. . . are you creative types using to make all of those fantastic signature banners?

I want to try my hand at making one but I don't know where to start. I don't have to go out and buy Photoshop do I? Is there a free (or cheap) internet site I can go to to make mine?

Help a luddite out.

Thanks in advance.

I utilize Adobe Photoshop CS2.

But there is a program I've heard of that is supposed to be pretty good. It's called the Gimp, have a few friends who swear by it. You can download it for free here: http://www.gimp.org/

I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 too

I also heard good things about Gimp and another freeware program Paint.net get really good ratings. http://www.getpaint.net/download.html

I use PSP (Paint Shop Pro).

If you want a free alternative to these photoshop programs you can go to gimp.org and download "the gimp" which is a free program that works alot like photoshop & you can even download brushes , textures for it etc. A good place to find the brushes for it (and even for photoshop) is www.deviantart.com - if you want any other suggestions let me know.

I have photoshop CS3, and found that I can do pretty much anything in the gimp that I can do on CS3, and its free so why not give it a try first!

Abt the GIMP site, is it easy to do blends there?

I use Adobe Photoshop PS3, and I bought it with a massive discount from my university. If you are in school, it might be worth it to check out what kind of offers you can get. The upgrades are very affordable, too.

I also use a digital tablet from Wacom (www.wacom.com) for pressure-sensitive painting. I am a pretty serious graphic design hobbyist; the tablet is a necessity! A mouse does not cut it!

Corel Paint Shop Pro X2.

I use PS CS2 too! =D

I guess GIMP is also a pretty similar program and could also make great banners too. So I suggest that. And it's free, so yeah. I think it's mucho more easier to use.

It's super easy to use to make blends, actually thats one of the easiest things to do on it!! if you need any help you can ask me for sure, I'd be more than happy to help you through it



also, its not a site, its an actual downloadable program

I'm currently looking for a tutorial...so can you please help me out...?

Just wondering if anyone has had any problems when they downloaded Gimp. I tried downloading it and five hors later I am still trying to get rid of a virus/trojan that has decided to hijack my computer! I really want to have a go at making some graphics and just want to make sure these downloads are usually ok. I don't know if it was just co-incidental but I havent had any nasties on my computer for a couple of years!

Any advice, or has anyone else had this happen??

it's more than likely coincidental ive had the gimp for over 4 years now, downloading it on numerous occasions on diff. computers and never had a problem w/ a virus.



uhm, there are some awesome tutorials on www.deviantart.com (i plug that site often lol) but soon as i get on my pc i can give you some better pointers because i dont have it on the mac =/

I use both Gimp and MS Paint lol... if you know how to use it, Paint can be pretty good xD

Thnx...cuz im really lost at that site....till then, ill explore the software on my own first...

I swear by my PSP7, its what I've used for almost five years now

been using PS CS2 for about a year now, PS 7 about 2 years before that. i really love it. i feel like i haven't even learned the tip of the iceberg of what you can do in photoshop.

I'll give you guys big props..I download the Gimp and can't make heads or tails of it.I so wanna learn how to use this stuff but just can't understand it(guess it doesn't help that I have a learning disability)the only site I can make heads or tails of is this one
http://www6.lunapic.com/animation-factory/
oh well guess I will just continue to admire all your guys amazing work!

Thanks for links guys. I wasn't even able to download gimp. But I did download Paint.Net and as you can see, I made myself a banner. So, what do you arteests think? Not bad for a first try? Or is the offcenter text too much of a distraction?

I use adobe photoshop cs2. =] You can also use psp [paint shop pro]
I haven't posted my graphics here, 'cause im new.. haha.