimp, for instance. Won't be a perfect match, and some methods are tough
to translate.

At some point, you just have to buy the bicycle, and try it out! At least FT, CC3, Serif's PhotoPlus and DrawPlus, and some others are reasonably priced - won't kill most of us to try. If you see effects you "need" Photoshop for ... ehh, yeah, that's buying a whole car, so you want to be pretty sure it'll suit you. Really, from what users say, the Gimp can do about anything you would want PS to do, just in sometimes differing ways.... its price is certainly no barrier (free!), only the learning curve might give you pause. On the other hand, if you have use for some heavy-duty graphics capability for work or play or both, PhotoShop will sure take you everywhere you want to go - same large learning curve, of course.

Tell us what you want to do, and we'll help you find some training wheels and an appropriate bike!