[thelist] Fireworks or Photoshop?

Brady Mitchell mydarb at gmail.com
Sat Jan 5 17:34:06 CST 2008


> Not sure if this is the place to be asking this question but would  
> someone
> be able to give me a quick view as to why the two are different and  
> which is
> better for what?

I find that Fireworks is much easier to work with when creating images  
for websites. Since it has been built from the ground up as a vector  
based editor, it seems that it works a little better.

Photoshop is the way to go if you're dealing with actual photographs.  
But I've also found that for most people, ie: not graphic artists,  
something like paint.net, the gimp, irfanview or imagewell will give  
you the basic photo editing tools you need without having to pay for it.

> I have some minor fireworks experience and no Photoshop experience  
> if this
> counts for anything.

This definitely counts for something. Since you have experience with  
Fireworks, I'd stick with it. Until you start needing specific  
features of Photoshop, stick with what you're familiar with.

> Ideally I want to be creating web graphics. I think its fireworks  
> that I
> want to keep on using which is good because I have that anyway.
> Also does anyone have any hints on how to make good web graphics?

Here's some tips:

- If you're not familiar with the different image formats used on the  
web (gif, png, jpg, svg) that should be your first step. Learn how  
they're different, what they are best used for, etc.

- Find a good book, class or tutorial site that will walk you through  
some of the functionality of Fireworks. Spend lots of time playing  
around in Fireworks about the different tools available.

- Learn about the basics of good design. Find out what the acronym  
CRAP means in relation to design, and use those principles.

- Spend some time on the web exploring. Find some sites that have  
graphics similar to what you want to create, and re-create them to get  
an idea of what it takes to make good looking graphics.

- Find user groups or mailing lists that are directly associated with  
graphic design and/or fireworks. You're welcome to post questions on  
this list, but a more focused list may give you better feedback / help  
than this list can.

Best of luck,

Brady



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