[TribeLeader]

I'm just getting deeper into web design so I don't have a lot of experience with creating web graphics. But I've been reading a lot about Photoshop and Fireworks, and I'm confused.

What do you use/recommend for creating graphics for the Web?

Thanks!

[genevish]

I would think it depends on what type of web graphics you're creating. If they're mainly photos, edited for web use, go with Photoshop. If you want vector based artwork,, Fireworks may be the better choice. I think Macromedia offers a free 30-day trial of Fireworks.

I use Fireworks more heavily for my sites...

[genesisdan]

Hrm, thats not right.

The MAIN difference is CMYK vs. RGB

With Fireworks you cannot do any CMYK work at all. Nope, sorry, no can do. But since most, if not all of the stuff you'll do for the WEB will never be CMYK, Fireworks fits the bill nicely. Besides, it integrates quite well with Dreamweaver and the two work nicely together.

I use Photoshop for print media work, where it has to be CMYK. Fireworks is for all my web stuff.

[:dragonflypro:]

I have been a heavy FW user for quite a while.

When the Adobe/MM merger was approved I tried to start using PS for non photo site design…just in case. I have to say the 2 are not really at all close.

The vector shape creation…and more importantly to me… manipulation of existing shapes in FW is unrivaled. It is basically a very web-centric blend of PS and Illustrator.

For complex photo editing or anything CMYK it is PS. But if it is web work, it simply has to be FW, for me.

Much to my relief, Adobe is keeping it around.

T

[TribeLeader]

Thanks, everyone, I *think* I am going with FW.

[Carbine18]

for web design go with photoshop. you can do almost nothing with fireworks compared to what you can do with photoshop. plus it will be easier to learn and find tutorials for.

[stephenr]

Originally Posted by Carbine18

for web design go with photoshop. you can do almost nothing with fireworks compared to what you can do with photoshop. plus it will be easier to learn and find tutorials for.

Actually, no. Wrong. Photoshop is NOT by ANY standard, the "best" tool for designing web-graphics.

Fireworks FAR outshines photoshop in both Vector and Raster/Bitmap editing. Fireworks supports most Photoshop filters, and for web, it does one huge thing Photoshop doesnt. It has built-in support for slicing. That is, you design a "layout" then slice it into the seperate elements (ie, individual images). Photoshop does NOT have this functionality, instead you have to open the photoshop file in ImageReady and then slice it up from there.

Yes there are a lot more tutorials for Photoshop out there. But 3 million tutorials on how to make a "wow uber-cool sun-glare effect" are NOT going to help you create great web graphics. An intuitive, powerful application with features not found in ANY other app will.

[TribeLeader]

Thanks, all. I did purchase FW8. Now I just have to learn how to use it, or rather, find the time to learn it!

[blackstar]

haha yeah the learning curve is steep, but once you got trick youll be able to do amazing things!

[brod(d)ers]

Considering that Adobe have recently bought out Macromedia, Photoshop is really the only way to go if you want to keep receiving updates and help. Plus it's a bloody good program! After using if for a few times, you start to get a handle on how everything works!

[stephenr]

Um, once again, FUD.

Adobe product managers have publicly stated that Fireworks is staying. Fireworks FAR outshines photoshop in web-graphics. Funny really, given that that's what it was designed for.

And funnily enough, photoshop is better for bitmap editing of photos for all you 13370 kids with phat photoshop skillz.

[Knightrider]

Fireworks wins hands down for web graphics. You can create some twiddly stuff in Photoshop, and you can import it into FW, but be careful importing FW .png into PS as you will lose any of the FW settings.

K.

[Phil Sherry]

$fireworks++;

[spacefreak]

I started with Fireworks back in the day, but soon moved to working with Photoshop & Illustrator side-by-side.

I think you made the right choice with Fireworks. Best bang for the buck.

[jaydon34]

I loved fireworks as its easier to learn than photoshop. Photoshop is on a whole other level