What to use to edit images for my website?

[J741]

O.K. I'm very frustrated. I have no problem creating website content, CSS and HTML code but I suck when it comes to graphics. I'm not trying to do anything special, just create simple shapes and designs. Simple backroud tiles that align correctly on the left & right and top & bottom of each other. And other simple graphics.

Right now I use the very limited but easy to use Microsoft Paint program to do simple bitmap images. Then I convert them to .GIF format, optionally re-size or rotate them, and optionally change the brightness, contrast, or gamma settings with 'Graphics Workshop Professional'. After that I select the transparency color, and optional .GIF animation frames with 'GIF Construction Set'. That's too many different programs in my opinion, so I'm looking for suggestions for a better solution.

Now I've tried programs like Photoshop and GIMP, and just got confused by all the differlent layers, filters, and other features appropriate for photo editing, but not for simple web graphics.

So here's what I would like:
- Simple bitmap editing with direct .GIF file handling.
- Ability to open images in any common image file format, but edit them and save them in .GIF format with all it's limitations.
- Ability to set a transparent .GIF background.
- Ability to type, move, rezize, and color text on the image.
- Ability to directly edit individual pixels.
- Ability to rotate and re-size images.
- Ability to adjust the image brighness, contrast, and gamma settings.
- SIMPLICITY !


Any suggestions or feedback about what you use for similar tasks?

- James.


My memory is not as good as it should be, and neither is my memory.

I have forgotten more than I can remember

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

I'd go for Macromedia Fireworks any day.

Hope this helps,
Dan

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[Foamcow]

I'd choose Photoshop, but that's because I use if for print work too and have done for a long time.

Never got on with Fireworks.

Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web design and ranting
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[ecobb]

I would imagine that since Adobe now owns Macromedia, that Fireworks is about to become Photoshop...


Hope This Helps!

ECAR
ECAR Technologies

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[BillyRayPreachersSon]

Photoshop and Fireworks are different beasts. One is more designed for image manipulation (Photoshop), and one is more designed for slicing, and creating web graphics (Fireworks).

IMHO, of course!

Dan



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[Foamcow]

I'd say Image Ready was Adobe's version of Fireworks. But it's very closely tied in to (read: ships with) Photoshop.

Foamcow Heavy Industries - Web design and ranting
Buy Languedoc wines in the UK

 

[BabyJeffy]

Give Fireworks a go (has a 30 day free uncrippled trial). It can be a little cluttered if you have a small screen... and it does take a little effort to get going - but there are manuals online that you can use to help this. That's how I learned to use it

I am guessing both ImageReady and Fireworks will continue as products for Adobe... neither one can completely replace the other.

Cheers,
Jeff

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[ecobb]

But they could combine them into "ImageWorks" or maybe even "FireReady"???


Hope This Helps!

ECAR
ECAR Technologies

http://www.ecartech.com

"My work is a game, a very serious game." - M.C. Escher

 

[J741]

You know, I've never even looked at Macromedia's Flash product for such a simple task, as I thought it was for something more complicated. And I already had it as part of the Macromedia Dreamweaver MX package. Now that I actually tried to use it for my simple image editing tasks, I find it quite easy and intuitive to use. Thanks for the feedback guys.

- James.


My memory is not as good as it should be, and neither is my memory.

I have forgotten more than I can remember

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

Surely you mean Fireworks? Flash isn't really an image editor.

Dan




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[J741]

Yes, that is what I meant. I type can't today

- James.


My memory is not as good as it should be, and neither is my memory.

I have forgotten more than I can remember