Photoshop's not 'for' print, either. I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better program to use for doing graphic design, especially for things that are to remain digital.
Photoshop is a terrific tool for manipulating absolute raster images.
But the web is fluid interpretive hypertext, not PDF! There is a massive impedance mismatch -- if your starting point when you approach the web is an image, you are totally fucked.
Start with hypertextual substance, and add style slowly where appropriate.
I've found Photoshop great for retouching digital photos, but Illustrator far easier for UI mockups. I do not see the benefit of setting anything in pixels until it needs to be.
A possible argument against Photshop (and similar tools) is that they lead you to create a look that you will never ever get quite correct in a Web page. Assorted fonts, kerning, leading, and so on may not be reproducible in CSS.
On the other hand, if you are mindful of these things, it's a big help to have multiple layers and such that you can easily move, swap around, etc.
Agree. you can move elements and groups of elements SO much faster in photoshop/fireworks than in CSS/HTML. The only thing faster is drawing. If you are brainstorming layout with CSS/HTML, you'll run out of steam quick.
Comments
Why not?
Because the web is not print.
Photoshop's not 'for' print, either. I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better program to use for doing graphic design, especially for things that are to remain digital.
Photoshop is a terrific tool for manipulating absolute raster images.
But the web is fluid interpretive hypertext, not PDF! There is a massive impedance mismatch -- if your starting point when you approach the web is an image, you are totally fucked.
Start with hypertextual substance, and add style slowly where appropriate.
I've found Photoshop great for retouching digital photos, but Illustrator far easier for UI mockups. I do not see the benefit of setting anything in pixels until it needs to be.
Good point.
A possible argument against Photshop (and similar tools) is that they lead you to create a look that you will never ever get quite correct in a Web page. Assorted fonts, kerning, leading, and so on may not be reproducible in CSS.
On the other hand, if you are mindful of these things, it's a big help to have multiple layers and such that you can easily move, swap around, etc.
Like any powerful tool, if wielded by the untrained or inexperienced, it can lead to bad results.
Two of the ten points on the list address your concern with fonts.
3. Use Crisp antialiasing on your font layers.
4. Use web safe fonts on any parts of the site with live text.
Agree. you can move elements and groups of elements SO much faster in photoshop/fireworks than in CSS/HTML. The only thing faster is drawing. If you are brainstorming layout with CSS/HTML, you'll run out of steam quick.