http://www.stripegenerator.com/
Generates strips (images that can be used for strip background and ect…), it has a bunch of controls that you can use to see in real time how the strips will look.
The website’s design is nice as well.
http://www.axialis.com/docs/iw/What_is_an_Image_Object.htm
Goes over how to create windows xp/mac looking (3-D looking) buttons and graphics
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/PHP/Image-Manipulation/1
This site has a bunch of links to tutorials that cover how to manipulate images in PHP.
The website also has other tutorials.