Fireworks V Photoshop

[Karve]

I love them both... perhaps eeering on the side of Fireworks for ease of use, although Photoshop is a bit more powerfull... what are everyone's opinions on these kings of web design. Which is the best web design package??

[[PVC]Spiketooth]

Photoshop is well beyond the competition for bitmap creation, image manipulation and all that lark, though it frustratingly lacks convenient bezier curve support and it's PNG support is lacking also.

Convieniently, the aformentioned niches are catered for by Fireworks. For bezier curves, FW4 is the bee's knees especially since it now allows you to set text to follow paths. Slicing objects for export to Dreamweaver is a joy to anyone used to the alternatives. However, it takes a clever mind to create images in Fireworks that doesn't look like it was a template. The reason for this is it's too easy to use, so many features have been automated that people are deterred from developing their own unique way of doing the simple things.

I know it's not what people like to hear, but I recommend a compromise. Photoshop for creation, Fireworks for slicing and preparing for web application.

I hope I've been of some help, if you wish to pursue your interest of Fireworks, have a look at the Macromedia newsgroups over at forums.macromedia.com . It's subscribers are a supremely helpful, clever and inspiring lot.

[mr_grumpy_man]

Ditto what he said... albeit without the air of someone who really knows what he's on about :E

I make good use of the pair (although older versions now ;().

[Karve]

I know and use them both.. have done 4 years... I was more after running a discussion as to what the web building comminity use and for what reasons...

I myself am a comprimise user.. much of the day to day graphics I need to do here at gameplay towers need to be done on the fly therefore Fireworks is the daddy for that.. but when starting a project I often find that Photoshops power unleashes creativity more than fireworks.

[Waldo]

I'm not really an expert but I tend to prefer Photoshop - I have them both, although I only recently got Fireworks... I know its not really that difficult, its just I've not really had time to sit down and explore everything - for example, I have used Photoshop (on and off) for ages... Both programs have their advantages and disadvantages... if your designing a personal site or a non-commercial then one or the other would be fine... but if I launched a web design company then I would prefer to have both :)
Don't think thats really cleared anything up at all, but I often have that effect on questions and comments :E

[Shaun]

I just do basic stuff and use Photoshop.
just luv the bevel and emboss feature :P
nah i tried fireworks and just cant get used to it

[Karve]

I really should have included Paintshop Pro in the discussion. That was the first graphic program I ever used and some highly skilled designers I know swear by it...

[Waldo]

Yeah, Paint Shop Pro as well... although personally I don't like it that much... another program I have (although I only have version 3 (think thats right, I know the version I have is very old)... Professionaly, you can only consider a few packages, but there are loads of packages out there, all that have pro's and con's.

[7ths0n]

We use both here at work and my preference falls towards Photoshop. Fireworks is nice to get a simple layout started but once I've done that then i shift over to photoshop and finish up there. Paintshop pro is another one worth mentioning, i USED to swaer by it but that was when i just did graphics stuff at home, now i do it for a job i don't find it all that useful.. photoshop and fireworks combined tend to get the job done either way.

But to pick one over the other ? Photoshop all the way.

^7th^

[Ford Scrote]

well i'm not much of an expert.

I've always used psp (err mainly cos i got it 'on the cheap')

but never really got to grips with it.

Since i started using DW, i've been learning FW and must say i love it - mainly cos its simple and because of its compatibility with DW and Flash.

I've never used photoshop - but as a beginner i've heard its quite complicated (anything that includes the word bezier starts to confuse me). That's just my impression.

FS

[MCHammer]

Spike I love you, and I see your using ICQ again :).

Personally I think Fireworks is the best as it is very simple to get used to and can also be a very powerful tool. The slices are very useful as well.

[Karve]

Yea I just love the slice n dice features of Fireworks.. I have never used Photoshop for that function so I will have to have a look to see how it compares.

It would have to be pretty good to compete with Fireworks especially with Fireworks tie in with Dreamweaver.

[Watermelon]

i'm afraid i only use paint :)

[Karve]

Hardcore old skool :smokin:

[7ths0n]

Fireworks 0wnz Photoshop for slicing, one of it's more useful tools... but still, i prefer to do the majority, if not all of my work in photoshop :rolleyes:

^7th^

[Sar]

I tried Fireworks, and removed it within a few hours.

Deffo prefer Photoshop for doing stuff in.

Coupled with DW4. That is a nearly unbeatable combo for smaller websites IMO.

[Edited by Sar on 18-01-2001 at 01:02 AM]

[Karve]

How can u 'try' something in a few hours. You need to give a complex program such as Fireworks a good week of messing around with to form an opinion... imo :smokin: