Banners, what program do you use to make them?

I was woundering what program people use here to make banners, i use Paint Shop Pro but i want something better so i can get better results. So i was wondering what everyone else uses to make theres.. So what program do you use to make your banners?

Most people probably use some version of Adobe Photoshop.

I use Ulead PhotoImpact.

I use GIMP.  And I'm quite good at it.  I think Photoshop is a little overrated while GIMP is underrated.  While photoshop has some features that the GIMP does not the GIMP can pull off some amazing works.  But go with whatever you feel comfortable with.  I can't tell you what to get. lol

I use photoshop for my work.

photoshop cs2

Like pretty much everyone said, Photoshop CS2 would be your best bet. The pen tool can make some pretty cool stuff.

Photoshop 7 FTW

fireworks/flash

for some reason flash's drawing tools seem to give my best style of anything. pretty much any image you see made by me has been made in flash. i use fireworks when i need some of the tools flash doesnt have.

Maybe ill try PhotoShop CS3 then.. Thanks for the ideas and help..

If you have the money then get Photoshop...and if you have the balls then get a cracked version.  But if you wanna save money and be legal then GIMP is the way to go. lol

Yeah, GIMP is supposedly more powerful than Photo Shop.
But I'm used to GIMP and Paint.Net. Both are very useful, never got into Photo Shop, always seemed way to complicated to do one thing...Flash is a nice thing too, flash gives a cartoony style, and there isn't much else...

I have the free vesion of gimp, i dont use it much.. I only used it for spriting now i just use PSP (Paint Sop Pro).. I wasnt to good with it and it didnt seem to have alot of options to use.. Im suprised the results you get mangadude5760.. Anyway ill have a look in google to see what CS3 has to offer.

I don't know if GIMP is more powerful buuuuut it can content with it! That's for sure buddy! Haha! lol
Thanks Zainox.  I work teh magic! lol 

I have the free vesion of gimp, i dont use it much.. I only used it for spriting now i just use PSP (Paint Sop Pro).. I wasnt to good with it and it didnt seem to have alot of options to use.. Im suprised the results you get mangadude5760.. Anyway ill have a look in google to see what CS3 has to offer.

Naah, you gotta get used to it. Mess around with it, or it's useless, unless you're going to learn it, there's no point in getting it and keeping it.

It's not too user friendly, as first, that's why everybody acts like it's something really special when you pull off something sweet with it.

  im trying to get  photo impact... and if its ---- ... im getting GIMP

EDIT by Arrow-1: Go ahead and swear, we don't mind.

PAINT

Photoshop CS3.

If free, I suggest GIMP.

I used to use  PS 2.0 Elements which was heaps easy but now I use CS2 even though I hate it =P

~Winged

Has anyone here used both Pain Shop Pro and Photoshop so they can compare to see what one is better?

paint shop pro is mainly used by web designers and stylists. If you want to makea banner with cool effects, Photoshop 7 is the ideal choice. CS3 might have more stuff, but it's more difficult to work on than 7 is.

Has anyone here used both Pain Shop Pro and Photoshop so they can compare to see what one is better?

Paint Shop Pro has better color selection, good for simple banners.
Photoshop is crazy shit that can ruin you or bring you to greatness

I use Photoshop 6 XD