Graphics Forum

**Echo360** · 07-15-2006, 06:59 AM

Hey Im new to web design and I'd like to learn graphics. What image software would you suggest and where can I get it?

**blue-dreamer** · 07-15-2006, 07:31 AM

Amazon is always a good bet for boxed products. As for what software you need. well that's much down to your preferences. The best thing to do is to download trial software and see which one you get on with.

Some popular software:

Photoshop
Paint Shop Pro
Photoimpact

**Echo360** · 07-15-2006, 08:39 AM

Seeing as how I dont have $300 or so for a copy of photoshop, any chance of their being free versions or anything?

**gringo** · 07-15-2006, 10:05 AM

Hi Echo360,

Gimp is free. I've not used it but I know that a lot of people do. http://www.gimp.org/

**blue-dreamer** · 07-15-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo360

Seeing as how I dont have $300 or so for a copy of photoshop, any chance of their being free versions or anything?

Photoshop is very expensive, try looking at Amazon for prices of the other software I mentioned, you should be able to buy either for well under $100.

**Echo360** · 07-15-2006, 11:04 PM

Ok I'm trying to download Gimp for now. I think I'll go with Fireworks. Someone told me its web design specific.

**blue-dreamer** · 07-16-2006, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo360

I think I'll go with Fireworks. Someone told me its web design specific.

It's not "specific" to web design, it just produces files that can be used on the web.

**lord-of-the-rin** · 07-16-2006, 08:37 AM

well the best software for making graphic is photoshop and coral draw

**blue-dreamer** · 07-16-2006, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord-of-the-rin

well the best software for making graphic is photoshop and coral draw

I have to disagree, what works for one person might not work for another. The "best" is a very subjective staement!

**Echo360** · 07-16-2006, 08:29 PM

Ive heard of a Paintshop Pro that runs fairly cheap. Is that any good?

**drewtown** · 07-17-2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echo360

Ive heard of a Paintshop Pro that runs fairly cheap. Is that any good?

Paintshop Pro is alright from my experience, it's not going to have a lot of the power that Photoshop is going to have, but that pretty much is a given considering photoshop is the standard of power. But in recent versions I have really liked paintshop pro, but as other have said make sure you get a trail first.

**Echo360** · 07-17-2006, 02:24 PM

I was thinking about investing in the Macromedia Studio 8 Suite later on.

**TycoDesigns** · 07-19-2006, 09:09 PM

I use Photoshop CS2 and swear by it.

**LadynRed** · 07-20-2006, 04:30 PM

Actually, PaintShopProX is quite powerful and almost up to snuff with Photoshop in many ways. For $99, you can't beat it with a stick for image editing and graphics if you can't afford Photoshop. Another possibility is Adobe Photoshop Elements, also at $99. It has a lot of Photoshop's capabilities but not all. It could certainly do what you need for a web page.

**staigerman** · 08-02-2006, 08:45 PM

so many choices...
there are some which are free, others which are not.
There are some which are great for assembling photos, others more aimed at editing them, and yet others at painting them from scratch.

Check out PD Particles Home - digital painting with particles has never been so much fun!
Project Dogwaffle digital image paint and animation software
friends of project Dogwaffle natural paint software - links, resources and more

**carterdea** · 08-02-2006, 08:53 PM

if you're a student, check out Academic Software, Academic Discount : Academic Superstore : Academic Software savings for students, teachers, & schools

its got really good prices. Or if you just want to get a start take a look at Photoshop elements. Its pretty good.

**b0881** · 08-03-2006, 05:42 AM

You get what you pay for regarding software really, and personally I also swear by Photoshop.