What programs are you using?

[Hasenfefer]

Just curious as to what you designers are mostly working with?

I do 90% of my designs in Photoshop 6.0, I also use Image Ready 6.0 to cut up all my images and output the HTML.

What are you using?

[pageoneresults]

Graphics and Design

1. Photoshop - Initial Concepts
2. Adobe Illustrator 8, 9 and 10 - Vector Based Images
3. Adobe GoLive - Slicing, Dicing, Rollovers
4. Fireworks - Additional Graphic Design and Image Optimization

HTML Editing

1. Microsoft Front Page 2002
2. Note Pad
3. Dreamweaver - Rarely

I keep a list of the programs that we use on a regular basis both for Web and Traditional Print Media.

Web Site Design Tools (http://www.seoconsultants.com/tools/web-site-design.htm)

[Blue]

Dreamweaver 4- almost exclusively
DW UltraDev 4
HomeSite - use for quite a bit of coding
FrontPage 2000 - rarely

Fireworks 4 - use it quite a bit
Photoshop 6
Illustrator 10
GoLive
Flash 5
Director 8.5
and sometimes even good 'ol Paint Shop Pro

[highman]

photoshop (best for photos)
fireworks (best for compression and gfx)
Visual Interdev (html and asp)
topstyle (.css)
IE6
NScape4.7

[Blue]

Oops!

Yeah, highman. I forgot TopStyle

[newriver]

For somebody like me who has virtually no web design skills, but wanted to learn.

would you recommend frontpage, or dreamweaver?

if dreamweaver, do I buy Dreamweaver 4 or DW UltraDev 4 ?

[OptWizard]

I use...
Adobe Products for design...and I also use FP 2000 as well as Dreamweaver 4.

But I think you know that already :D ....

[ihelpyou]

hey newriver, FP has a much shorter learning curve than dreamweaver does. And if you learn all the things that FP can do like PageOne says, you might be much better off.

[Blue]

It's really a matter of personal choice.

Dreamweaver is an extremely powerful editor that has superb integration with Fireworks (excellent for graphics optimization) as well as top-notch resources in the form of user groups, dedicated websites, and what are called extensions, which are add-ons (free and paid) that add streamlined functionality. In addition, almost all Macromedia products use the same interface, thereby making the learning curve from one program to the next much less complicated. If you're familiar with PhotoShop's interface, you already have a headstart in using DW. You simply can NOT go wrong with this editor.

UltraDev incorporates database functionality aimed mainly at ASP, JSP and ColdFusion. If you don't need this, DW4 will suffice.

I would buy the DW4/Fireworks4 bundle, as you save a goodly amount over seperate purchases.

-------

FrontPage, as many here will attest, has come a long way towards being the professional, robust package that it is today. It too, is a very good editor, though not IMO as good as DW (I'm sure you'll hear some arguments on this, lol).

------

Dreamweaver Trial Download (http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/trial/)

FrontPage Trial Download (http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/evaluation/trial.htm)

Simply put, I started with an older version of FP, made the jump to DW, and never looked back. However, after FP somewhat caught up, I DO use it in some instances.

[MazY]

I won't bang the FrontPage drum any further. Suffice to say that if you want an interface that flies totally against everything that you have ever learned about standard Windows interface design, then Macromedia DreamWeaver will do nicely. :D

With regards to FrontPage, the question is FrontPage 2000 or 2002? 2002 has some really cool features that DreamWeaver is still learning to spell let alone implement. But, finding hosts with 2002 extensions is still not commonplace.

I was chatting about this the other day and this is because the earlier releases of the extensions had some pretty severe admin bugs that made security almost laughable. These may have been resolved by now but my colleague didn't believe it had been.

As for other tools, I have Flash, Fireworks, Photoshop, CorelDraw and Paint Shop Pro. Since Paint Shop Pro introduced layers, I have used that predominantly. (I really detest the illogical Macromedia interfaces.)

Like all tools, in many instances, it really isn't the tool that limits you, it's your own ability.

Corel I use when I want extrusion tools, etc. For ASP coding, and being as we are predominantly an out and out Microsoft house, it's still Visual Studio and SQL Server 7.

[JuniorHarris]

>For ASP coding...it's still Visual Studio and SQL Server 7.

That's my bread and butter!~ I call it WYSIWYC, what you see is what you code!~;)

I did upgrade to SQL 2000, but there is really not much difference between that and SQL 7. Other then the AD integration and XML delivery. I have been experimenting with the direct XML delivery from the database, and thus the only reason for migrating to 2000.

[MazY]

You must be rolling in cash, meladdio!

I only got SQL Server about a year or so ago. I don't really use it for web coding either. More hooking the VB apps on to through ADO. So when ya going .net then moneybags? :)

[Kal]

- Front Page 2000 for page building and editing (so shoot me)
- Microsoft Image Composer for graphics building (combined with the excellent free MS Online Art Gallery)
- Paint Shop Pro (when Image Composer is misbehaving).

[kneelsit]

Hi Newriver,

Like yourself I am still very much on the learning curve, - started
my first web site using Netscape Composer way back when Ns had about 80% of the web traffic.

A good friend recently sent me both DW4 and Dw dev Pro. I would stick with DW4 and get really familiar with that first. I particularly like the feature that allows the code and the WYSIG page to be shown together in the one window - also the HTML clean-up button.

Then again i do have a strong bias against any buggy M$ products.:D

[sanity]

- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- HomeSite

v. basic but gets the job done ;)
Sophie

[pageoneresults]

Photoshop 7 (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html)

[highman]

Just as a note;

I would advise everyone using WYSIWYG editors to be careful of the code its creating behind the scenes, a lot of the time the html is well bloated and can be trimmed a heck of a lot.

I would advise standing back and looking at the page layout and visualizing what tables are ness. for the page to look correct.
Most of the time you can take out loads of additional tables and cells, all clogging up the spiders access to your content.

Image editors are also guilty of bloating the code on a page, you must have seen spacer.gif before!.... most of the time you can junk all the spacers, or better still be real acurate when slicing images.

There are not many sites I have seen that are using real clean code, and believe me, it makes a difference!

Clean, Lean and Mean, its easy and it helps ;)

[MazY]

LOL Bloaty and proud!

[JuniorHarris]

I wouldn't even consider .net until at least a few service packs are released!~;) Though I do know a chap running beta 3. And the services components do appear to have some promise.

[highman]

LOL Bloaty and proud!

Liar, theres not an ounce on ya!

[F-S]

I use FP2002 - for now. Just found another AWESOME editor called 1st Page 2000 that I'm growing to love. And it's FREE!

Here's the description from Cnet. By the way, 94% of the User opinions give it a thumbs up.

....Some features worth mentioning include automatic image sizing, HTML stripper, document compressor, source formatter, many JavaScript features, LiveSpell (checks spelling as you type), TidyHTML, XML converter, FTP client, support for up to four external browsers, real-time split-screen page previewing, customizable toolbar and keyboard shortcuts, Flash/Shockwave support, DHTML layers, ASP, SSI, CFML, WebTV tags/color-coding, custom code snipplets and many more. It also includes 450 JavaScripts, 15 DHTML scripts, 17 Perl scripts, 6 HTML scripts, 2 CGI scripts, Webmaster resources via online portal, a 100+ page step-by-step Web design guide, and references for the latest HTML 4.0/SSI/CSS.

The TidyHTML is worth the cost of the software alone...then there's the HTML to XML converter....


For Graphics I use PhotoImpact 6.0
PhotoImpact was just recently compared to PhotoShop on Cnet:
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/1,10000,0-6831797-7-8653703,00.html?tag=sptlt

[OptWizard]

yes this is a fine fine program.. I have used it myself...I forgot about it I think I am going to redownload it now

[ihelpyou]

I read somewhere the 1st page thing had spyware installed in it or something. You may wish to check on this.

[OptWizard]

Just got adobe go love 6.0 looks like a neat program

[Web Witch]

Started with MS word years ago or web pages which I must say had very clean code but not much else :mad:

Graduated to FP after a few months, when DW3 came on the market started using that and still haven't upgraded to ver. 4. It does throw useless code into the html but have learned to review the code and clean it up before using the pages. There is a DW function to 'Clean up html' but wonder if it REALLY works that well, maybe it's better in ver. 4. I'm waiting for version 5 because instead of getting new software each version I've found skipping versions is better on the wallet and most of the time there is really nothing groundbreaking from one version to another:rolleyes:

Still am a Corel PhotoPaint and Draw person. Have version 10 but still use version 8 because they have moved features that I use all the time and dislike having to figure where Corel has put the darn thing. Also I've noted that it crashes a lot and haven't been able to retrieve the image which it crashed on even though it saves a backup copy, the backup crashes upon trying to open it:mad: You might be interested to know that PhotoPaint usually comes out with something new then PhotoShop adds this feature in their next version, sometimes calling it something else just to confuse the public. Also MacroMedia products look like they don't support Corel products but they do. You can always save from Corel as a PhotoShop image anyway but you can't save a PhotoShop image as a Corel PhotoPaint image8). Another Corel note - they were the first graphics programs to be able to save an image as a PNG. In the long run Corel Draw that includes Draw and PhotoPaint ends up costing you less than buying Adobe PhotoShop and Illustration separately. If you take Corel classes you are able to buy the Academic version at a considerable savings. Another perk of using Corel is they give you tons of images and clip art you can use, and they change the photo images every year so now I have a free stock of thousands upon thousands of images to use.

Also, Flash 5

:hi:

[rmridgew]

havent heard about the spyware for eversoft 1st page.

1st page has a real-time window that shows the page changing as you code in real time

i use it exclusively, I do write my css in dreamweaver though

does anyone know where I could find some good dreamweaver tutorials?

[kneelsit]

Yes Mac,

Having just acquired DW4 froma friend I would love to
get some good tuts. as well. The on line help files you get with software are not often that darned helpful - except to the pros. and usually seem to be written by the eggheads who dreamed up the software
:mad:

[Blue]

Where I found all the best resources for finding ANYTHING on DW is through their newsgroup. Point your news reader to: forums.macromedia.com

In the sigs of many of the long time posters are many helpful links.

Or for a browser based version:
http://webforums.macromedia.com/dreamweaver/

[kneelsit]

Many thanks Blue:thumb:

[pageoneresults]

Macromedia Flash MX to be released soon!

Get It First (http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/)!

Five new features...

Video Support
Create distinctive rich content and applications that incorporate video. Import any standard video file supported by QuickTime or Windows Media Player, including MPEG, DV (Digital Video), MOV (QuickTime), and AVI. Manipulate, scale, rotate, skew, mask, and animate video objects, and make them interactive using scripting. Video is natively supported in Macromedia Flash Player 6 with the addition of the Sorenson Spark codec.

New Graphic Design Tools
Designers work faster with the new Free Transform tool and Pixel-Level Snapping Control, which provide enhanced creative freedom and control over graphic content. Color Mixer enhancements make creating, editing, and using colors and gradients easier than ever before with consistent color selection models and interfaces.

Pre-built Components and Templates
Streamline your application development process by using templates and pre-built components to rapidly prototype application interfaces in Macromedia Flash MX. Save time and effort by reusing custom components across multiple projects.

Customizable ActionScript Editor
Be more productive with a customizable ActionScript editing environment with customizable text display properties (font, size, and color), syntax coloring, and toolbox panel content.

Timeline Enhancements
Be more productive with new timeline enhancements including folders for organizing layers, improved cursor feedback, and the ability to manipulate multiple keyframes.

[Web Witch]

Thanks for reminding me pageoneresults. Just received this in my email today. For those in the Atlanta area you may be interested in attending. I will be there because these meeting are very informative.
----
Greetings,

The joint Atlanta Macromedia Users Group (AtlMMUG) and The Interactive Media Alliance (TIMA) meeting will be held on March 21. Everyone is very excited about seeing Dave Weisman demonstrate Flash MX!

Flash MX was announced today!
See the press release: http://www.macromedia.com/macromedia/proom/pr/2002/flash_mx.html

See the Flash MX Top Ten:
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/newfeatures/

See the Flash MX Product Tour:
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/productinfo/features/flash_feature_tour/

Our meeting space has been confirmed. Since we are expecting a large number of attendees, the Weber Building on the Georgia Tech's campus has been made available to us. The Weber Building is next door to the Wesley Center for New Media where AtlMMUG normally meets. You can find directions and a map here:
http://www.newmedia.gatech.edu/about/map.htm

So here is the official scoop:
AtlMMUG/TIMA Meeting
March 21, 2002
Featuring Dave Weisman, Macromedia and Flash MX
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Wesley Center for New Media
Georgia Institute of Technology
Weber Building
686 Cherry Street
Atlanta, GA 30332
(tell your friends to RSVP at leif@mindspring.com)

6:30 - 7:00 -- Networking
7:00 - 9:30 -- The Secret Presentation

And...

ANNOUNCING THE POST-EVENT EVENT -- What??? You say that two jam-packed hour of interactive goodness isn't enough for you? You need to hob-knob with your friends and fellow AtlMMUG/TIMA members and folks from Macromedia? Well, now you can! Join us upstairs at Gordon Biersch (http://www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants/atlanta.html) for the POST-EVENT EVENT! You'll find it here: http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?addr=848+Peachtree+Street%2C+NE&city=Atlanta&state=GA&zip=30308

And lastly, please feel free to inform your friends, colleagues and co-workers. We want this to be a fun and educational evening.

:hi:

[Kal]

So what's the URL for this free 1st Page 2000 thingy?

[Web Witch]

Blue, have to agree with you the MacroMedia News Groups are the best! Have not found a tutorial for Flash or Dreamweaver that is worth a darn.

Kal, sorry can't help you with the '1st Page 2000 thingy'.

:hi:

[Blue]

http://evrsoft.com/1stpage/

[Great-1]

AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH WYSIWYG editors :eek: :eek:

Everyone using FrontPage, get your self a copy of Edit Plus, and use that to hand code all your HTML, CSS, ASP, PHP, ABC, 123, and everything else.

I personally use FrontPage 2000 to manage the site, but EditPlus to do all coding.

I also use Photoshop 6, ImageReady 3.0, Corel 10, Flash 5.

[kneelsit]

Could not agree more Great-1,

Have been using it for 2 years now, tried plenty of others but kept coming back to it. Liked it so much I even went out and paid their modest registration fee after about 5 months use.

My partner - who is the expert in photoshop kept trying to convert me to Namo but when he saw what a mess it made of the code when trying to import pages he left it up to me to clean it up in Edit Plus. Still miss the old reliable - Netscape Composer
that I started with in 97.

Greg

[Web Witch]

Great-1, how do you keep Corel 10 from crashing on you?

Thanks:hi:

[Great-1]

I've got one heck of a fast machine :D

Seriously, it used to crash alot, but since I moved over to Windows 2000, it hasn't crashed at all, even when I'm running Outlook, IE, FrontPage, Photoshop and Corel at the same time.

[Advisor]

Along with my very old copy of Netscape 4.7, I have old software for html and graphics! I use what used to be called Ken Nesbitt's WebEdit (later bought out and changed to Luckman's WebEdit...and now defunct, I believe). And for graphics I often use my old 16 bit version of Paint Shop Pro. The 16 bit version is sooooo simple and quick to use. If I need heavy duty graphic capabilities, I do also have PhotoShop. Since I don't actually design sites or graphics professionally, I can get away with these old tools. Oh yeah, I also use HomeSite if I need to do an advanced find and replace of some code or words on all the pages of a site. That's the one thing my WebEdit is missing!

Jill