What do you use and what are the pros and cons?

Up until recently, I used Fireworks exclusively. I have been trying to learn more Photoshop. I have found that most of the good tutorials are for Photoshop.

If you are considering learning one or the other from scratch, I would suggest Photoshop, if only for the fact that it is pretty much the standard.

Fireworks doesn't have a lot of the effects, but I find it a little more friendly if you are just picking it up. However, I use Fireworks MX, which is one version back from MX 2004.

You could always download trials of both and see what you like.

I agree with -alb-, if you want to learn something from scratch, then learn photoshop. There are loads of better effects, but it may jus take that little tiny bit longer but not much if you know what you're doing.

Fireworks is better if you want to do something very simple and quickly. You can get some good effects in Fireworks but you have to know what you're doing. But it is alot friendlier like -alb- says.

I would take -alb-'s advise and download both trials to see which you find the best and suit you more.

actually I own both but I use fireworks exclusively. Mostly I use it for photo manipulation but many are telling me photoshop is superior for this type of thing...well actually they are telling me photoshop is superior for anything but is it worth making the switch- is their a learning curve to get used to photoshop after being so used to fireworks?

I think this is simply a matter of opinion. I use Photoshop exclusively for anything that has to do with image editing and creating... but this is mainly because I've been using Photoshop since version 4.0 and I'm too used to Photoshop.

I've tried Fireworks on a multimedia workstation in a library but it just wasn't the same.

But I'm sure both can do an equal quality in terms of image editing although I can't say for sure when doing a Quality vs. Timing comparison.

Another reason for choosing Fireworks is because it is around $200 cheaper retail compared to Photoshop... this might differ with educational licenses.

i use photoshop cs all the time cant go wrong with it

In my opinion photoshop > fireworks, but I havent realy toyed around with fireworks enough to know for sure.

IMO photoshop is better for general use.

in reality, it doesn't matter which program is better. what matters is what is more commonly used. when you sell a design, the person you sell it to wants to be able to edit it. since most people use photoshop, not fireworks, you want to use photoshop. i personally believe that photoshop is better than fireworks, but even if i thought it wasn't, i would still use photoshop because it is what my clients use

If I recall correctly, you can open Photoshop PSD files in Fireworks. All layers, slices, and guides correspond correctly. Not everything is editable as it is in Photoshop, but slicing and layers make the transition intact.

I have always been a photoshop user.
Recently I have picked up macromedia studio mx 2004.
I find fireworks great for png and basic photo editing, but will always stick with photoshop for more complicated jobs.

Chris

thanks for all the input everyone

I use mostly Photoshop..but I've come to realize that as far as text goes..Fireworks is a lot better...it's also better at basic animations something that Image Ready isn't all that good at...:D

Adobe is much better at this area than Macromedia is.

Photoshop is the industry standard!

I like fireworks for slicing better than ImageReady, too.

Retraction:
Fireworks is not as good at importing PSD files as I originally posted. Sorry for the misinformation :D

Photoshop is the industry standard for image editing.

yes its been said in a few posts before you...thanks though.

I also like to slice my sites in fireworks. I also use it for web graphics and sometimes logos. I use photoshop mostly for image editing and for making art-type graphics.

Can't go wrong with Photoshop :)

Fireworks is much easier to pick up. Photoshop is tha daddy :D

It probably depends on the complexity of your projects. We use fireworks much of the time; it works quite well for simple to moderate image editing, slicing and logo design, and we like the fact that it interfaces so tightly with dreamweaver.

So far we haven't found many projects that fireworks couldn't handle, but we use photoshop when it's warranted. Actually, much of it is simply personal preference. Some of our designers who have used photoshop since before fireworks was even available still use it exclusively.

I use both fairly liberally, but favor photoshop in general graphic editing (much more powerful and easier to use once you get hold of its capabilities).

Fireworks is a great program for generating slices. I find it's incredibly efficient for rollover menus and exporting graphics that contain text.

My site is currently under construction. Feel free to check it out (thezai.net/home/).

I use Fireworks exclusively, but just like the others said, it's a matter of preference...

Good luck with whichever you choose :)

Photoshop r0x. I didn't like Fireworks that much. There aren't as many resources for Fireworks but a ton for Photoshop. Photoshop is also just... better, makes me feel better.

Originally posted by unlevel

Good luck with whichever you choose :)

I've already chosen fireworks and I'm pretty comfortable with it but I just want to know if its worth making the switch on a learning aspect without costs coming into play. (I own both)

Originally posted by Genjamin
I've already chosen fireworks and I'm pretty comfortable with it but I just want to know if its worth making the switch on a learning aspect without costs coming into play. (I own both)
This is my opinion, but if you own both I have no idea why you shouldn't switch to Photoshop. You would love Photoshop. And if you have both... get out of Fireworks! That's what I think. I may be wrong, and you might like Fireworks. But atleast give Photoshop a try.

fireworks is the devil, make the switch. come to the photoshop side of the force...much easier and way better and more kick booty, too :P

p.s. fireworks should DIE, that is all, have a nice day.

so is photoshop the light side or the dark side?

Fireworks was created predominantly for the web. It is great for create fast vector images and text with some good filters and effects. I would say use Fireworks for creating buttons, nav bars, banners, logos and text effects for the web.

Photoshop is better at bitmap images.