Whether you need to create illustrations for print or graphics for the web, these top graphics software programs will give your business the professional edge. Image editing, drawing diagrams, photo enhancement, animated Web graphics - these graphics software programs all offer powerful tools to enhance your creativity. All you need to do is decide which graphics software best suits your needs.
1. Jasc Paint Shop Pro
This graphics software is my number one pick because it has enough features to deliver professional results for the typical business user and is reasonably priced. Paint Shop Pro is also easier and faster to learn than many graphics software programs; you'll find you're able to quickly learn to create images and Web graphics and edit them easily.
2. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 12
This is an excellent graphics software solution for business users because it's a suite of products; CorelDRAW for page layout and illustration, Corel PHOTO-PAINT for image editing and Corel R.A.V.E. for vector animation. I'm hard-pressed to think of anything graphics-related this program won't do, and do well. Suite 12 includes live feedback, SVG support, and some new tools.3. Deneba Canvas Professional 9.0
What I really like about this graphics software is that it's an all-in-one, integrated program designed to do illustration, photo editing, page layout, presentation, and Web graphics. And the program's Sequence recorder gives you more control over the graphics processes you create. Lower priced than some comparable programs, this could be the ideal business graphics software.4. Visio Professional 2002
If your graphics needs include diagramming process flows, network topologies, organizational charts, or facilities plans, this is the graphics software for you. Visio Pro offers comprehensive drawing and diagramming tools and is relatively easy to learn. Technical professionals and business people who need to create graphics for presentations will love this program.5. Adobe PhotoShop CS2
Graphics designers and others who need advanced image editing features will find this graphics software impressive. PhotoShop CS2 offers better file handling, more customizable workspaces and menus, and effortless photo retouching with the spot healing brush, just to name three of the new features in this edition.6. Adobe Illustrator CS2
Billed as the vector graphics standard, this graphics software program is for professionals who need to produce vector graphics for print or the Web. Illustrator CS2 offers powerful new drawing and automation tools, such as Live Trace, which lets you convert bitmap images to scalable, editable artwork in seconds.7. Ulead PhotoImpact XL
If you're mostly concerned with image editing and photo editing, consider PhotoImpact to meet your business's graphic needs. It has drawing and paint tools, of course, but you can also create 3D graphics and use javascript effects for web graphics and create interactive photo slideshows. The price is modest, too, compared to other image editing software. Windows only.