Some design software buying advice needed...

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d8n_two

Registered
I'm in the process of buying all new design software in order to take a Web site and magazine that I run "to the next level". I've been using a lot of trial software that a colleague of mine picked up a trade show for me including Flash MX, Photoshop 7, GoLive 6, and Indesign 2.0. These trials are supposed to expire soon. So, I need some advice on what I should get. Here's what I need: a) WYSIWYG HTML editor; b) vector graphic app; c) photo-editor (will be PS 7); d) Flash animation app; e) page layout app (this doesn't have to be in the package, but it would be nice). Here are my initial questions:

1) Does academically priced software have the full features of its commercially-priced counterpart? I ask this because I'm a grad student and have access to student pricing, but might be willing to pay more if the feature set is not equal.

2) GoLive or Dreamweaver? I've used GoLive, but not Dreamweaver. Some people I talk to say DW is the better choice. The reason I ask this is if GL & DW are virtually equal, I'm likely to choose the Adobe Web Collection and Flash MX stand-alone rather than Studio MX. If DW is better, I might buy Adobe Design Collection that includes InDesign 2.0 (rather than GL & LiveMotion) and Studio MX.

3) How does LiveMotion stand up for creating interactive animations? Does it even compare to Flash?

Due to both publishing deadlines and time limitation on some grant money I've recieved, I don't really have much time to play with demos and such myself. So, I'd appreciate any advice you guys might be able to give me.

d8n_two
 
Other people here are probably more outspoken, and experienced in this area. But I thought I would throw out that I've had great experience with Corel Graphics Suite 10 , 11 is out soon, and should be priced very competetively.

Just thought I'd throw that out.
 
I bought the Adobe Web Collection (Educational Version) and I think they are great. I have used Dreamweaver a little, but I really like LiveMotion and GoLive. And the thing is you can not go wrong with the price $350.00 for Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive, and LiveMotion. That package is fully integrated which is very nice.

Also the Educational Version is a complete version. Just for students and teachers.


Matthew


:: inlineguy.com ::
 
Here is the software I use, and believe me this is the best because i stand for no less :p

Adobe Photoshop 7 (Graphics)
Macromedia Freehand 10 (Vector)
Macromedia Flash MX (Vector Web Animation)

For a magazine I would probably use Freehand or if you wanna go professional take a look at Quark Xpress (I think thats what it is still called :rolleyes: ) but be prepared to pay a lot for that!

In reply to your questions:

1) Academic versions are the full product, simply just a different license and sometimes a little more documetation.

2) Dreamweaver definately, especially if you can get ya hands on MX which has just come out! I recommend learning HTML as well and then work your way up into the world of Javascript, PHP, ASP. (A good tip for web designers, stay away from DHTML).

3) Flash definately! Especially if you are going to be doing vector work. The file sizes of Flash are miniute and it is so easy to work with :)

Good Luck :)
Feel free to contact me for more info via PM
 
Just remember to read the license on education-version software carefully. In some situations, you may not be able to use it for profit without breaching the license. I don't know of any case of somebody being sued over this, but the provisions are there. Hypothetically, if you wrote a book in an educational version of MS Office, and then sold it for millions of dollars, you'd better go out and get a full version of Office and swear blind that is what you used, lest MS decide to take their share.
Educational software is full featured and brilliantly priced, and I've never heard of anyone getting in that kind of trouble, but read the fine print.

I've had good experience with Adobe, Macromedia and Corel products, though I don't think Corel is exactly suited to your needs in this case. I'd start with the Adobe suite, and bring in the Macromedia suite later, when you can afford it.
 
1) Does academically priced software have the full features of its commercially-priced counterpart? I ask this because I'm a grad student and have access to student pricing, but might be willing to pay more if the feature set is not equal.
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They are indeed the same. But as others have mentioned, you might want to read the license agreement. Most academically priced software is meant to learn the software or to be used in a class environment only.

2) GoLive or Dreamweaver? I've used GoLive, but not Dreamweaver. Some people I talk to say DW is the better choice. The reason I ask this is if GL & DW are virtually equal, I'm likely to choose the Adobe Web Collection and Flash MX stand-alone rather than Studio MX. If DW is better, I might buy Adobe Design Collection that includes InDesign 2.0 (rather than GL & LiveMotion) and Studio MX.
Click to expand...

I use both, but I mainly use GoLive. It's a bit easier to learn and use, in my opinion. Dreamweaver has a higher learning curve, but some say it has more capabilities than GoLive. If it does I haven't seen them.

Honestly, you're not going to be missing out if you choose GoLive. A lot of people use that as their primary GUI HTML editor.

3) How does LiveMotion stand up for creating interactive animations? Does it even compare to Flash?
Click to expand...

Be warned, I'm a bit of a Flash loyalist. Adobe does put out some great software in my opinion, but there are a few key areas that I feel Adobe falls short (ie page layout) and I think this is one of them. I used LiveMotion before it was called that. I'm drawing a blank on the name... but I seem to remember it wasn't all that great of an application. I'm sure it has improved a lot since then. Flash is not that difficult to learn, there are plenty of sources for learning. I am writing a tutorial myself (plug, plug) which will be a part of a series of tutorials. So my money is on Flash MX, but I'd like to hear from the LiveMotion crowd, because as I mentioned before I'm a Flash loyalist and that has an influence on my opinion. :p
 
Thanks every one for the advice. The project that I'm working on is a non-profit, academic project so I'm almost certain an education license would due. I was really more concerned with features than anything else in terms of academic v. consumer.

If anyone does have experience with LiveMotion compared to Flash I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks,

d8n_two
 
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