[iKwak]

I would like to learn either one of the software to build experience.
Looking at the education price for each license, Fireworks is much lower compared to Photoshops...which is a PLUS.

I understand Photoshop is the leader in image editing but Fireworks can do what Photoshop does, right?
Which would you personally recommend out of the two? And why?
I doubt I have time to learn both program and once I start, I would like to remain with that program.

[art_director]

personally don't use fireworks. pshop is the standard. i would buy pshop.

[godzookie2k]

what art_director said. fireworks and photoshop are entirely different beasts with entirely different purposes.

[siliconwarrior]

Please don't use software just because it's the standard (ahem, Quark). Both these apps are available as free demos, I suggest you try before you buy.

However, IMO, you can't beat the Shop, the Shop rocks.

[godzookie2k]

again, both of them have different purposes. Its not a matter of standards, its what you plan on doing with them.

[iKwak]

I opted for Studio MX as it met my purpose.


For tutorial books, which publisher would you recommend? http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...6Q&cds2Pid=946

[velodev]

Originally posted by godzookie2k:
again, both of them have different purposes. Its not a matter of standards, its what you plan on doing with them.

This is completely valid point, HOWEVER Imageready is bundled with Photoshop so looks like you just covered both angles - photo manipulation and web-ready imaging.

Go Photoshop... hell, go CS. Since this will be your first version, try the demo of CS (if there is one) and find out which meets your needs.

Basically, fireworks has a complex interface with the sidebars and property tables and the exporting of optimized images (I remember these being my issues when I first tackled it). I remember numerous times trying to use it and then just gave up only to use Photoshop.

I use CS, and have been using PS since v2.

[skalie]

Originally posted by iKwak:
I opted for Studio MX as it met my purpose.

Which is?

[cowerd]

This is completely valid point, HOWEVER Imageready is bundled with Photoshop so looks like you just covered both angles - photo manipulation and web-ready imaging.

ImageReady is an ugly hack, and tends to produce larger web ready images of lesser quality than Fireworks (in almost every web format). Fireworks for web work, PS for everything else.

[Thor]

ImageReady is an ugly hack, and tends to produce larger web ready images of lesser quality than Fireworks (in almost every web format). Fireworks for web work, PS for everything else.

^^^^^ Agreed. (Photoshop user since v1.0, FW user since 1.0)

[velodev]

Originally posted by cowerd:
ImageReady is an ugly hack, and tends to produce larger web ready images of lesser quality than Fireworks (in almost every web format). Fireworks for web work, PS for everything else.

Wow, you sure you know how to use it? I mean, it may be true Fireworks has better compression algorithms but I would never consider it an ugly hack. Sometimes it seems too "entry-level" but not an ugly hack.

[velodev]

Originally posted by cowerd:
ImageReady is an ugly hack, and tends to produce larger web ready images of lesser quality than Fireworks (in almost every web format). Fireworks for web work, PS for everything else.

Also, not to get into a flame war but the guy's initial post seemed like he was leaning towards ONE product to satisfy his needs. Hence, fireworks vs. photoshop. I just looked on the bright side and noted that you get two apps within photoshop.

Later in the post, he mentioned he bought Studio MX which was never brought up as an option.

[hostvisions]

Fireworks is for web-image work only. Photoshop does that and then some. Pick accordingly.

[godzookie2k]

I'm just posting this for posterity.

[godzookie2k]

Originally posted by cowerd:
ImageReady is an ugly hack, and tends to produce larger web ready images of lesser quality than Fireworks (in almost every web format). Fireworks for web work, PS for everything else.

thats ********. Photoshop used to produce slightly larger images because it put all kinds of photoshop specific data into the file, but not anymore. They both put out the same files, at the same size, in the same formats.

[ghost_flash]

Originally posted by hostvisions:
Fireworks is for web-image work only. Photoshop does that and then some. Pick accordingly.

Bull.

I have both of them and switch between them
as I have found features in FW that I wish were
in photoshop. Whatever is more efficient for
the task at hand.

Get them BOTH.

"Fireworks is for web-image work only."

Great advice. (not)

[godzookie2k]

well its for 72 dpi work only, after that it bogs down and dies.

[ghost_flash]

Originally posted by godzookie2k:
well its for 72 dpi work only, after that it bogs down and dies.

DPI is irrelevent.

http://www.nicholsonprints.com/Articles/dpi.htm

http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec122103.html

http://www.ekdahl.org/test_dpi/test2dpi.htm

[godzookie2k]

oh ffs you know I meant screen vs print.

[ghost_flash]

Originally posted by godzookie2k:
oh ffs you know I meant screen vs print.

Of course I do.

[frownyfrank]

I really like Fireworks. It's much more focused on web design and I think it's easier and quicker to develop with, mainly because of the nice built-in vector tools. With Photoshop, there's always the need to swap between two apps, Freehand or Illustrator, and import into Photoshop.

But then once you've drawn everything you need to draw, Photoshop is better for finishing. Exporting in PS or Imageready I think is still weaker than Fireworks (like how you can't select more than one slice in PS until you export), but once all you're dealing with is bitmaps, it is indeed superior.

I'm waiting until either Firework's bitmap functions improve to rival Photoshop, or Adobe adds some real vector tools to Photoshop before I can live with just one app. I doubt either will happen.