Cheap or free Web Graphics program

londonman81

hi all,

I've downloaded a trial version of NetStudio Easy Web Graphics from https://www.netstudio.com - but the trial version doesn't allow you to save any banners or other graphics you make! >:(

So I'm looking for an equally good cheap (and not too large file since im on dial up) or free program that allows you to make professional quality graphics for websites and in particular banners.

As a long shot - does anyone know how to unlock the trial version?

All replies much appreciated!

EvilMonkey

I was going to suggest the GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) and open source program origanally developed for Linus, now ported pretty well to Windows. I've used it more as a photoshop replacement, but take a look on the site, I know a lot of the open source guys use it to do their website graphics...

http://www.gimp.org/

ShaunPenton

I normally use a combination of Powerpoint and Paint Shop Pro. Powerpoint lets you play around with graphics, logos, fonts etc., and then you can save as GIF or JPG and use PSP to crop, resize etc.

PSP is pretty big, but you'll find it on magazine cover disks fairly regularly. If you get hold of V7 rather than the latest version, you can uninstall when it times out (after 60 days) and then just reinstall it. Allegedley.

EvilMonkey

Just a quick addition to my above post.

If you do download the GIMP it can be pretty complex when you 1st open it (much like adobe photoshop). They've done a very good quide with some simple tutorials (and more complex bits) called Grokking the GIMP. This can be found:-

http://gimp-savvy.com/BOOK/

Also do a search through google for GIMP tutorials as there are LOADS out there covering a lot of different sides of the application. It's very much a community app!

PTLD

GOSH. LOOKS DIFFICULT!

EvilMonkey

It does, but once you get into it, its less so.

The thing with photoshop and GIMP is that they try to appeal to a large number of uses, so especially the first time it opens, you're flooded with windows controlling a huge number of different things.

As you get into it, you work out which tools you'll use and keep only those bits open. When you get used to it however the power of levels, curves and layers are just amazing....