Image Creation/Manipulation Tools:
Photoshop:
photographs, raster graphics
Illustrator/Freehand:
vector graphics, type
Fireworks
and Imageready:
Image prep, creation, and optimization for the web. And type.
Flash:
vector and raster graphics, motion, sound, and interactivity (better for vector
graphics)
Director: Shockwave:
vector and raster graphic, motion, sound, and interactivity (better for files
with large raster graphics)