What is a good image design program?

[benmax]

Hi,

First off, let me state that I am a complete art moron.

So, I am looking for an application of some kind that is easy to use just for creating things like a toolbar at the top of a website. A simple red toolbar with white letters. Any suggestions? Any ideas are much appreciated!

Thanks,
Ben

[Brett_Tabke]

Start at some of the larger download sites that have html editor archives. Download.com, Tucows, etc. Most of us around here still prefer to code by hand, and only use an editor if it's crunch time.

[Robert Charlton]

Ben - If it's a basic graphics and image-editing program you're looking for, you might want to check out Paint Shop Pro from Jasc software, at www.jasc.com -- You can download a 30-day demo, and I think the program is still less than $100.

[mivox]

I've heard lots of good things about Paint Shop Pro and Macromedia Fireworks, but never used either.

I swear by Adobe PhotoShop, but if you just want to do simple web graphics, it would be overkill (and very expensive).

[agerhart]

>>>I swear by Adobe PhotoShop>>>>>

I would have to agree....it's the only one for me

[rogerd]

Fireworks is very full-featured and integrates nicely with Dreamweaver for things like sliced images, buttons, and navigation bars. I'm pretty sure the trial version is full-featured for 30 days - check www.macromedia.com for details.

Note that there is a learning curve associated with the more powerful programs. If you are used to a paint program with a few line, shape, and fill commands, you'll find a program like Fireworks to have awesome power - but it will take a bit of playing to figure out how to do the things you need.

[littleman]

This [cgi-fun.hypermart.net] was made in about 30 seconds with The GIMP [gimp.org].

[benmax]

Hey thanks everyone for the help and the suggestions! I am up on my html, just when it comes to art, I mine as well be blind hehe

I will try what I've heard here. I've used Adobe Photoshop, but it usually takes me as long to look up what I need to do in a book as it does to get anything done. Thanks again everyone and have a good one!

Ben

[skibum]

Definately agree on Photoshop and Fireworks. For animation, my favorite gif animator is Ulead. It's about 50 bucks, IMO, the best on the market for that sole purpose.

[alexjc]

I find Photoshop very good for its layers support, and the wide range of filters. But if you want to do anything simple, it gets ridiculously tedious! So i usually use Paint Shop Pro to make the basic shapes and text, then copy over to Photoshop for final touches...

I'm looking forward to PSP 7!

[minnapple]

Photoshop has a lite version for about $100.00

It is the program used by most professional graphic artists.

Knowing it adds significant value to any resume.

ma

[knighty]

I would strongly reccomend Fireworks it is by far the best program for creating optimised web graphics it is extremely powerful and quick.

Photoshop is fine for editing photos etc but not too hot on creating quick web type stuff.

I have used Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop etc for about 2 years, I still do use Photoshop - just not for web graphics. I LOVE Fireworks i could give you a ton of reasons why it is so flippin fantastic but don't want to bang on too much.

and no I dont work for Macromedia ;)

[mivox]

not too hot on creating quick web type stuff

Having taken the time to develop a bunch of 'personal shortcuts' and collect a bunch of handy add-on filters, I've got no problem turning out quick web gfx with PhotoShop, and I have heard good reviews of PhotoShop Elements (their 'consumer'/lite version).

That said, most PhotoShop filters also work with PSP...

[JonB]

for web i use dreamweaver - for graphics i use adobe imagestyler! VERY easy and you can do great things with it.Adobe is not making this product anymore - they have live-something but i have not tried it yet.

I tried photoshop and PSP but it is either that i am too stupid or i dont have right plugins.

Yes, are there any great WEB design(especially for text) plugins ?

BTW, if there is anyone who knows where to get additional imagestyler styles,shapes etc pelase post the link or sticky e-mail me :)

Jon

[mivox]

WEB design(especially for text) plugins

Only if you're writing or editing HTML code by hand... there's an HTML validating plug-in/shareware program called HTMLTidy (I think). Doesn't sound like what you're looking for though.

The newer Adobe program you're thinking of is probably LiveMotion... don't know much about it, except that my ex-husband says it's great. :) Never used ImageStyler either, so I can't help you much there... :( Anyone else have experience with it?

[seth_wilde]

Adobe actually has two products (that I know of) that include live.

LiveMotion = Adobe's version of Flash
GoLive = Adobe's version of dreamweaver

[JonB]

i think they replaced it with livemotion. I tried Golive but i dont like it-DW is still king for me although i have versin 2 and there is version 4 available.

here is something about imagestyler:
[adobe.com...]

Really love this products.if only i could have more styles.

Mivox - i was thinking about text plugin that does this: you write text and then apply some effects on it: bewel,ouline and some other crazy stuff(i want more than 10 most common effects :)

Jon

[mivox]

write text and then apply some effects on it

Ahh... I like BladePro. It'll do good chrome/gold/metallic effects, as well as glass, mirror finish, etc. However, it takes a lot of tinkering to get exactly the effect you're looking for. I know it works with PS and PSP. Shareware, worth the $$. The "10 basic effects" are pretty well covered in PhotoShop's "layer effects" palette...

I can't think of any text-only filters off-hand though. I'm one of those people who's perfectly happy to spend an hour or more working on getting a custom effect just right (which drives some folks up a wall ;) ), so my use of plug-ins is pretty limited.

I know there are some out there though... try a Google search for: photoshop text effect filter plugin and you'll probably find a ton of PhotoShop/Paint Shop Pro plugins available for any price from free to $100+ each.

[click watcher]

i would suggest all ulead products they are very user friendly for the non artistic, plus they have a load of ready built stuff that you can adapt, also things like xara webstyle, the same in that there are ready made objects you can adapt to your purpose... also all these suggestions are cheap to buy.

my experience is that if you lack artistic talent (like me) then using the premier apps like photoshop, fireworks etc will not produce good results

[Rumbas]

Littleman, took GIMP for a test drive and was very impressed. It has just the thing I need doing quick logos and banner-like stuff.
I'll keep it installed for a while - thanks for the link ;)