Software for Creating Small-Scale Web Graphics

[abcdefGARY]

Hello,

Can anyone recommend any good software that's best for creating small-sale web graphics? By that, I mean like tabs for websites, or gradients in backgrounds, etc.

I'd also prefer programs that do not have a high learning curve.

I currently use Imageready CS2 but I find it is a little outdated and really buggy on the Mac.

Thanks.

[decksnap]

The best app for this is Fireworks, hands down.

[skyton]

The best app for this is Fireworks, hands down.

i totally second this
photoshop has its uses
but fireworks really is great for web graphics
i also find it much better for slicing, although less good at optomisation of the file size
so i use photoshop for that

[decksnap]

although less good at optomisation of the file size
so i use photoshop for that

I have always found the opposite. Fireworks seems much better for optimization. They do use a different metric for quality- ie an 80 in photoshop is not the same as an 80 in Fireworks. But looking at the actual quality to size ratio, Fireworks has always seemed better.

[abcdefGARY]

I've used Fireworks before, and I found it to be confusing to use compared to Imageready... but I guess that is just me. I'll see if I can get a better experience with FW when I have time later.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[skyton]

I have always found the opposite. Fireworks seems much better for optimization. They do use a different metric for quality- ie an 80 in photoshop is not the same as an 80 in Fireworks. But looking at the actual quality to size ratio, Fireworks has always seemed better.

i have found mixed results
for gifs and pngs i find fireworks is much better
for jpgs its photoshop all the way