can anyone help me with this question?

[sportious]

I am interested to create my own/original graphics for my site. What programs will you all recommend???

Thanks!

JL

[IanMarlowe]

macromedia flash (if you want it flashy and moving)
Paint--I've always found it nice (but then, I have no problems spending 15 hours a day making a picture)
Adobe Picture Suite (preferably the new one)
Corel Draw--Nice tool!
You can search and download some cool ones at www.download.com.
For moving gifs (i learned this today) try gimp. www.gimp.org
For easy graphics that move. They aren't very advanced, but search for KoolMoves, or Flash Movies at www.download.com

[Twey]

Flash and literal graphics aren't quite interchangable, as Flash allows interaction while animated GIFs/PNGs don't, but also requires the Flash plugin to work, which means that you have to presume that your users won't always be able to see them.
Most software suites can handle animation, not just the GIMP.

[4gotn1]

LOL IAN man im sorry but ........


Sportious - If you're talking about like web skins/templates and banners type of grafix your going to want Adobe Photoshop (Preferably CS or CS2) and get ImageReady with it. IR has an option to basically slice and code your template for you to begin with

[Twey]

The GIMP is pretty equal quality, with the right plugins, and it's totally free. Also it isn't limited to one platform like Photoshop.

[hybrid-rainbow]

adobe photoshop but its quite expensive

[Toribev]

Paint Shop Pro is very versatile and not as pricey as Adobe Photoshop

[Twey]

The GIMP is very versatile and is totally free

[wutki]

Right now, I have the following [graphics/image] software loaded:

Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia - Freehand - Fireworks - n' Flash, Ulead's Photo Impact, Microsoft Digital Image Suite 9... And, I 'wish' I could have Adobe Photoshop CS installed (as I paid a 'grip' for it at the time), but even with the least amount of software installed - it is incompatible with (basically) 'my' whole set up from the get-go... (It must be related to an MS Hotfix)...

As for Jasc's Paintshop Pro and Animation Shop - I have the same compatability problems with those two as well - but I 'need' them for some little stupid thing or other..

So, I just transferred the 'once-installed' files from my main drive over to my external, and twenty re-format's later, I'm still executing those programs from my external without the need to install them...

And, Ian? I am 'SO' glad to find someone who could chuckle at the '15 hours a day' on graphic-editing 'law!'

[darco9x2]

i have photoshop and gimp, and i mainly use gimp because it doesnt take so long to load, but photoshop has many more features. but if you dont have money, get gimp, its great and you can use it for animation.