Graphic software advice needed please

[Larry Grenier]

I've developed a few web-pages for a few different entities and they do the job but they look, well, er, boring :(
See my pages (http://larrygrenier.brinkster.net/webmastr.htm)

I have basic HTML skills. I use Xara to make neat lettering and buttons. I can creater map-links... I really need to be able to create spiffy professional-looking graphics. You know, combine pics, fade, layers but I don't what software to start with.

Your suggestion for what software to use and even where to buy it and tutorials for it would be very valuable to me. Even if someone already suggests your choice please chime-in.

Thanks again for your advice.

Merry Christmas
Happy Haunkkah
Happy Holidays (pc)

[wizard]

(Adobe) Photoshop. ;)

It can be pricy... depending on your budget I guess. But trust me, this is the best software for that... most good looking websites start in Photoshop. You can easily find thousands of tutorials for Photoshop, ie. Good-Tutorials.com (http://www.good-tutorials.com) :D

Adobe Photoshop (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html) <-- Try it out.

[Larry Grenier]

What flavor or product would I need to be able to create pages like this? (http://www.dddiscus.com)

[Pixelchik]

Can't beat these two apps for good web design (IMHO) However it's best to be very familiar with HTML so you can clean up the code that is generated by some HTML editors.

[LJK]

Hi -
Layers, .gif animations and free...oh my!

Gotta go with GIMP -
some tutorials available
on the Gimp User Group site, plus the all-purpose
"Grokking the GIMP" is also nearby.

Have fun,
El

[Web-Templates]

Photoshop is best. If you want to just get your feet wet, you may want to try out Photoshop Elements for around 99 bucks. Less functionality, but a good newbie package and a whole lot cheaper than the full-blown version.

[amazing_andr3]

I used old CorelDraw 8 until now, and installed Corel 11 and Photoshop CS a few days ago. Man, I feel like a kid at Disneyland! It's absolutely amazing what you can do with photoshop. Besides, all the job offeres I saw mentioned Photoshop as a must.

It can be pricy...
Wizard, how 'pricy' is it, really? Where I am, it's an all pirated 'subculture', I don't know one person who has ever payed for software.

[Jona]

I highly recommend Adobe Photoshop and/or Illustrator. Photoshop, at full price, usually goes for about $600 USD. You can get it cheaper at eBay, but be careful - some people try to sell illegal copies! Make sure it's still shrink-wrapped, or includes the box and original CD. I hear Fireworks is also really good, but I don't own it (as of right now). Although I doubt it can compare to Photoshop, you might try it. If you want to buy something good just once, I'd say to get Photoshop.

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

well, the thing with fireworks, its really simple to use, and has a great compatibility with other macromedia suite products, specially flash.
but from what i saw, what u can achieve with fireworks, u can do it with photoshop.

photoshop is great!:D

[Mester Pediz]

The choice is your's but i'd highly recomend Photoshop too! because it really can! do everything you need for web Gfx. and anything else you need to make graphics for, plus i don't think there's any products that's as intergrated into everything else as the Adobe products, so the choice is you'r but i'd think it unvise to choose anything else for your purpose.

For the lerning part, go to www.phong.com theese are some of the best free tutorials i'we found for Photoshop, and there's some good link's to other tutorial sites too.

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

yeah phong is a good site, great resources!