Graphics creation/acquisition

Every animal on the planet has a unique concept of what is attractive. They also have a concept of what is uncomfortable. Graphics in modern websites deliver many types of media. In fact outside this visual focus, there is the issue of audio that we will only mention in passing. Here are some of my favorite tools of choice. Currently, I am using SnagIt for still screen capture, Camtasia for screen recording, Fireworks for image manipulation and creation, and have experience with some animation tools that will be used for some of the tutorials; there will be more on that on my site and blog. When it comes to capturing photographs and managing them, my favorite tool of choice is Lightroom.

Camtasia Studio

Visit the Camtasia Studio website at http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp.

Camtasia is my favorite screen recording software. When the recording is done, it also gives me the ability to edit my videos. Honestly when recording, it easily fits into the crowd. When we swap to editing, this one rises to the top of the heap. The ability to zoom in and out for specific-size outputs is the best I have used.

Color Schemer

Visit the Color Schemer website at http://www.colorschemer.com/.

This is my tool of choice for doing color schemes, by far my favorite tool for selecting and doing color harmony solutions. If you don't understand how colors work, then use a designer. If you have a clue but not the experience of doing this stuff day in and day out like designers, this tool will make you shine.

Fireworks

Visit the Fireworks website at http://www.adobe.com/products/fireworks/.

I have spoken about prototyping a few times in this book and this is one of the better tools to create web-concept views. There is special technology built into this tool to create master pages and more.

Lightroom

Visit the Lightroom website at http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/.

From the first release of this product, I find myself saying WOW over and over again.

SnagIt

Visit the SnagIt website at http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp.

SnagIt is more than a screen capture program. It organizes and lets me grab pictures how I want. This is one of the best you can get. It is an applications for anyone who documents and shares screen content. The captured editing tool crops, edits, and delivers the content anywhere you want. It also catalogs the images for retrieval later.