I am a total loser when it comes to design etc and have no skills whatsoever with graphics software. Now, I have decided to change that, but would sure like to ask you about software to use etc:

- Dreamweaver 4 Fireworks 4 studio
graphical HTML editor as well as imaging software
many tutorials/books available

- Adobe Photoshop
just imaging software?
expensive
lots of tutorials/books available

- Paintshop Pro
not so advanced?
cheapest
not many tutorials/books available

Please correct me in my assumptions; right now I'm leaning against Dreamweaver but very unsure. I do know HTML and usually uses just a text editor for it so maybe I should go with Fireworks only.

I really need basic tutorials/books, such as how to create rounded edges to use in a website etc, so that kind of counts out Paintshop Pro I guess?



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Also to create some basic flash animations ( sutable for a webhost I mean, mostly some text animations ). Is Swish suitable for it or do I need MacroMedia Flash?

Well with Adobe Photoshop, you must also remember that you also get ImageReady, a great tool that aids in basic animation, also you can create mouseovers, and has other tools not available in Photoshop. Most of my work is done in ImageReady (if to be used on the web) other than that Photoshop is my choice. There are many many great books/tutorials out there to help with Photoshop/ImageReady.

I tried Paint Shop Pro and wasn't not all to happy with it, I guess I am bias though cause I am and always Adobe fan.

Swish is a good alternative to buying Flash, I have seen some work done with Swish and although it was mostly text working, it was still impressive.

If you are looking for a good HTML editor, I recommend Macromedia's Homesite.

Photoshop is the best although not sure in ver6 there's the tool for drawing rounded edges or not. In Flash5 and Illustrator, theres this tool to draw rounded rectangles. Not sure about Fireworks.

Dreamweaver is good cos wysiwyg so its easy to visualise. Designers prefer that :D

In Photoshop 6.1 there is not actual tool to make a rounded edge, but you can always use the pen tool, but in ImageReady, there is a rounded edge marque (sic) tool.

said by DjPaj:
In Photoshop 6.1 there is not actual tool to make a rounded edge

I'm not sure if I miss something, but PS6 has a tool called:
"Rounded Rectangle Tool"
You can also use the "Rectangular Marguee Tool", draw your basic shape and then use the "Feather" tool under "select" menu.

Cyborg

ps. Nothing beats PhotoShop

Originally posted by Cyborg
said by DjPaj:
In Photoshop 6.1 there is not actual tool to make a rounded edge

I'm not sure if I miss something, but PS6 has a tool called:
"Rounded Rectangle Tool"
You can also use the "Rectangular Marguee Tool", draw your basic shape and then use the "Feather" tool under "select" menu.

Cyborg

ps. Nothing beats PhotoShop

K, had to check to make sure I wasn't going crazy, but my Photoshop 6 has no tool called "Rounded Rectangle Tool", ImageReady has one but not Photoshop 6, the last version of Photoshop had the Rounded Edge tool, but not 6.

Although I prefer Photoshop, I think the best choice for you is to purchase Paint Shop Pro. For some users, Photoshop has a steep learning curve, while others catch on quickly. PSP is ideal for beginners. It will save you money, and when you've outgrown PSP, you can progress to Photoshop.

Well, actually I have decided to go with Fireworks. While I agree on the money thing, therefore Paintshop Pro should be the best thing to start with, but on the other hand I have found little/no tutorials/books on PSP; which to me is very important.

I downloaded the 30 days trial and of Fireworks and really likes it, also my site's new design has been made with Fireworks.

As for the Flash thing, I will probably buy Swish later tonight :)

You might want to look around for a second hand copy of photoshop (version 5 or so). A lot cheaper then new and does close to everything the newer ones do.

I'm running Photoshop 5.02, Fireworks 3 and Dreamweaver 3 and can't say I'm missing anything

Greg Moore

DjPaj
I also have PS6
Take a look at this: rectool (http://www.hostpot.com/rrecttool.gif)

Cyborg

:blush:
You know what sucks? Is when you don't pay attention to what you are reading and then when done reading, still insist that you are correct about what you are writing.

My apologizes to you Cyborg, I was thinking you were talking about the Marquee Tools, not the shape tools. I insisted on arguing with you about the Marquee tool rather than actually pay attention to the fact that you were talking about the shape tools.

Sorry, my bad.

No problem, happens to the best of us. :)

Cyborg