I don`t like graphics at all, but I love Fireworks! As a web designer, I need to be able to make graphics. Fireworks enables even someone like me to do it. It took a bit of learning, but once you know what you are doing the features are amazing.
With fireworks, you can create roll - over graphics for web pages very easily, and the integration with Dreamweaver is seamless. You can also compress graphics very easily - you have a range of choices which enable you to pick the best compression for the image, rather than saying `knock 20% off the file size and hope`.
There is a batch conversion feature to allow you to work with a number of graphics in one go, and also a `photo album` option, where you can make an online album just by pointing to a directory with all your photographs in.
The special effects tools will add bevels, glows and textures to shapes simply with a click. Even I can create nifty buttons with it.
The transparancy settings and texture effects can create some good results, and you have plenty of control over how they are applied. The same goes for filters and plug ins.
You can find lots of plug-ins available free for download, and the macromedia website has lots of great additions too.
For a graphics package, it is fairly inexpensive, and, if you buy it with Dreamweaver, it is a brilliant deal. I highly recommend it.