Choosing an Image Editor

Although you can create HTML documents using a free text editor, if you want to get serious about creating your own Web graphics, you will need to get an image editor. Here is a rundown on some of the image editors that are available:

• Jasc Paint Shop Pro at www.jasc.com/ (Windows; $99).

• Ulead PhotoImpact at www.ulead.com/ (Windows; $79).

• Color It! at www.microfrontier.com/ (Macintosh; $49.95). A demo version is available for download (saving and printing is disabled).

• JPhotoBrush Pro at www.tanveer.freeservers.com/JPhotoBrushPro.htm (Java; $29.95). This is a cross-platform image editor (Windows, Macintosh, and Linux/Unix).

• Ability Photopaint at www.ability.com/sales/products/paint.php (Windows; $29.95).

• ImageForge Pro at www.cursorarts.com/ (Windows; $28.95).

• The GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) at www.gimp.org/ (Unix/Linux, Windows, Macintosh, OS/2; GNU General Public License).

• Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements at www.adobe.com/digitalimag/main.html (Macintosh and Windows; $609 and $99). Photoshop Elements, however, may not have all the image editing features you'll want to have.

• Canvas Professional and Canvas SE at www.deneba.com/ (Macintosh and Windows; $349 and $85).

• Corel Painter 8 at www.corel.com/ (Windows and Macintosh; $299).

• Macromedia Fireworks at www.macromedia.com/software/fireworks/ (Windows and Macintosh; $299). It is seamlessly integrated with Macromedia's other products, including Macromedia Flash.

To find additional image editing software that is available for your platform, go to Tucows at www.tucows.com/.