Image Editing

I have this image I need edited, it's a corporate logo-type thing that the people employing me want displayed on their webpage. Only problem is that the only image I have to work with is very "dirty". It's a bitmap image that looks like it maybe had some effects applied to it at some point and anyway it's heavily pixellated. I'd like to clean it up before adding it to the webpage. Any suggestions?

Currently Im using Macromedia Fireworks to do it up as best I can. I've cleaned up some of the easier parts and am now in the process of going through the remainder pixel by pixel. I have access to the whole Macromedia suite, but Im rather inexperienced when it comes to graphics. I'd appreciate any input. Here's the original image:

I find Photoshop to be the best. Is this any better for you?

edit. Forgot about the bevel, 2nd one's better.

photoshop rulz

we should do our own photshop phriday in here :D (somethingawful.com if you dont know what Im talkin about)

Thanks Dar. Like I said I dont have Photoshop I have Fireworks which seems pretty similar but I am far from an expert in these matters. I am a programmer not a graphic designer. Out of curiousity how long did it take you to do those and what sort of method did you use?

Thanks Dar. Like I said I dont have Photoshop I have Fireworks which seems pretty similar but I am far from an expert in these matters. I am a programmer not a graphic designer. Out of curiousity how long did it take you to do those and what sort of method did you use?
Ten minutes to be honest. Just used the magic wand and delete, eraser in around the tight areas, then created a duplicate layer to use for the bevel.

fez, I'm all for Photoshop challenges if you get enough people involved.

fez, I'm all for Photoshop challenges if you get enough people involved.

Well it wouldnt be challenges as such, just who can make the funniest image :D

Im trying to set one up on a board I made for my university magazine since the somethingawful.com forums you have to pay for...

Ten minutes to be honest. Just used the magic wand and delete, eraser in around the tight areas, then created a duplicate layer to use for the bevel.

fez, I'm all for Photoshop challenges if you get enough people involved.

Sweet, I'm up for that as well. If I find a good pic, I'll post a challenge, but where to put it?

Sweet, I'm up for that as well. If I find a good pic, I'll post a challenge, but where to put it?

Well we could ask the Mods to create us our own PhotoshopPhriday section or you could go here (http://s6.invisionfree.com/Craccum/index.php?showforum=9) Im trying to start up a weekly photoshop thing there for my university magazine BB.

I already have a TON of ideas for weekly themes and for the magazine we are going to try keep everything in tune with what the weekly theme will be for the upcoming issue.

The first Photoshop Phriday is underway, it might not relate to you guys too much, but Im sure u can do something with it.

http://s6.invisionfree.com/Craccum/index.php?showtopic=29