Application to create 3D web buttons, suggestions please.

[itchyII]

Hello All,
I am looking for a simple, inexpensive application to create 3D looking web buttons. I do have graphics experience with the Photoshop etc., but I really am looking for something simple, with alot of built in effects. I have been looking around and all the apps I've seen preach the same thing. I figured that with, the amount of experience here, you all might have some personal reviews of which ones are worth trying out and which ones I should stay away from.

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Itchy

 

[cian]

I use PY Software's 3D Gif Designer, its actually animator software and great for buttons & banners etc. I even got it free for doing some beta testing!

sales@pysoft.com

http://www.pysoft.com

Just one idea anyway...


É

 

[TFfan]

Photoshop. If all you want to make is buttons, then PS is not really that complicated at all.

 

[Wullie]

Hi all,

DeIf you want the easiest way to do it, check out this..

http://www.xara.com/products/webstyle/

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.searchit-now.co.uk

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[itchyII]

Thanks Wullie, thats more along the lines of what I'm looking for execpt, I would like the ability to import shapes and apply the effects to this shape.

TFfan, As for Photoshop,there are just so many steps to go through the get a nice effect, I know that the versatility is there, but I just wish that there would be some preset full effects that can be applied with the click of a button. I guess I'm just looking for a shortcut!

Its just that I see all these really cool buttons being used on web pages and just about every site credits some sort of button making software. I just thought I'd take a poll on the ones that you experts use most. Surely, not all web page designers spend hours in Photoshop making buttons?

Thanks,

Itchy

 

[funkymonk]

Never spent hours in Photoshop making buttons, once you do one you have it either in your styles or actions [making sure you record it or save it as a style] so doing it again is at the click of a button. funkymonk B-)

rod@sameplanet.co.uk
********************

 

[TFfan]

I make all my buttons in PS, and I'm sure most serious web designers do as well. I can make a button from scratch in about 10 minutes--and that's a fancy one.

With programs you get a generic look to your graphics and people with experience can pick them out in a minute. PS is worth the time it takes to learn it.

Give it a try in PS and if you have problems just post a question; there are lots of good and talented people here that'll help.

 

[ltdphoto]

Dreamweaver 4 has many java script buttons that are very nice and I haven't seen them used all over. They are easy to use and customize. I used one example of them on this site:

http://www.cwru.edu/chsl/hist_div.htm

 

[GaryR49]

Have you considered using Flash? It can create animated buttons, both 2D and 3D. Not exactly inexpensive, however.

 

[itchyII]

GaryR49, I have made buttons in Flash but how do you save them? The animated ones that I have made require the Flash player to work and I really try to keep my website 'download-free'.

Itchy