I’ve been asked a few times what really good Image Software Program I would likely recommend.  I think that the program best used for each person is really something best decided by that person, ultimately.

Here is a review of a few of the different programs available out there – for those of us who have a few dollars to spend for something like it.

Adobe Photoshop

• Adobe is a great manufacturer, and makes great programs!
• Tend to run a bit higher in the price range.
• Wide variety of abilities that you will likely not find in other programs.
• Learning to use program isn’t hard; there are online tutorials to help you find your way around it.
• It has its own built-in graphics animator as well as layer manipulation
• Considerably cheaper version out that Adobe created called Photoshop Elements.

Adobe Fireworks

• Graphic design capabilities in the program, as well as some photo editing.
• Maneuvering your way around the program is more difficult
• Typically preferred by professional graphic designers.
• Cheaper than your basic Photoshop as well.
• There are no built-in animation abilities with this program.
• Not as user friendly as most other graphic programs
• The results you get from it are outstanding!

Jasc/Corel Paint Shop Pro

• This is a great learners program!
• It’s considerably cheaper than the previously mentioned programs
• TONS of tutorials out on the world-wide-web
• I find it’s usually the most user-friendly and easiest to work with .gif images
• There is no built-in animation abilities with this program
• Partner program for very cheap (if not automatically included) that does nothing but animation, called Animation Shop. Animation Shop is easy, even for the most graphic-disinclined!

These are the programs that I’ve used the most, and I rather like all of them. As I’ve gotten to know them, I find that I like one program to do some things, another to do other things, and the other to do some other things!

One thing I do want to point out is: after you become used to one program, it can get confusing adjusting to a new program, so if you find a program you love, and it does everything you’d like it to, there’s no harm in sticking with it! Most of us do!

Once you get comfortable with your program, you’ll never want to live without it!!