Hi,
I am looking for anyones opinion of any software that is available that helps webmasters that lack in the graphics design field. I am not artisticlly inclined and find that I struggle somewhat with finding exactly what I want/need from free graphics sites. Is there anything out there anyone would suggest?
Thanks

- First off. With every design project I make, I carefully think out what I want to do. Sometimes if I need to, I sketch it out on a piece of paper. Am I an artist then? Of course. Does it make me good? Of course not. My opinoin of a person is a stick figure when it comes to art. We just do not work well.

What I have done to help me is I got a few programs and tutorials. My first progam of choise was PaintShopPro 7.0 (8.0 is the current version). The level of expertice needed to create semi-cool graphics is very low. I am sure people could argue on this for both sides. And in no way am I saying PSP is not a good program. In fact, it is what I use still

After you get that, I think it is less than $100 from Jasc Software, you will need to play around with it. Once you learn the basic funtions for it, you will pop out graphics like you wouldn't know.

How do you get from knowing nothing at all about it to becoming an expert of its functions? Well... You can mess around with it for 2 years like me, or be smart and buy a book. Books for graphic programs are awesome. They are one of few books that will provide you with a hand on learning enviroment. To me, that is the only type of bookthat sticks in my head.

That is step 1. Now, after you have somewhat of a comfort with making decent images, step your program up one level. I did this by purchaing Adobe PhotoShop 7.0 (still current release I believe).

This program is a LOT more powerful in terms of expert graphic creation. However, nothing can compare to some funtions that PSP delivers.

Sometime down the road you will find out that there isn't one good graphic program. Right now I use PaintShop Pro 8.0 and Adobe Photoshop 7.0 together.

Tutorials are the best way to learn how to use specific functions of a program. You will be overwhelmed with all of the tutorials that are available and might think about giving up saying it is too much; well it is too much. However, it just takes time to learn it. Do the steps above for 3 months and I almost know you will be able to make graphics professionally.

Goodluck!

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Mr. Bob's Web Design - Tirelessly looking for ways to enhance the customer base of your business.

I wholly agree. I work in Photoshop on a daily basis BUT for the money Paint Shop Pro is a great and very powerful prog. I also support the Idea of books or tutorials. You can also usually find good entry level classes in the night or adult schools in your area. You do not necessarily need to be a designer to do cool things with these programs. Also look into Photoshop Elements. (It's Adobe's try at a low cost prog like PSP.

I fully agree with you, my friends. Only don't expect but so much from Paint Shop Pro. Photoshop may be expensive (ok, thats an understatement), but it's that way for a reason. It has so much potential! But if you're not wanting to go through course after course to learn Photoshop, I would recommend PSP!

Later
Todd

A free software tool is GIMP (available for nearly any OS). It's not as "stylish" as Photoshop or PSP, but hey, it's free. At a minimum it will give you some ideas and skills before you lay out $$. Many of the tutorials for Photoshop carry over to GIMP, once you figure out where everything is.

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Yeah, that was the main thing for me with GIMP. I was just so accustomed to Photoshop that the layout of GIMP kind-of bothered me. Not that it's bad, just a little awkward. It does have quite a bit of potential though if you know what your doing... Thats the main thing about any type of design, whether it be for print or for web, knowing what your doing. Once you learn how to create your own graphics, you'll never want to go back to those free sites again. No matter how graphically inclined you are, the deciding factors with whether you can produce quality results are:
1. Your familiarity with the software
2. The amount of practice and experience you have
The more time you spend working with any particular program, and the more tutorials you go through, the more you can squeeze out of even the most basic of image programs.

I am like Todd, I tried GIMP once or twice (okay, maybe more than 3 times) and I just couldn't get it and gave up. Maybe next time I'll put more effort into figuring it all out.

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J de Silva
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Gimp is a good option but if you want to make gif images, you need to purchase a license from unisys (if I'm not mistaken). Only users of Sweeden or Norway can freely produce gif images.