Graphic Programs

[run2web]

What I am trying to do is arrange tables in the shape of a ships' wheel with thumbnails inside them
So it is probably easy for you to see how and where I can get myself into trouble here

I think I read a post that you made somewhere else that you are using notepad to code HTML with, is this correct? If it is, my suggestion for this might be to use a wysiwyg program for this instance and then study that code. I started out using notepad but then when it came to complicated tables and such I did resort to a wysiwyg program and I studied it until I understood what it did. It sure did help me in the long run for the next time I did something similar.  

HTH

[run2web]

I use Paint Shop Pro 7, Fireworks, Freehand 10 (a little) and 20/20 (freeware) for some effects.

I have Photoshop but I have found that I can do most everything that I need to do with PSP7 with a lot fewer headaches.

I have used Gimp but it boggled my over-taxed brain at times. That doesn't mean that it was difficult to use, it was that the user was having technical difficulties.  

[Alecto]

I personally hate wysiwyg programs.    From my experience, it actually set back my time in learning html.  It's so...  >.<  Not to mention it takes fours pages to write the code for something I can write in one.  And trying to decripher their code...  Oy vey...  

PSP7 rulz...  Photoshop is just a giver of headaches...

[susieq]

Hello run2web,
yes, you did see that I use notepad for my html.  Islanding, suggested Ultra Edit 32. text editor, the big brother to notepad. I have a problem because I like to SEE and UNDERSTAND and know what EXACTLY what  I'm doing with html basics, therefore I don't use text editors, and I believe  by doing it myself I learn more.......I'm not in a hurry, I have my pet project to do and I try to understand and learn as I go None of the professional html/dhtml or (whatever is the update)  designers have to be worried about me as a competitor
Also yes, I use Paint shop pro 7, again a nice  hang-up alongside of the attached  "gif" software programme with PSP7, which I sometimes  used when  I constructed  my pages. I remember, it took me ages to design a multi-numbered,no-flat sides,  rolling dice, then I found it took almost a meg of space also it was so slowly rolling,  The things we learn
I would be interested to see any PSP7 pics. if any (amatuer) one has some for examples, or
"gif" examples, of their "lessons learned from"
Thanking you
Susieq

[run2web]

I personally hate wysiwyg programs.    From my experience, it actually set back my time in learning html.  It's so...  >.<  Not to mention it takes fours pages to write the code for something I can write in one.  And trying to decripher their code...  Oy vey...  

PSP7 rulz...  Photoshop is just a giver of headaches...

It depends on what wysiwyg program you use. Programs like Front Page <<rolls eyes in disgust   >> are notorious for adding code that has no place in web pages (IMHO). Others like Dreamweaver only add extra code if you ask it to. Before I began using wysiwyg programs I had a really good grasp of tables, forms, layout, etc. I guess it is all just a matter of preference. If I had to hand code again I could do it easily, but I also work with it for about 12 hours everyday and lately the majority of my coding is hand coded because I have been incorporating so much PHP into my sites.

I agree about PSP7  

[SensoVision]

yeah run2web I agree with you on Front Page and Dreamweaver question... I use Dreamweaver myself I would be almost hopeless without it by the way do you have a site online, if so maybe you'll provide a link to it?

[run2web]

...I use notepad for my html.  Islanding, suggested Ultra Edit 32. text editor, the big brother to notepad. I have a problem because I like to SEE and UNDERSTAND and know what EXACTLY what  I'm doing with html basics, therefore I don't use text editors, and I believe  by doing it myself I learn more.......

I'm confused..... Notepad IS a text editor... Islanding was just saying that Ultra Edit 32 is a better version of a text editor. It gives you more flexibility when writing html and will also help you find your errors. I know when I was first beginning I would/could have searched for hours for a missing tag. It got so very frustrating. There is nothing wrong with using a program like UltraEdit or another editor to learn the basics. In fact, it is better because you can learn from your mistakes with a little help, just like when we are in school and the teacher helps us learn about quadratic equations. Anyway, that is just 2 cents worth

I remember, it took me ages to design a multi-numbered,no-flat sides,  rolling dice, then I found it took almost a meg of space also it was so slowly rolling...

Been there, done that. I think my first animated gif was nearly 820K. The trick there is to reduce the number of colors to the bare minimum and the next trick is to reduce the number of frames that are being used to do an event. You can many times use less frames by speeding up the frame rate of a motion. Sometimes it doesn't even take a lot of speeding up. I don't know if I still have any of my old images or not. If I do they are at home and I am at work.

RUN2Web

[run2web]

yeah run2web I agree with you on Front Page and Dreamweaver question... I use Dreamweaver myself I would be almost hopeless without it by the way do you have a site online, if so maybe you'll provide a link to it?

Thanks for agreeing with me on the Front page issue  
I will show you my company's site. It is http://www.summitdesignservices.com/ I am getting ready to redesign this site yet again. Looking for ideas if anyone has any.  

My personal site is needing some major overhaul but with school, work, kids, etc there just aren't enough hours in a day so I'm not showing it off yet.

[SensoVision]

I'll examine your site little later. I saw you have pretty hughe portofolio there as for now you can put it to review here I believe people would be glad to give you some ideas on how to improve it and when I have more time I'll do that too.

[run2web]

Thanks Phoenix. I may do that.

RUN2Web

[Nonya]

Hey Peeps,
I think alot of ppl mix with Graphics applecation & (Vector Art & Illustration).
For Graphics applecation i can't live without PhotoShop & if you're talking about Vector Art & Illustration Applecation there is alot of em such as Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand, CorelDraw, Fireworks and others.

BTW the free applecations dosen't give you what you need.

[Queen Bee]

I use Corel Photo-Paint 8 and Adobe PhotoDeluxe 3...

If you're into the Anime/Manga seen you could always try OpenCanvas- Talk about cheap! That's like the cheapest art software out there.

Responding to an earlier post...
If you want a good program that makes 88X31 flash banners, buttons, and such, you should seriously try Sothink Glanda 2001a. It's my favourite program for creating flash quickly, and professionally.

It's really cheap too, and I prefer it to Swish.

You can download a trial version here:
http://www.sothink.com/

It's actually a great trial version too. You can do just about anything with it. They do, however, put an unremovable link ad at the bottom of all of your creations. Of course, if you buy it, that will go away.

[M.Cabre]

I've been using Photoshop for something like 6 or 7 years now.. Great program. Don't really know of any free ones though.

[Queen Bee]

I just started using Photoshop... I don't really have designing jobs or anything going right now, so I don't have any goals, but I like the way the program works.

The quality of everything is very high, and the text filters and stuff are great.

[ched]

If you really want the list:
To keep track of where all my graphics are on my HD - Thumbs Plus.
3d: Vue d' Esprit, Bryce 5, Poser 4, Lightwave, Corel Dream, Ray Dreams, Terragen,  (haven't got World Builder down yet)
painting: PSP 7, Photoshop 7, and Corel Suite 8
Misc. Irfan View, Ulead Suite with smart saver, and 3D font, 3D Font FX