1
I started learning Fireworks originally but, after a lengthy argument against my Art lecturer, decided to try what he was using (Photoshop) and I kinda stuck with it since then.
Personal preference; Photoshop, as I feel I can do so much more with it than I ever could with Fireworks. For building raw websites I am sure Fireworks has its advantages but the shear power of Photoshop for all those little details and artwork make all the difference to me; I love colours, textures and the tiniest of details which I feel can only be properly done in Photoshop.
The reality is that you can really use anything to 'design' in... It is how you code and build your site at the end of the day anyway that could make or break.
Personal preference; Photoshop, as I feel I can do so much more with it than I ever could with Fireworks. For building raw websites I am sure Fireworks has its advantages but the shear power of Photoshop for all those little details and artwork make all the difference to me; I love colours, textures and the tiniest of details which I feel can only be properly done in Photoshop.
The reality is that you can really use anything to 'design' in... It is how you code and build your site at the end of the day anyway that could make or break.
1
I know PS and FW very well. Been using FW since i think version 1, and PS since 2.5. Fireworks lacks many of the "Layer Effects" that you get in PS. It has the same Layer Effects features, but they are very limited and not very compatible with PS. You can do just about any visual effect directly in PS, but you're limited with FW. FW does do many things better than PS... Like editable rounded corners, easy and intuitive lines, fills, and patterns. For example, in FW it's obvious how to create a rectangle with no fill. Any beginner can figure it out on their own. But in PS, it's kind of a workaround to get the same effect. What i really like about FW is it's "pages" feature. You can easily design a whole site broken up in pages just like a real site would have. So you don't have to deal with hiding and showing layers like you would in PS. Plus you can add interactivity to the mockup so you or the client can immediately see how navigation works. If FW had ALL the power of PS, while keeping it's great ease of use and specialized web features, then i'd say FW wins. But it doesn't. It's frustrating that i need to go into PS again and again to do certain effects. So at the end of the day, i say PS is the better program for web design.
1
Hi Angela,
That's a good question! I believe that it mostly comes down to personal preference. I would use Photoshop because I'm much more comfortable with it and it's quick and easy. The reasons that Fireworks could be better, though, are 1) it integrates rasters and vectors well, which you will probably want to do when creating a website and 2) it has better image compression, which can be important when creating graphics for the web. See this article: www.webdesignerwall.com for an in-depth comparison of the image compression in Photoshop and Fireworks.
So, I think for the most part it depends on whatever you're more comfortable with, but there are slight advantages to Fireworks.
That's a good question! I believe that it mostly comes down to personal preference. I would use Photoshop because I'm much more comfortable with it and it's quick and easy. The reasons that Fireworks could be better, though, are 1) it integrates rasters and vectors well, which you will probably want to do when creating a website and 2) it has better image compression, which can be important when creating graphics for the web. See this article: www.webdesignerwall.com for an in-depth comparison of the image compression in Photoshop and Fireworks.
So, I think for the most part it depends on whatever you're more comfortable with, but there are slight advantages to Fireworks.
0
0
Fireworks is so much better!! I used photoshop for years, but it just doesn't have the capabilities that Fireworks does in terms of being able to work on multiple pages and versions all within one file.
I use the frames for multiple versions of a page (and share layers between frames for the pieces that need to stay in sync, like say a logo and nav bar). Plus in CS4 you can create separate pages within one file which is basically like having as many documents contained in one as you want! That feature is great for versioning.
For example, you could do a batch of subpage designs for a client, using different frames for each page, and then revise that batch as a page 2 within the same document - SO much easier than separate files in Photoshop.
And beyond all that, the vectors and the ability to get everything pixel-perfect are crucial.
I use the frames for multiple versions of a page (and share layers between frames for the pieces that need to stay in sync, like say a logo and nav bar). Plus in CS4 you can create separate pages within one file which is basically like having as many documents contained in one as you want! That feature is great for versioning.
For example, you could do a batch of subpage designs for a client, using different frames for each page, and then revise that batch as a page 2 within the same document - SO much easier than separate files in Photoshop.
And beyond all that, the vectors and the ability to get everything pixel-perfect are crucial.
0
I do use FireWorks most of the time... And Photoshop when I need to design some complicated photo effects and illustrator for more customised vector designs... But then put everything together in Fireworks which gives a very fast way and easy of doing things.
0
I use Photoshop for create mockups and Fireworks for wireframes and image slicing and optimization. :)
0
It depends on your personal preference. The more you use a tool, the more comfortable you'd b with it. By the way, photoshop is believed to be the best application for designing websites.
0
Fireworks is the best, I've been using it since version 3. I use Photoshop for anything I do with my tablet (check out meridimus.com
0
I think you should go with photoshop, becourse it contains all you need, and sometimes fireworks isnt enough. If you go with photoshop you only need to learn one interface.