Free Vector Graphic Editors

[Martin]

Hi,
One thing I'm aware my webpages lack is good graphics. Therefore any
advise on good free graphic editors for windows operating systems that are
on par with Fireworks would be appreciated? Or should I just invest and buy
Fireworks?

While I'm asking this questing I may as well ask for advise on other web
tools / packages. Currently I use the following, if anyone has any better
suggestions please advise.

HTML editor: Dreamweaver 4.0 (only really used for code highlighting and
HTML validation)
CSS: Notepad
Database: MySQL
Graphics: None (hence this post)
Applets: Netbeans 4.0
Web Server: Apache
Server Scripting: Sun Chillsoft ASP
Client Side Scripting: Java Script

Sorry as I'm sure these questions must have been asked before, if there is
an FAQ I could read please point me in that direction.

Thanks in advance
Martin

 

[Travis Newbury]

Hi,
One thing I'm aware my webpages lack is good graphics. Therefore any
advise on good free graphic editors for windows operating systems that are
on par with Fireworks would be appreciated? Or should I just invest and buy
Fireworks?

GIMP is a great free tool.

I personally use the Adobe CS2 suite. But you probably don't want to
spend that kind of money.

 

[Martin]

GIMP is a great free tool.

Thanks I'll download and give it a try.

I personally use the Adobe CS2 suite. But you probably don't want to
spend that kind of money.

I think I develop good web applications in terms of functionality and
usability but just lack the visual appeal so I would invest some money if I
have to, of course there are limits.

 

[jb]

Inkscape: http://www.inkscape.org/

 

[Toby Inkster]

GIMP is a great free tool.

It is, but it's not a vector graphics editor. For vector graphics try
Sodipodi, which is The GIMP's vector-based buddy. I've not tried the
Windows version, but the Linux build is very nice. It's still in the
pre-1.0 versions, but is already very capable.

Also, to the OP: Google for "SciTE" -- I think you'll like it for CSS; and
probably for HTML and other coding too.

 

[Travis Newbury]

Thanks I'll download and give it a try.

I think I develop good web applications in terms of
functionality and usability but just lack the visual appeal so I
would invest some money if I have to, of course there are
limits.

There is NOTHING you could do with CS2 that you can not do with GIMP.
Take some graphic design classes, buy a design book, and check out
other sites for ideas. CS2,GIMP, or anything else is just a tool.

 

[=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Dav=E9mon?=]

There is NOTHING you could do with CS2 that you can not do with GIMP.

Have you even tried doing a 5 colour print job using CMYK and a spot
colour?

 

[=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Dav=E9mon?=]

Thanks I'll download and give it a try.




I think I develop good web applications in terms of functionality and
usability but just lack the visual appeal so I would invest some money if I
have to, of course there are limits.

No amount of software, free or otherwise, is going to give you design
skillz. Software doesn't do design - people do!

If you really want to learn, do a part time graphic design course... not
a 'how to use potatoshop' course, but a proper one. Or buddy up with a
local designer who doesn't have your mad programming skillz.

Goodluck.

 

[Travis Newbury]

Have you even tried doing a 5 colour print job using CMYK and a spot
colour?

The OP has no clue what you are talking about. (Not to mention CYMK is
for print)

I stand my my statement there is NOTHING the OP can do with CS2 that
he/she can not do with GIMP.

I on the other hand, and possibly you (I don't know you so I am
assuming) may be able to take advantage of CS2 features.

 

[Martin]

There is NOTHING you could do with CS2 that you can not do with GIMP.
Take some graphic design classes, buy a design book, and check out
other sites for ideas. CS2,GIMP, or anything else is just a tool.

I agree a course would be good I have an O in Art but I'm sure a course in
graphic design would go a long way. Can you recommend any good books /
online courses.

Martin.

 

[Travis Newbury]

I agree a course would be good I have an O in Art but I'm sure a course in
graphic design would go a long way. Can you recommend any good books /
online courses.

I picked these up:

http://tinyurl.com/dtf3d

They are good to give you some ideas.


Check out the local community colleges for some continuing education
courses. They are very inexpensive, and can get you headed in the
right direction.

 

[=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Dav=E9mon?=]

The OP has no clue what you are talking about. (Not to mention CYMK is
for print)

....so's spot colour ;-)

I stand my my statement there is NOTHING the OP can do with CS2 that
he/she can not do with GIMP.

ahh! the OP, not 'you' generally, and within 'web', not in general.
Sorry, I thought you were one of those lunatics who think that GIMP can
do everything PS can.

I on the other hand, and possibly you (I don't know you so I am
assuming) may be able to take advantage of CS2 features.

Yes, I have to.

 

[Travis Newbury]

ahh! the OP, not 'you' generally, and within 'web', not in general.
Sorry, I thought you were one of those lunatics who think that GIMP can
do everything PS can.

Nope, not even close. On a side note, I like the graphics you did
(your samples)

Did I detect AI, or do you just use PS?

 

[Robert Latest]

On Tue, 08 Nov 2005 09:40:03 GMT,

There is NOTHING you could do with CS2 that you can not do with GIMP.
Take some graphic design classes, buy a design book, and check out
other sites for ideas. CS2,GIMP, or anything else is just a tool.

Except the OP requested a vector drawing program, and Gimp isn't one.
I'd recommend Inkscape. By the time SVG makes into browsers you're ready
with all your compatible graphics at hand.

robert

 

[Robert Latest]

On Tue, 08 Nov 2005 11:55:19 +0000,

Have you even tried doing a 5 colour print job using CMYK and a spot
colour?

With CS2? No. Check your logic.

robert

 

[Robert Latest]

On Mon, 07 Nov 2005 21:17:19 +0000,

It is, but it's not a vector graphics editor. For vector graphics try
Sodipodi, which is The GIMP's vector-based buddy.

I don't know if Sodipodi is still actively maintained. I use Sodipodi's
spinoff, Inkscape.

robert

 

[=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Dav=E9mon?=]

On Tue, 08 Nov 2005 11:55:19 +0000,



With CS2? No. Check your logic.

eh?

 

[=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Dav=E9mon?=]

Nope, not even close. On a side note, I like the graphics you did
(your samples)
tnx!

Did I detect AI, or do you just use PS?

You may well have done! I use PS+AI and Imageready to compress down for
web so thats mostly CS!

 

[Travis Newbury]

You may well have done! I use PS+AI and Imageready to compress down for
web so thats mostly CS!

I use both PS and CS. I LOVE the new live trace feature of CS2. It
saves me a ton of time. Generally I will start in AI and import to PS
for finish everything up. I almost never use image ready.

I am VERY interested in seeing what direction Flash takes now that
Adobe owns it. Flash 8 already supports many of the PS filters. I
think the marriage will be a good one.

 

[Travis Newbury]

Except the OP requested a vector drawing program, and Gimp isn't
one..

Actually the OP refers to both a vector and graphics program in
his/her text, which leads me to believe that they are new to the
graphics side (and the fact they say they are new to it). Because of
this, GIMP is more than capable of handling all their web design
needs.

So while you may be "technically" right, I still believe GIMP is the
right tool for them.