Best Graphics Software?

[Shane]

Vote for the best graphics software in your opinion and tell us why you voted! ;)

For me it has to be Macromedia Fireworks because its a qucik and easy to use, feature rich program that can export images in a whole different range of formats as well as exporting them as html/websites.

It can create soem very clever synamic CSS menus o-the-fly and also have an array of other useful stuff such as batch editing of existing images and hundreds of available plugins, most of which are free.

[Ben]

Start > All Programs > Accessories > ...you know where i'm going

lol only messing, although it is underrated for usefulness when it comes to basic picture editing. very basic, mind. lol

[Shane]

Its not meant for picture editing at all really but it is graphics software so I am adding it to the poll!

[Mattimadhead]

Photoshop no one appreiciates it and especialy with the new release of CS2 which means you can send your images and creations into the macromedia suite as adobe and macromedia have teamed up XD i want it!!!!!!

[NATAL!E]

I voted Photoshop. I haven't used many of the others, and at the moment, I haven't got Photoshop, and I miss it a lot.

It was useful for photo editing to making stuff. Haha..

[~Wayne~]

Main one I can use well is photoshop so I'd say that. But for easy and efficient formatting gotta be paint :p

[AgentGirl]

Adobe Photoshop all the way. Why? You can do almost anything with it and just gives you smooth effects. Paint Shop Pro is OKAY. It's more of a beginners software, which I started with myself. It's not that bad. But Adobe got it going on. :]

[Ben]

i've voted fireworks, although i've only just started using it i think from the work i've seen before, it produces the best results.

paint wasn't meant for very much really, it's best for bitmaps, like screenshots.

i did edit a photo in paint once, i patched up the whole in my mate's t-shirt on a group photo. couldn't tell it had been modified! well good!

when i first started making sites in plain html, i made all my buttons in paint, simple. most buttons on sites look 3D and often have a different picture displayed when you hover over them (often to enhance the 3D effect).

[CraigYohn!]

I vote none of them.

Maybe Photoshop, but theres loads of stuff not listed that I use :/

[LukeEv_17]

i prefer fireworks followed by corel

[Asi9ine]

Photoshop. I like Fireworks and all, but if I want to make a simple graphic, I would rather use that program.

[Notebook]

I've only used Paint and Paint Shop Pro outta that list. PSP is good for what I need :-)

[LukeEv_17]

does anyone use corel rave?

[gprime]

I didn't vote in the poll. The thing is, as much as I suck at graphics, over the next bit, I'll be working to improve my skills. And the tools used aren't really reflected above. I use Paint.net and Inkscape. Once I master those, I'll start working with Blender.

[Shane]

I now only ever use Flash MX, Fireworks MX and Corel Graphics Suite.

I need to use Corel for Higher Resolution work when printing. - It's no where near as good as the Macromedia/Adobe Software.

[bulldogg]

ya flash MX is used by me on a day to day basis, fireworks in not so keen on though

[Porcelain]

Photoshop. Fireworks is okay, but I've never really used it to actually make graphics, more for the html side of things. Whenever I've used Fireworks, I've pasted something from PS in, so yeah. I use Frontpage for html because it's simple, and Laura likes simple. :p

I love Photoshop, you can do so much with it, and it's fairly easy to use too. Also, 'cause it's so widely used, there are billions of tutorials out there to help! =]

[ib0b]

Has anyone here paid for Photoshop? It retails for ~700USD. Even if you can get a special discount at a university, that is not worth it when you can use

pixbie
photo filtre
paint.net
gimp

and other programs to exceed the functionality of Photoshop for free.

[KathyN]

Photoshop!!!!!

[ib0b]

3D Studio MAX!!!!!

[Matty]

someone wana hook me up with a free version of macromedia dreamweaver and Fireworks? Pretty please?

[CraigYohn!]

bye bye Macromedia lol

[ib0b]

someone wana hook me up with a free version of macromedia dreamweaver and Fireworks? Pretty please?

I wonder if you are male or female, because the picture seems femanine and the name seems like that of a male.

By free version do you mean shared version as in downloading it for free from someone else? The best way to share files is to use a "file sharing program" aka peer-to-peer (p2p) client. I have found nothing lacking in eMule, which can be found at www.emule-project.com/download. I prefer to download the "Binaries" (all that means is you don't have to install it; you run the program from wherever you want on your computer), but the installer works just as well. The sourcefiles are for programmers (if the sourcecode is useful to you then you would know exactly what they are).

Emule is a free file sharing program with no ads. Many times you will find the file you are looking for in a second from starting the search. Emule has just about every file you can want. It is easy to use and to figure out how to use. Even if you know nothing about computers you can probably just download it and figure it out on your own. If you want to know the (easy-to-figure-out) basics , then read the short guide I made (below).


The guide is in this color.

1. Go to the website www.emule-project.com and then the download page.

2. Select Binaries OR Installer (click on one). Then select a "mirror" (press one of the "Download" buttons on the right side; it can be faster to select a location that is closer to you, but any mirror should work).

3. Press Save and choose where you want the file.

4. Run the [I]installer and pretty much keep pressing OK.

If you downloaded the binaries, open (extract) them and open the folder where you just extracted it. Then press the donkey icon (eMule or eMule.exe) to run the program. The files you download will then go to the Incoming folder, which is in the same folder as the eMule application is in.

5. When the program is running (after first opening it and doing the configuration; just keep pressing OK on all the options except if you know your connection speed then select it), press Connect. You must be connected to a server (which coordinates who has what files) to do anything useful (Download, Search for, and Upload files). There should be grey rectangles that say the server name, ip address, max users, etc. Although any server will work, you may have better chances of finding a file if you connect to the server with the most files. Press on the grey thing that is titled Files to sort from greatest to least amount. In general it is best to connect to the server with the most files.

6. After connecting to a server, Click on the magnifying glass at the top that says Search. Select Global Search as the Method. Then press Search. Press More (if available) to continue searching after the search has already finished.

7. Press the long grey rectangles to sort the results by different things. The more sources (how many people you can download the file from) there are, the more likely you will get the file quicker; If you know the file is big then you can sort by file size; etc. Double click a file to download it. It should change color. Then go to Transfers (at the top by the magnifying glass) if you want to see how fast it is being downloaded and how much of the file you have.

Don't download things that you're supposed to pay for though. Any problems just look at the help files or ask here. Also, there is one called eMule Plus but I like the other one more, and there is really no need for the program to be different (it's practically perfect I guess).

[Hyper_dranzer]

By FAR its photoshop.Sorry for the lack of unnecesary modesty but truly,I've made some stunning signatures and wallpapers with it.

[ib0b]

The Colours Of The Rainbow is a tool for finding the best colors. You have to have Opera (www.opera.com) (Internet browser), which I think is the best, to use it because it was written for use in it. I used to use Firefox, Internet Explorer, MSN Explorer, and Maxthon (for different purposes) but Opera (mostly) replaces all of them.

Here should be a video (if you press on it) of the program that is good for finding nice colors.

new#03.avi (http://www.zippyvideos.com/1595525575766126/new03/)

http://i2.zvhost.com/2/b/b865z42v.jpg (http://www.zippyvideos.com/1595525575766126/new03/)

http://www.zippyvideos.com/1595525575766126/new03/new#03.avi

[InsaneSharpie]

I like photoshop because it has way more features then neother and it is widely used

[blinkmebaby182]

deffinately hav 2 be photoshop!!
very versitile and user friendly (once u get the hang ov it!)
i have it at home n used it all the time at school!!!!!

[Nintendus]

I am a GIMP user; I am part of the small group who believes that everything done in Photoshop can be done in the GIMP; it is just less documnted currently, and has different methods for doing them.

Especially with the increased functionality of the layer effects plug-in. To use GIMP you have to be prepared to put more effort in, to get photoshop results. I am at the stage where I pass off as a good photoshop user, and I am often mistaken for a photoshop user. I just can't justify the price tag.

That being said the student versions is much cheaper; does anyone know what qualifies as a student for software; I assume you have to be at college/unerversity level?

As for the coding part I do most of that in notepad, or a similar program with code hylighthing. Although I find it makes little difference. For some reason I just feel more in control of the code that way; so it is personal preferance.

[Shane]

I do all my coding in notepad but I still use Fireworks for my Graphics Work.

I tried GIMP once, I know how to use it fine but I did not really like it, guess it's just down to preference and what your used to.

[Nintendus]

I should be getting a copy of PS soon (Legally of course).

[Shane]

Cool, we need to start psoting up tutorials and shite. LOL

[Nintendus]

Cool, we need to start psoting up tutorials and shite. LOL
I've written plenty for the GIMP before, so I will definately post some photoshop ones.

[Shane]

I've written plenty for the GIMP before, so I will definately post some photoshop ones.
Okay, sounds cool, we could maybe utilize the currently offline articles section for this stuff. :)

[Nintendus]

Okay, sounds cool, we could maybe utilize the currently offline articles section for this stuff. :)
Seems like as good a idea as any to me. It is also a good way to boost traffic, if the tutorials are submitted to pixel2life and the like.

[Shane]

Yeah, should be good. I'll try and get around to writing a few before the year ends, :)

[Dahlia]

My vote is photoshop, its pretty good and does about anything. Gimp is next in line for my pick, its pretty much like photoshop

[Wen1992]

Any ways, vote photoshop or die, no one can resist it's awesome paint brushes. Too expensive though

[Shane]

Fireworks is exactly like Photoshop these days since Adobe now own it. Excpet it has better vector Pen functions and is easier to use.

[Kate]

It fireworks for me too.
Seeing as I got it free :P

I really like the pre loaded patterns and strokes.
I could spend hours on it making graphics.

[dark_one]

i say Photoshop .. i didnt use the others b4 and i dnt think am gowin to use them .. cuzz i see Photoshop easy to use and have many functiones and the last release is not that diffrent from the others .. so .. Photoshop

[Craddock]

Photoshop CS3 for my site developmeny, I like Illustrator for my vectors, 3d Studio Max/4d Design - Renders.

[Jimbob]

I usually just use photoshop. I keep meaning to look into Macromedia Fireworks, but just don't seem to get around to it. Plus, I'm use to using photoshop and its what we're encouraged to use in AS Graphic Design.

[kristopher]

paint.net, its free, not as good as photoshop, but better than gimp

[fraggled]

3D Studio MAX!!!!!

Fucking A, SHIT, 3DS Max is a fucking 3D renderer not a fucking graphics editor.

[~Wayne~]

^ Lol you'd think was obvious to most eh? xD

[whatt]

I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0.
Even though its one of the newer and cheaper versions of Photoshop, I find it very useful, and you can still do very nice and quality work on it!

[dumdadum]

Photoshop's rather brilliant.

I do have a soft spot for the quick and simple Paint, however, considering PS on my pc severely lags.

[johns0n]

Vote for the best graphics software in your opinion and tell us why you voted! ;)

For me it has to be Macromedia Fireworks because its a qucik and easy to use, feature rich program that can export images in a whole different range of formats as well as exporting them as html/websites.

It can create soem very clever synamic CSS menus o-the-fly and also have an array of other useful stuff such as batch editing of existing images and hundreds of available plugins, most of which are free.

Used a bit of Fireworks in college the other day, I would still rather my Photoshop for web development etc

[Mikhael]

i use an illegal copy of cs2 :D cos im wicked

[Shane]

i use an illegal copy of cs2 :D cos im wicked
Shhhh! :P

[horus88]

I can't stand Creative Suite 3.

I've found Photoshop CS2 to be closest to what I am looking for, and enjoy using ImageReady as a side-program to prep some of my images for editing. Fireworks 8 and InDesign are others I use at work, but Photoshop is best by far.

[Shane]

I've never really sat down and tried to use Photoshop for Web Design, it's only ever been there for quick photos edits, infact now I use Lightroom.
What are the advantages over FireWorks?

[indirectobject]

Well, just about anything that you can do in Fireworks, you can do in Photoshop. It might take more time, or it might be a totally different process, or it might be trickier... so while Fireworks has the ease for web design, Photoshop has the ability to do the same things (but with more work) as well as handle bitmap editing.

I don't do much web design, so naturally I'm going to prefer Photoshop.

[Ed.]

Photoshop - no question about it. Everything else is shite.

[chocolatepocky]

Photoshop :)

It's well designed [they've thought of everything! Or so it seems], relatively easy to use and widely-used which means it's well supported.

[Nammy]

Photoshop CS2 or Jasc Paintshop Pro 10

[Melissa]

I use Photoshop CS2 at home.
And CS3 at school. CS3 is good if you have the whole Adobe CS3 package, because then it's all compatible together and you can import between the programs.
But yeah I'd say Photoshop.
For Architectural graphics I'd have to say AutoCAD. I use Autodesk Revit Building 8.1 for architecture. But AutoCAD presents better. Autodesk Inventor is good for 3D Graphics. I made a guitar amplifier on it for school. Still those programs are mainly for creating archillary plans, Isometric and 3D drawing so that people can construct stuff lol...
Sorry about going on about that. I've just been doing alot of architectual stuff for school haha.

[MagicalJamie]

Photoshop is BLATANTLY superior to all of the below, however I personally use fireworks too. It came with the Macromedia package which I got hold of for Flash. It's a handy little tool for basic editing. And it's easy to use.

[n0iZe]

xD. I never had the patience to do flash. It always took me so long to get the key..things figured out. Bah.

[conor]

The GIMP..
It's got the best name :)

[Shane]

The GIMP..
It's got the best name :)
Yeah but it looks pants.

Fireworks or Photoshop ftw.
Then paint. Always. :D

[Shane]

yeah but GIMP is ugly. :P

[Trollface.jpg]

photoshop CS3 FTW

[Shane]

photoshop CS3 FTW
CS4 :P
Get with it. ;)

[Leon]

yeah but GIMP is ugly. :PGIMP by name, GIMP by nature? :P

[Jooooooohn]

Photoshop Anyday ;)

[X.HollyPop.X]

Photoshop for win.
I can make the ugliest people look amazing.

Its so good.

[y0$hii]

Without a doubt photoshop but I have used paint shop pro a few times lol =D

[Nammy]

Photoshop has a higher learning curve but can do so much more I think.

[Jooooooohn]

Holly, can you do that for my sister then? lol

[Leon]

Lol.

[X.HollyPop.X]

Holly, can you do that for my sister then? lol


Thats mean!


But yeah probably :) x

[K-O-RPG]

I use GIMP, Fireworks, and photoshop.. I copy pasta from one to another, and make graphics.. I voted Fireworks cause I do all my avatar/sigs in it, and its alot easier to make Animated Gifs in fireworks.

[TommyStocks]

Macromedia Fireworks 8 :)

[Shane]

macromedia fireworks 8 :)
:d

[Cyber]

Photoshop may be popular
But GIMP is the best
I used both
I vote for Gimp

[gluepot]

Yeh I like photoshop but its soo expensive so I use gimp and voted for gimp. still not learnt my way around it and I don't do much with graphics so I often use paint it often is all I need for a job and its basic :)

[Shane]

Yeh I like photoshop but its soo expensive so I use gimp and voted for gimp. still not learnt my way around it and I don't do much with graphics so I often use paint it often is all I need for a job and its basic :)
If you use Paint for any role in designing, unless it's pixel work, which you don't even need to resort to paint for, you can consider yourself NOT a designer.

[gluepot]

I didn't call myself a designer :/

[k3v1n]

I have Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash Illustrator, InDesign and Fireworks) but I only ever use Photoshop and Dreamweaver as I'm still learning to use the others

[Shane]

I have Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash Illustrator, InDesign and Fireworks) but I only ever use Photoshop and Dreamweaver as I'm still learning to use the others
Unless you're doing a lot of actual editing of bitmaps and stuff, you might want to try Fireworks, it's far superior for work with text and vector graphics.

[k3v1n]

I usually do animated images, transparent gif's and just normal jpeg artwork but last time I tried using fireworks I didn't understand the interface and compared to what I can do in photoshop I was completely rubbish :( lol

Trying to learn how to use flash though that looks pretty hard as well lol

[Shane]

I usually do animated images, transparent gif's and just normal jpeg artwork but last time I tried using fireworks I didn't understand the interface and compared to what I can do in photoshop I was completely rubbish :( lol

Trying to learn how to use flash though that looks pretty hard as well lol
Making animated images is much easier in Fireworks too.
You have to understand that fireworks is more about layers and vector graphics than photoshop. Plus all the edit tools are are at the bottom of the screen, instead of hidden away in menus.

[nickbabenko]

Photoshop of course.

I can see why Fireworks can be useful when it comes to resizing images, I've remade countless icons. But seems it can't even save images correctly though.

[Shane]

Photoshop of course.

I can see why Fireworks can be useful when it comes to resizing images, I've remade countless icons. But seems it can't even save images correctly though.
I figured that out actually. I was using the "average" transparency setting to quickly change the transparency, so it was actually my fault.

[Jackaroo]

For making graphics and stuff, I go with Photoshop CS5. If I'm drawing with my tablet, I use PaintTool SAI.