Red-Fern Media’s guide to the best software packages for web design

When it comes to web design it is always good practice to use the very best design tools and software that is available. The better the software the better the results. If you want to design a high quality website then you should use top quality software. The best software applications you should use are:

• Fireworks
• Dreamweaver
• Photoshop
• Flash

Simple to use and very effective you will find yourself becoming addicted to using them. This article explains each application in a little more detail.

Fireworks CS 5.5

This software package is aimed at designers who want to create rapid web design. Built specifically for web designers, using this package will enable the creation of high quality websites that are well laid out and fully optimised. The software enables you to design web layouts, graphics, logos, banners as well as print and graphic designing. An added benefit of Fireworks is that you can optimise images fully then export them into JPEG or GIF format for use on the web without loss of quality.

Features of Fireworks

• The facility to export website prototypes into Dreamweaver CS5.5 as well as being able to directly paste Fireworks objects into Dreamweaver.
• The facility to be able to create a popup menu which you can then save as HTML and CSS.
• Exporting PNG images created in Fireworks directly into Flash Professional CS5.5 while maintaining vectors, bitmaps and animations.
• The functionality to create full animated GIF’s, rollovers, flyouts, auto shapes and lots of other fantastic stuff.

Dreamweaver CS 5.5

If there was only one choice of development software tool available today, chances are it would be Adobe Dreamweaver. Recognised as the best software development tool in the market it is easy to use. If you are looking to produce web content rapidly then this is the software for you.  The software enables you to design, manage, program, update and publish high end state of the art websites with ease. This software packs quite a punch.

The beauty of using Dreamweaver is that HTML code will be generated for you so even if you are a total programming beginner with not much knowledge of development, then this is the software for you. But wait it gets better. The software can also generate web code for dynamic forms to place on the web as well as database link ups. And is compatible with all techniques such as PHP, ASP, XHTML and .NET.
Can it get any better? Yes it can. Dreamweaver has cool inbuilt web design effects which include creating button rollovers, table and table-less CSS design with style sheets, Dreamweaver templates and much more.

Photoshop CS 5.5

This is arguably the best professional photo editing software that can create fantastic effects. Suitable for graphic designers, professional photographers and web designers it doesn’t get better than this.

The software has inbuilt automated tools which provide functionality that slashes the time needed for selecting and compositing as well as live filters that boost the comprehensive, non-destructive editing toolset of Photoshop.

An easy user friendly interface that is streamlined to perfection enables you to work much quicker. If you want more functionality then choose the extended version of the software which gives you additional functionality of introducing 3D effects into your 2D images. These features make this software the most ideal choice for professionals in the field of multimedia, film and video.

Flash Professional CS 5.5

If you create website animations on a daily basis then this software is a must for you.  Developers all around the world will agree that Flash Professional is the number one choice software for web site animation.

Why is it so popular you may ask yourself? Well, the answer is because you can create out of these world animations while still keeping a small file size which enables sites to load quicker. Should you face any problems then don’t worry because there is a huge online community of flash developers in the form of forums ready and waiting to help you with advice, tips as well as online tutorials.

Whatever your requirements, choosing one of these applications will do the job in hand perfectly to give you the very best in web design, graphic design and animation.