Best Website graphics software

by dowsp
25 replies
Hello,

I wonder if anyone could advise me on what would be the best graphics software
to buy under $200 that does more or less all that one needs to create images on a website.

Such as quality headers, dvd covers, boxes, ebook covers buttons and other images..

Also it should allow you to view and create ebooks or covers at various angles..

Also do they need to be used with other software such as photo shop , or is colour variation
shadows, reflections and shades etc included.

Thank you

Dowsp
#graphics #software #website
  • Profile picture of the author Anthony Hull
    To create ebook covers/DVD covers etc you need Photoshop AND CoverActionPro or 1ClickCovers

    If you just need a decent image editing program that can't create covers etc without alot of work, then check out Gimp which is similar to Photoshop and free.

    Cheers,

    Anthony
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    • Profile picture of the author dowsp
      Hello Antony

      At an initial quick look,

      1 click covers looks like it could be exactly what I have been looking for...

      I seached yesterday but could only find software what looked like basic cover variations and NO bundles..

      They offer what seems a full variation although It was for the dvd and various bundles in particular that I was looking for...

      Although for those samples just show one design in mainly one colour

      provided that I am able to use it with other colours it should be ideal.

      for $67 its seems great value.

      Many thanks

      cheers dowsp
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayhew
    Here's 2 great free one's.
    Why pay?

    Paint.net
    Redirecting ...
    &
    gimp shop
    Announcing GIMPshop | Plastic Bugs

    Michael
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    IMO Partnership. A National Insurance Marketing Alliance.
    http://www.imopartnership.com/

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  • Profile picture of the author eSeM
    I vote for GIMP with the gimpshop addon to make it behave more like photoshop. (Although photoshop itself is better, hands down)
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken-g
    Hi
    As you see by the posts above there are 2 easy to use free soft ware but if you really want the top range, bees knee's try searching on Google for xara3d or find xara website, it's on offer at this moment for under $100.

    Xara is alot better that photoshop as it is easyer to use, yes I have both on my computer and xara win's hands down.

    Enjoy, Ken-g UK...
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    This has been around for many years and looks like it covers all you want to do in your price range:

    Web Design Software made easy by Laughingbird Software

    Much easier than learning Gimp or Photoshop.
    Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author dowsp
    Michael, Esem, Ken g.

    thanks for the Free Photoshop type options...

    I will check them out...

    I assume though that the 1 clcik covers software just creates the shape of the image, and one has to do the art work design pre hand via the photoshop type software that will later be added / uploaded into the cover software.

    I have not used this type of thing before.. so I am guessing.

    cheers dowsp
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
      Originally Posted by dowsp View Post


      I assume though that the 1 clcik covers software just creates the shape of the image, and one has to do the art work design pre hand via the photoshop
      1 click covers is not software... it is photoshop action scripts.

      You will need a full version of photoshop that is compatible with the action scripts in that package and yes, you will need to create the graphic designs from scratch.

      Check out the link I posted above. It does what you are seeking for only $39 and will likely shorten your learning curve.

      If your budget is under $200 as you mentioned then purchasing photophop and using action scripts is way out of your price range because action scripts only work with the pro version of photoshop.
      Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author dowsp
    Hi Josh,

    Thank you for explaining that !...

    I did not really fully understand what or how it would work in relation to each other...

    I will take your post into further consideration.

    I am not sure what the pro version of Pro Photo shop costs but i suspect that its not cheap and will need quite alearning curve.

    It is just that the 1 click covers do the variations of bundles which is what I wanted....where as I am not sure if Laughingbird Software will do all the bundle type variations...

    If you can do the art work with it though that is a good package for basic 1 off type covers..

    thank you again

    cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author Lucas Adamski
    Try Photoshop Elements, its cheaper then Photoshop and still descent with many necessary functions in.
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
      Try Photoshop Elements, its cheaper then Photoshop and still descent with many necessary functions in.
      He'd have to create the box's from scratch because action scripts like the 1 click covers do not work with photoshop elements.

      I am not sure what the pro version of Pro Photo shop costs but i suspect that its not cheap and will need quite a learning curve.
      You can get it for $700 at Adobe.com and learning it definitely will require professional training.

      You are looking at well over $800 when you get it, 1click covers, and the training you need.

      So for the budget you mentioned that is certainly out of your range.
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  • Profile picture of the author Charann Miller
    Coveraction pro produces great quality, slick covers.

    Most people use it because they produce a nice, professional polished look each time. Also the resolution is extremely high at 300 dpi that means that you can get nice, sharp, crisp looking edges on your ebooks, boxes and cd covers rather than the jaggedly ones you do with some other software programs.

    I purchased it and it's been a great investment when doing graphics.

    You do need Photoshop and a basic working knowledge so that you can move and manipulate the layers. Not sure if it works with Photoshop elements.
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
      You do need Photoshop and a basic working knowledge so that you can move and manipulate the layers. Not sure if it works with Photoshop elements.
      It doesn't work with photoshop elements. Its just like 1click covers... its a set of action scripts for the professional versions of Photoshop.

      NO action scripts work with photoshop elements.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
    Had to throw this in. It's standalone software that personally blew my mind.

    Box Shot 3D: Ebook Cover and Boxshot Software For Windows and Mac Home
    Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author Anthony Hull
    One other point - have you considered getting a graphic designer here on the warrior forum to create your ecovers etc for you? You can get what you need done by a professional for about $67 - $97 and the results will be far more professional than anything you could do yourself (most likely).

    The problem is, the software is only one part of the equation. To create great looking e-covers you need to have the skills and ability to actually design the image itself. All of these software packages just take the image that you have to create yourself (hard) and then make it look like an ebook/DVD etc.

    Just some food for thought.

    I have photoshop and coveractionpro etc but I ALWAYS get my designers to create stuff for me because the end result will look 100 times better than anything I could make myself using the exact same software that my designers use.

    Cheers.

    Anthony
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  • Profile picture of the author DonTino
    Photoshop is of course #1 choice regarding graphics but most likely above your budget.
    Also good and free is the GIMP it works similair as photoshop but has a lot of pro features missing like being able to create high resolution graphics which are needed for printing. However for web purposes the gimp is great and free.

    Tino
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  • Profile picture of the author danette77
    I use PhotoImpact, maybe I'm just set in my ways because I have been using it for years now but I like it. It won't set you back much, the cost is about $70 US I think. You can also download a free trial if you want to try it before you buy it.
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  • Profile picture of the author MasonRamm
    I recently saw this one being promoted online.

    It sounds like exactly what your looking for.

    Heres the website: eCover Software Pro
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    Click Here For My Free Report (No Optin Required) Which Reveals A Cool Way to Make Money With Free Stuff!

    Discover Little Known Ways To Make Money - Click Here!
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  • Profile picture of the author schumer182
    Thanks for the info everybody was wondering as well.....Thanks to the search feature!
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  • Profile picture of the author dowsp
    Thank you for the other various graphic software packages..

    more to consider and way up and some that I was not aware of.

    Anthony... Yes IF I was to pay out a few hundred dollars on the likes of photoshop and other applications, then IF I only wanted graphics for one or two website projects, I agree I should consider using a professional..

    I surpose I should just try and concentrate on one project at a time, pay for good graphics and try and get it to work .. then if I make money.. then move on to the next project.

    BUT... some times, I dont always like what a designer creates and I may think I would like to be able to make ammendments or alterations and maybe experiment a bit... I am not always really sure HOW a graphic designer goes about deciding what is the right images for a specific project..

    Like anything.. some will be more talented than others and have a natural talent or flare for it...and just some how they are able to match the graphics accordingly and with excellent quality..

    I am no graphic artist, but I think that I am a reasonable judge on what I think looks good.. and at times as I say I think that it would be good to experiment on a few designs even if they are basic..

    Although no doubt specialist graphics of matching tones and shades that blend in do often make an image look much more appealing I admitt.

    I am not sure how long it takes to train as a graphic artist... a few years I suspect...depending upon ones talent.. BUT It may be worth doing if one thinks that they may have a chance of succeeding in the web related business..

    I could do with my present project working and then I may re consider if It is worth my time learning how to do my own graphics.

    I surpose Copy, webdesign and graphics are the 3 main HIGH skills in this business and ideally one needs to have all skills unless they can work out and afford a best way to outsource them...

    Initially I was led to think one could still succeed initially with an overall basic ability, but in some niches like IM... the standrds have to be so much higher to compete... Perhaps I should start again in a less competitive niche and then if I make some money... reconsider the IM market..
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    • Profile picture of the author scraggz
      I have to disagree with one of the comments re Gimp that it's a lot of hard work. Once you have your design you can create a curved ebook cover in Gimp in about 10 minutes complete with reflection and shadow.

      Check my sig I have a free ebook outlining the process, step by step.

      I also have a video series of lots more to do in Gimp. I can't offer a WSO at the moment so if you're interested PM me and I'll send you a 50% discount coupon.

      If you're considering doing your own graphics then Gimp is the way to go. It is highly underestimated, mainly because people don't take the time to learn it and it's not marketed like Photoshop.

      Stan
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      • Profile picture of the author MONEYDON
        I have the whole adobe suite. I use gimp for scaling images and color picking. I have the free trial of xara and i am totally amazed.

        They have free download versions of their image tool, web builder and a combination of both. Go download it and give it a run. I personally think its pretty amazing for the price.
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      • Profile picture of the author MrRSmith
        Originally Posted by scraggz View Post

        I have to disagree with one of the comments re Gimp that it's a lot of hard work. Once you have your design you can create a curved ebook cover in Gimp in about 10 minutes complete with reflection and shadow.

        Check my sig I have a free ebook outlining the process, step by step.

        I also have a video series of lots more to do in Gimp. I can't offer a WSO at the moment so if you're interested PM me and I'll send you a 50% discount coupon.

        If you're considering doing your own graphics then Gimp is the way to go. It is highly underestimated, mainly because people don't take the time to learn it and it's not marketed like Photoshop.

        Stan
        Thanks Scraggz. I have GIMP on my desktop, but never thought about it being able to use it to create ebook covers. I will have to go to your site and check this out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vlad Bacioiu
    The best program you can use for graphics is Photoshop but it's quite expensive. However, if you want to create ebooks on photoshop you must buy actionscripts for it (check max's packs).
    You can make some great ecover designs with this great website: ecover design - design it yourself online
    For headers, banners etc you can use gimp or xara!

    I hope this it will help you.
    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author HorseStall
    I'm a fan of Paint Shop Pro its less expensive than PhotoShop but gets the job done.
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