image creation app (web gfx) ?


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i'm looking for an app that will let me create from graphics for web.

buttons, banners etc (PNG format with transparent backs).

i already have pixelmator installed, but that doesn't seem to be the app for this task? (more for photo editing etc) ?

any suggestions?

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i'm looking for an app that will let me create from graphics for web.

buttons, banners etc (PNG format with transparent backs).

i already have pixelmator installed, but that doesn't seem to be the app for this task? (more for photo editing etc) ?

any suggestions?

Photoshop?

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isn't photoshop a tad overkill for this task? (and expensive).

i always thought photoshop was for manipulating existing images/graphics, not for creating graphics from scratch?

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i always thought photoshop was for manipulating existing images/graphics, not for creating graphics from scratch?

infact, its both. its great for manipulating existing photos/graphics/whatever but just as well suited for creating entirely new graphics.

i for myself use photoshop for the rough work and indesign for layouting (i make flyers, posters and magazine layouts) but photoshop alone is just as good. its just my workflow for that matter.

i strongly reccomend to try the photoshop trial version which you can get for free at adobe.com with a 30 day limit. after that you can always think about really getting it and with student discounts and all its not thaaaaaaat expensive while it surely still costs a lot.

but it is the de facto standart, while there are other options like gimp.

i bought photoshop 7 back then and then upgraded from version to version and for me, it definately was worth it and i would guess the vast majority of neowin will second that. ;)

there are, however, certain ways to get photoshop for free. but that should not be the way to choose, the program is worth it and there is so much built into that piece of software that i cant even say i have ever seen every option in my life.

plus those ways are illegal.

so try it and if you like it, think about getting it.

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I second instant.human's opinion. While I only have experience with the Windows version of Photoshop, it works very well. I use it for creating things more then I use it for touching up. Sounds like it would do what you want perfectly, although it is a tad pricey, as was already mentioned.

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GIMP

Paint.Net

I thought Adobe had an online feature-reduced version of Photoshop, too.

All of those are free.

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I'd second Paint.NET as a great free alternative to Photoshop. Personally, I like it a lot more than GIMP. ^_^

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Paint.NET for Mac? Did I miss something here?

Pixelmator or Photoshop. Maybe Pixelmator 1.5 will suit your tastes a little more with their dozens of new key features, but it's not out yet (should have been out since July 1st, but they're still working on it)

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Paint.NET for Mac? Did I miss something here?

Pixelmator or Photoshop. Maybe Pixelmator 1.5 will suit your tastes a little more with their dozens of new key features, but it's not out yet (should have been out since July 1st, but they're still working on it)

Might be able to run PDN with Mono.

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i have current release of pixelmator, but couldn't work out how to create shapes with outer glows or emboss styles etc.

GIMP - i tried that but it i wasn't impressed with it at all. looked like it had been coded by chimps.

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GIMP tool windows can be merged and separated to create the layout you like. Your "coded by chimps" complaint isn't very technical, so can't help with that.

My wife uses it on her Mac, so I have a system I can go to duplicate any problems you are having. GIMP probably falls in-between Paint.NET and Photoshop for features, so you won't be lacking the tools needed to get what you want done.

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Look into Adobe Fireworks for a commercial image editing application designed for creating web graphics. Same style as Photoshop but more tailored.

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I think I know what you mean with GIMP. I never tried it, but sometimes I use software that looks like it?s been coded by chimps lol, aka it looks cheap, it?s sluggish, and there?s strange bugs?]

In all honesty, Bevel & Emboss, etc. I use them a lot and it?s the only reason why I use Photoshop. This is something other apps don?t have and I don?t understand why, because it?s plain awesome!

I don?t think you will be satisfied with any other app than Photoshop though if you say that? but try the other apps Neowinians mentioned, and give us news about them!

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Photoshop.

I create all my 2D stuff with t, and it's great. The massive availability of free brushes online is great too :)

Although I did use Fireworks for a while... back when it was Macromedia :p

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...

In all honesty, Bevel & Emboss, etc. I use them a lot and it?s the only reason why I use Photoshop. This is something other apps don?t have and I don?t understand why, because it?s plain awesome![/quote:unsure::unsure:

GIMP has those. Not sure why you seem to be claiming that those are unique to Adobe.

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nobody pays for photoshop. come on.

Oh, yeah. Everyone should warez it, and be cool, right? And why stop there. Let's also encourage warezing Windows, and Office and such.

How cool is that? (N)

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Oh, yeah. Everyone should warez it, and be cool, right? And why stop there. Let's also encourage warezing Windows, and Office and such.

How cool is that? (N)

About as cool as him.

Anyways, to stay on subject... Photoshop is the best image editor, it's the standard for professional image editing/creating. I use CS4 now, but I started on Elements and 7.0 back in like 2001 (or 02) and been upgrading it since. Love it.

I tried Paint.NET and GIMP before, neither work like Photoshop. Neither truly look great either. But that's my opinion. Give photoshop a chance with the free trial though, and then think about it... if you're going to use it a lot, it's well worth the cash.

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ok have downloaded the trial of PS CS4.

for example, i can create a square with a fill colour and apply a layer style to give it an outer glow.

how do i create a square with no fill (ie transparent inside with only the outline showing) and apply an outer glow to only the outline ?

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Paying for Photoshop to make buttons is silly when Pixelmator will more than do the job for a fraction of the price.

how? i had a look an couldn't see how to do what i mentioned 2 posts up.

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ok have downloaded the trial of PS CS4.

for example, i can create a square with a fill colour and apply a layer style to give it an outer glow.

how do i create a square with no fill (ie transparent inside with only the outline showing) and apply an outer glow to only the outline ?

In GIMP (and I imagine pretty much the same in PS), you can just use your rectangle select. Fill with solid color of choice. Select Filters > Shadow > Drop Shadow. Use a light color for a glow. A white or warm yellow or such. Apply and you are done.

To achieve your second item, with the missing middle, just turn your layer with the original filled rectangle off/invisible. All that remains is the outer glow you created.

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not able to advise ???

You disliked his comment so much you elected to reply to it yesterday, then hit it again today? :ermm:

Any luck with my comment? It should work in PS like it does in GIMP.

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