Best image software

[Carl Merat]

Two other new programs just out in demo are 
Macromedia's Fireworks 
http://www.macromedia.com/software/fireworks

and Adobe's ImageReady
http://www.adobe.com/newsfeatures/imageready/main.html

Both are comprehensive, web-focused graphic programs. They will both list
for $299 when they are released. They do great work with
optimizing/compressing graphics, batch conversion, and making animated
gifs. 

Carl Merat
Technical Services Librarian
Liberty University

----------
From: Andro Gagne <apgagne at Friend.roc.servtech.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at library.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Thx: Best image software
Date: Thursday, April 30, 1998 9:11 AM

Joe:

        Though it is a bit pricey (about $550 retail, about $280 academic=
 pricing), I'm a bit surprised that no one responding to your query voted=
 for Adobe Photoshop as the best image software. In my opinion, Adobe=
 Photoshop is, without a doubt, the best software around for graphics
work.=
 Nothing else compares with its complement of powerful features.  It is my=
 belief that anyone trying to develop professional quality graphics on a=
 regular basis, for print or for the Web, will eventually end up using=
 Photoshop. I have been using Photoshop for a little over a year now, and=
 I've never been tempted to go back to one of the other programs for my=
 graphics work. To get a good feeling for what Photoshop can do that other=
 programs cannot, I would recommend asking for a demonstration of
Photoshop=
 by someone who's been using the program on a regular basis for a year or=
 more. If you do buy or try out Photoshop, you may find it helpful to buy
a=
 couple books on getting the most out of the program, as Photoshop's=
 _User_Guide_ probably isn't quite as basic as it should be for new users.=
 Books I found very useful when I was first learning to use Photoshop (and=
 to do Web graphics work in general) were:

        Siegel, David.  _Creating_Killer_Web_Sites_.  Indianapolis, IN:=
 Hayden Books, 1996.

        Weinman, Lynda, & Heavin, Bruce.  _<Coloring_Web_Graphics>_. =
 Indianapolis, IN:  New Riders Publishing, 1996.

        Moniz, Steven.  _Photoshop_Studio_Skills_.  Indianapolis, IN: =
 Hayden Books, 1997.

        Notice:  I have no financial interest in Adobe Photoshop, the
books=
 cited here, or their publishers.

Best regards,

Andro Gagne
apgagne at Friend.roc.servtech.com