How do I create graphics?

routbisu · #1 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 10:30 PM

Please suggest some good easy-to-use software that can be used to create graphics for a website. For ex: the background image (in .gif format) and other color picking software.

kelevraco · #2 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 10:40 PM

I think the best software for free is Gimp it does most of what Photoshop does. And allows you to save in multiple formats. www.gimp.org
you can find all kinds of brushes and add-ons at www.deviantart.com

Another powerful graphic tool is called inkscape. This is free as well and could be worth you taking a look at as well. I use inkscape and photoshop for my images. www.inkscape.org

James · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 07:14 PM

Another good program is Paint Shop Pro Photo X2. It can do just about anything Photoshop can do. It does not have the up to date practical support that Photoshop has but it is very good and costs considerably less than a hundred bucks.

There are many color picking software programs and preferences depend a lot on how people like to work. My favorite is a free add on to firefox called ColorZilla Color Picker.

It has many options, my favorite part being the small eyedropper icon it places at the bottom of your browser. You can click on it at any time in any internet page and a crosshair pops up. Point it at anything on screen and you can read the color of that spot. For example if you like the background color of this page I just pointed at it and found the color (on the far left) to be #F3E4C1. Very slick.

ustadbongo · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2009, 06:37 PM

I use a program called PhotoScape. It is free, very easy to use, and has a lot of cool editing features. I used this program to create the logo banner for my website and highly recommend it. I also have tried using gimp for a little bit but found it too confusing. Hope that helps.

claire0917 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 07:40 PM

For me, photoshop is best. It allows you to optimize your images for web. I was able to reduce graphic size down by 50% in my site with no degradation to quality

dylanbowman · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2009, 07:52 AM

I used to love Photoshop until the cheaper but nevertheless competent graphic software came out. I'm liking Paint Shop Pro at the moment, as per James' recommendation.

pmorrison2588 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 10:10 AM

Use Coreldraw. It is simple, efficient, and can give great results. You can also save files in different formats including gif.

sgtmac66 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 02:49 PM

I have a very, very old PhotoImpact which is really easy to use. I use it for banners, logos and the like. They have a new one that came out, probably around 40 bucks, which is now Corel PhotoImpact. (You may be able to find an old version for 10-20 bucks?)

I mainly use PSP-Corel Paint Shop Pro X-1. Think I paid 80 bucks...Believe you can now find it for around 40-50 bucks)

Lots of free programs on the net. One I just download and trying out is called PhotoFiltre.

Free Editors:

Paint.net
PhotoScape
VCW Vicmans-(This was my first editor) Photo Editor (Download site has bad reputation?)
Ultimate Paint
Picasa...Photo organizer with some editing capabilities