Fireworks vs Photoshop

Forgot to mention, both CAN be used to design quality web graphics, it's more of a 'personal preference'.

 

Macromedia developed Fireworks for the single purpose of creating web graphics and the program has bitmap (pixel-based) editing and vector graphics capability.

Photoshop is mainly pixel-based although it also has a few vector tools. However, for web graphics, Fireworks is much more intuitive and flexible and the program is much easier to learn than Photoshop.

Some advantages of one program over the other;

Photoshop:

- Photo editing
- Graphics are a little more dynamic in their colour range
- More options in terms of graphic effects and filters

Fireworks:

- Very flexible and intuitive. Less cluttered interface. Much lower learning curve.
- Due to intuitiveness, the program is a dream for mocking up and designing websites
- Tight integration with Dreamweaver

Both programs are excellent web tools. I use both.

A very good book on Fireworks is "Playing with Fire".

 

...and most people used to think the Earth was flat.

I use Fireworks for images.

It's almost funny to see the Photoshop people say "I can't figure out Fireworks!", and the Fireworks people say "I can't figure out how to use Photoshop for the life of me!"

The one you first start with is the one you are likely to stick with.
...

..

.

Adobe Fireworks is the industry leader for prototyping and rapid web-site building.

Nice list of Fireworks Tutorials Here

 

I always give my vote to a more simple and less heavy application. So, my vote goes to Fireworks.

 

I found a site (can't remember what it is) but it was a blog I got linked to from adobe that actually explained what fireworks did. It is a cross between illustrator and photoshop. I can't remember what its called, but it allows you to edit using bit map or the other thing. The other thing is from illustrator which allows you to re size an image without messing up its clarity. Or something along those lines lol. Try www.tutvid.com

Edit: VECTOR! Thats what its called lol.

 

Yes, Fireworks handles both vector graphics, and many formats for 'pictures'.