Create images for website

[coan.net]

My wife had in the past enjoyed working with images and such, but has been "out of it" for awhile now - but is trying to get back into it.

Question: Can I have some suggestions for what software packages are considered good to create images to be used in websites?

Is Photoshop good, or should we look at something else?

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

[IanS]

You might want to look at GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/) a free alternative. It probably doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Photoshop, but is quite good.

[tpoynton]

I've read that Gimpshop is so close to photoshop that you can even follow photoshop tutorials. I tried using it on my mac, though, and failed. Gimp for the mac leaves a little to be desired, as it needs to run through X11...whatever that is.

I use Fireworks, which I am pretty sure doesnt exist any longer.

I've also heard good things about paint.net (getpaint.net), but again have not used it.

[Autoload]

I've been using fireworks for years. It still exists.

[satis]

I use The Gimp mostly, but I also use Photoshop. After years of using the Gimp because it's free, it's hard to switch entirely to Photoshop... they both have their advantages. I actually even use mspaint for some basic stuff.

[Croc Hunter]

MS Paint!!! You're a brave man indeed to admit that in public. Photoshop was is and will be for a long time the best image creation/manipulation tool available. I've used all the above and many others like Irfanview (free). Photoshop Is not good it's great.

[Mindgraphx]

If you are serious, you HAVE to invest in Photoshop! its the best out there

[coan.net]

Thanks for all the input - I have already downloaded GIMP and will work with that some. Will look into purchasing Photoshop.... and will look into the Adobe Creative Suite - which also includes Fireworks.

Personally - on my PC right now, I still use Microsoft PhotoDraw 2000 v2 - it's what I learned how to do everything on, and even though Microsoft discontinued it soon after - I still use it..... but along with my wife getting back into it, I hope to try to "force" myself into a updated program.... but as most know - it is hard to try to start using something new once you know everything about the old.

[rainbore]

There are several less expensive alternatives to Photoshop that are well-suited to those who don't need the sophistication that program provides. You can even start with Photoshop Express, which is aimed primarily for people who want to work with their own digital photos but has some pretty good drawing features as well. If you also work with video, Adobe has a great bundle that includes Photoshop Express and Premiere Express.

I started out many years ago with ULead Photoimpact because I found an older version on CD for about $10.00. That program is still a mainstay for me and has lots of built-in tools for creating web objects. Another popular program in the same class is Corel Paint Shop Pro, which started out as shareware and grew into probably the most popular inexpensive graphic packages you'll find. Both have trial versions available.

[satis]

I started out using Paint Shop Pro a long time ago, when it was owned by Jasc. Very good, inexpensive (shareware!) and was compatible with some photoshop stuff. The Gimp I think is an upgrade, as is Photoshop. My preferences for Photoshop stem from some of the very cool tools it provides. However, some things the Gimp does better, like selections. Do a rectangular selection in the Gimp for crop purposes one time... it provides handles so you can readjust the selection manually after it's been made. If Photoshop has that capability, it's eluded me.

I've also used Adobe Illustrator for some things and it's pretty neat as well. I just downloaded Inkscape (open source equivalent) but haven't used it enough to say how well it compares.

In my opinion, in a few more revisions the Gimp will be better than Photoshop.

[Builder]

However, some things the Gimp does better, like selections. Do a rectangular selection in the Gimp for crop purposes one time... it provides handles so you can readjust the selection manually after it's been made.

Just an FYI -- IrfanView has the same capability.

Kevin

[Croc Hunter]

Yeah Gimp and Irfanview are great for free. I really liked Paintshop Pro tubes and Animation Shop (well before Photoshop bundled ImageReady) features, so impressed I emailed a suggestion Jasc produce Anim Shop as a stand alone. They said no way, so I made my own. Didn't Corel buy out Photoshop then Macromedia bought Corel or something like that? I haven't seen adjustable rectangular selection boxes is Photoshop either but it would be cool.