Can someone recommend an inexpensive image creator/editor?

I am used to using FireWorks and PhotoShop, however, they are way out of my price range.

I have tried GIMP and invested about 40 hours of my time with it and found it basically useless and cumbersome.

I need something where I can create simple images using text and imported images (jpg and gif) and be able to save them as such. Create buttons, etc.

Would like other basic features such as resizing, transforming, rotating and a few special effects would be nice.

Thanks.

If you like PhotoShop, give Photoshop Elements a try. I also PaintShop Pro. They are both pretty good for the enthusiast.

And just for the record... CC is working on just this sort of thing. Right now you can get the "Lite" version of Web Image Studio (when you buy certain WISP graphics packs). The "Lite" version is pretty basic, but the FULL version should be great, knowing CC's track record and all. I do know that one thing that is on the table to be included in the FULL version is the ability to handle jpg's and png's. There are several discussions going on in the forums about it, and might be some articles too.

For a good all around image editor with more capability then you'll ever use but know that you can do one of Toms suggestions. Photoshop Elements. The one thing I like is the photo merge group shot. You can have two photos side by side then pick the good parts from one photo to put in the other making one good group shot from two bad pics. Quick easy tutorial search right from the application is also great.

One program that is cake to use and is quite powerful, is Photoscape. It may not have some of the stuff that other programs have but for what you mention there it can do all that and it's free. I agree I can't get used to GIMP either doesn't matter how many times I try.

Thanks to all who responded.

Found Photoscape and it seems to do just what I want.

I have CC's Web Image Studio, but it only seemed to want to let me edit images from the templates and not create a new one or import anything.

Yeah Mark, with the current "Lite" version, it is pretty limited. You SHOULD be able to create NEW images, although they are pretty basic with set shapes being your only tool (not free-form lines). I believe that an import (other than .wif files) option for .jpg's and such will be included in the FULL version, which CC is currently working on.

Mark, Laughingbird Software makes a few cool programs for creating and manipulating graphics. Easy to use, and affordable. Google them for more info.