Software question

[avanta7]

Since spouse and I bought each other new laptops for Christmas, and now have really nifty and powerful toys to play with, I'm considering adding Photoshop or something similar to my software arsenal. Mainly, I want a program that will allow me to add captions to or word balloons to photos; and then animate them for LJ userpic purposes. (Isn't that pathetic?)

Currently installed photo/graphics programs are: HP PhotoMovieMaker, HP Photosmart Essential, Microsoft Publisher, Windows Movie Maker, and Muvee6, all of which came with the new toy, and none of which seems to do what I want to do (i.e., make animated icons).

This may be due to operator incompetence, of course, and so I present to you, O Great and Powerful LJ Reading Public, my request for assistance: Which program(s) named above will make nifty animated icons and how does it perform such function; or, if none, which software program(s) do you recommend to do such tasks?

Comments

[shadiehawke.livejournal.com]

I have PaintShop Pro (version 8, which I prefer over version 9, to be honest) and it also comes with JASC Animation Shop...that's what I use to create my icons.

[avanta7.livejournal.com]

Thanks!