Graphic Programs

[susieq]

Have just been back through some of the posts in this subject here, and found it to be exceptionally good read and good for the spirit, plus  looking back on my own stupidity and inexperience Actually, from which I'm not too far removed at the moment (in some of these Paint Shop Pro things)   But discussing things, certaily seems to help, doesn't it?

[dhakal]

 
I am using "MACROMEDIA FLASH"
I am satisfied with this.
It is great for Webbased purpose.

Thanks

[ovidiu]

I use Adobe Photoshop when I am on Windows and Gimp when I am on Linux.

Ovi

[donecweb]

I use GIMPshop, GIMP (for windows and MEPIS) and PaintShop Pro 8.0 mostly.

[Andy]

Who uses software beyond 10% of the capability?

I've been using PSP for some years now and it's only recently I got used to concept of layers. I noticed masks lingering in the menus and suspect I should look into them soon 

Here's a simple example of how I slid a blue sphere under some text. The sphere was on a lower layer than the text. This simple effect almost makes it look 3D don't ya think? So cool once you work out how to do it 



I used a gradient fill for the text and an anti-aliased border around the letters. Finally saved to jpeg file type with minimal compression.

[donecweb]

Yes I find myself in the same position.

[susieq]

Hmm Hmm 'masks' 'layers' 'objects''histogram'......'rastor' 'vector' 'matting'  do all these sound familiar? To me, confusing......I soooooooo need a 'voice' guide  through this.....I have said to myself that I shall not give up on PSP (this is now V.7) until I have learnt it all.....

Maybe we could somehow have some lessons.....I soooooo genuienely want to be able to operate this software ....  it has now become some what something of a thing for me to try to achieve......I also have the Gif animator attached to it...and one day I thought I would try to make some rose petals slowly open and close,  I thought it would be nice on my page   three days later and after many savings of many flower heads at different levels of opening and closing I ended up with one almost 2mbs...so I gave up for the time being.

[donecweb]

Ssusieq Start with simple things and then try alter things someone else has done. When making animations look at the special effects that come with PSP. I don't remember what all PSP 7 had with it as I have moved up to PSP 8.0 but if you want help I re-install PSP 7.4 and see what I can do to help you. BTW have you checked out the tutorials at the Paint Shop Pro Users Group
http://www.pspug.org/

They have a forum and training. There are a lot of people to help you there.

[Andy]

For animations you need a few .gif images. I would guess around 8 for a flower blooming. In PSP you can use the image optimizer when you go to save as gif to balance the file size with image quality. I'ts really worth getting to grips with the image optimizer tool. It's easy to use once you get used to it and essential for producing small file sizes.

[Queen Bee]

I have been using graphic programs for years, and only recently was I able to grasp the concept of layers and vectorizing tools. Much of this is thanks to the beginner's class I took in learning Photoshop, not because I had any clue what I was doing. I like to fiddle A LOT, but there are just some things that are best taught by others (Or in a user manual, if you can stand to read it.)

Just a few weeks ago I figured out how to convert text to vector using Photoshop. This enabled me to make a few small changes to fonts without having to draw them out myself.

[SensoVision]

I have been using graphic programs for years, and only recently was I able to grasp the concept of layers and vectorizing tools.

I have no idea how you can do such beautiful images without knowing how to deal with layers? I know layers consept almost from beginning(after I read some article about re-touching old photos) but it never help me do more than simple photo editing anyway, so talent is still on the first place.

[Doc]

I have just skimmed through the posts in this thread and most of you seem to use PSP or Photoshop so looks like I am on my own here preferring to use a vector graphics package for my pics. I mainly use Xara (just got their new Xtreme version a couple of days ago)

[SensoVision]

in my case preferences to photo editing programs and 3D ones are dictated by the fact that I never was good in painting and I prefer to compose my image from the other images e.g. my photos which is much easier IMHO.

PS I've added Xara to the poll options.

[rosie]

For animations you need a few .gif images. I would guess around 8 for a flower blooming. In PSP you can use the image optimizer when you go to save as gif to balance the file size with image quality. I'ts really worth getting to grips with the image optimizer tool. It's easy to use once you get used to it and essential for producing small file sizes.

Here's a wonderful easy and FRREEEEEE animation program!
It is so easy you just drag and drop your gif's and click make animation! Experiment with the delay timiing and have fun! I give it 2 thumbs up! You can download for free at the address at bottom of screenshot.

[Andy]

Thanks for sharing this resource Rosie. I guess you used it for your forum animated logo? It inspired me to do one too  (I used PSP though).

I hope people keep the animations subtle rather than too in-your-face