Help

[sam_levi_11]

ok i was interested in making a map of argentina but i was wondering, can anyone give me any tips and what program should i use, fireworks? GIMP?
Isnt fireworks expensive?

[e_i_pi]

ok i was interested in making a map of argentina but i was wondering, can anyone give me any tips and what program should i use, fireworks? GIMP?
Isnt fireworks expensive?

Photoshop kicks bottom. If you shop around on the interweb, some people sell it for free

[t-o-m]

ok i was interested in making a map of argentina but i was wondering, can anyone give me any tips and what program should i use, fireworks? GIMP?
Isnt fireworks expensive?

Photoshop kicks bottom. If you shop around on the interweb, some people sell it for free

Also known as 'illegal'

[wcaclimbing]

Photoshop is probably the best, if you have the money for it.
GIMP is the free alternative that lots of mapamakers use.

A few people use fireworks, but I'm pretty sure GIMP is more popular.

[foregone]

I'm on the GIMP and quite happy with it. Its free and does have quite a bit of community support out there.

[cairnswk]

ok i was interested in making a map of argentina but i was wondering, can anyone give me any tips and what program should i use, fireworks? GIMP?
Isnt fireworks expensive?

sam...i use fireworks, most use photoshop (even the free versions), you can also use illustrator, coreldraw, gimp, paintshop pro, there is plenty out there.
for me, it's a matter of how the tools work, and i find that fireworks has the easiest tools, although photoshop has more add-ons.

[sam_levi_11]

well iv downloaded gimp and im slowly getting used to it but im not sure i particularly like it. will try fireworks

[reggie_mac]

And this is why they all have a trial period....
Personally i like to use Photoshop, but I'm also reasonably able with fireworks. If needed i can go Image Ready, GiMP, Freehand, Paint Shop or Illustrator. I'd recommend getting as many possible trials as possible. I wouldn't say any one program is better than the others, they are just different so its comes down to personal choice.

One big thing to look out for is the difference between pixel graphics (photoshop) or vector graphics (freehand) Vector Graphic will be able to transformed, scaled and not loose the quality where as pixel graphics arn't so good, making stuff smaller is ok but when you go bigger it looks bad.

As for the 'illegal software' solution, GiMP is probably your best bet as its free, or keep your eye out on Computer and Photography mags as they sometimes offer SE versions of popular software, these are basically the same thing but a bit cut down, most should still do the job though.