can anyone tell me whats the best program to use for making website graphics i was looking into adobe shop but pretty pricey especially if i have to buy a full version, instead of a upgrade. Currently im using gimp but cant nearly keep up with nice looking graphics using this program. Anyone know where i can get a cheap good program for making website graphics or is adobe photoshop a good choice and i should save up? Will adobeshop eventually pay for itself?

Yes Adobe Photoshop is awesome dude I use that program and I also use Adobe Illustrator its also good for making sweet logos and graphics for the web well worth the money believe me you will be impressed, I graduate in 6 months and I will have a bachelors in Graphic and web design, and those are the only programs I use besides flash and dreamweaver, they are awesome, you wont be dissapointed believe me, they will do miracles for you. make you lots of money when you get good with them to.

There are a lot of difference between the basic and full versions of PS, but most people won't notice them. If you buy a scanner or digital camera, there's a good chance it comes with Photoshop Elements. That's one route.

You can download a 30 day trial of the latest Photoshop ( CS 2, although 3 is in beta ) from Adobe's site to decide whether it's worth the price to you. Keep in mind that the learning curve is pretty steep, though.

But I love Photoshop.

It depends on the kind of graphics I want, and how much time I have. If I have basically time enough to use something that is very advanced. I do use Illustrator. But if my time is limited, i'll slam into Fireworks 8. As its easy to throw out gradient, and we'll enhanced buttons and effects. Just a quick little program.

am using Adobe Illustrator alone to create a simple plain website theme.. but am using both Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create high quality webgraphics, specially flash based websites.

i use pure photoshopre cs2!!!! its quick especially for web graphics! slicing, gradients, shapes, coloring etc.

You can also search ebay where people often sell their copy of earlier versions of the software at substantially reduced prices. If you've just started working with photoshop, you would do quite alright even with version 7.

There are lots of very good alternatives from the Adobe range like PhotoImpact and Paint Shot Pro - these have been around for years and have developed into mature image creating/editing tools at a fraction of the price.

Best thing you can do is download some demos and try the software to see which one you get on with. Just because "everyone" seems to use a particular product it's no reason to follow the crowd!

Photoshop, Fireworks....

PSP, GIMP..

But, the most important things are: good idea, imagination and knowing the tools You use!

Got ten bucks?

PhotoImpact 5

It may be old, but it includes a lot of features that others sell as addons.

If you want to try something free, check out MAGIX Photo Clinic. It will take photoshop compatible plugins and can edit psd files as well; but it is full freeware.

i use:
Photoshop - raster images / elements
Illustrator - vectorial images / elements
Fireworks - section of web / simple web animations
After Effect - web animations
Flash - web animations
Maya - 3d animations-images / intros / elements
Selteco - simple web animations
Power Point - (web) presentations
Excel - tables / actions
..and few more

all programs is used for what the client require you
and all programs offer you a easy way to complete that

I use paint (lol) but I have heard from many that Photoshop is the way to go... Just bought it and now I am starting to learn it -- Man that is one powerful tool. I am thinking that it is worth the money so save up and buy!