Difference between revisions of "Graphics software"
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=Vector software= | =Vector software= | ||
Vector software is used to create [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics vector graphics]. Common used software is: | Vector software is used to create [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_graphics vector graphics]. Common used software is: | ||
| − | * [http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/main.html?lid=//products//AI+Pdwn Adobe Illustrator] | + | * [http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator/main.html?lid=//products//AI+Pdwn Adobe Illustrator (Windows XP, Vista, OSX 10.4, 10.5)] |
| − | * [http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Products/Display&pfid=1047024307335 Corel Draw] | + | :Adobe Illustrator is a widely used vector illustratio program. Available stand-alone or as part of an Creative Suite with Photoshop and InDesign. A good tutorial for using Illustrator is available [http://localarcade.com/arcade_art/details.php?image_id=223 here]. |
| − | * [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=4054 Sodipodi] | + | * [http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Products/Display&pfid=1047024307335 Corel Draw (Windows XP, Vista)] |
| − | * [http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX010857981033.aspx Microsoft Visio] | + | :CorelDraw is the behemoth of vector design. Maybe not the easiest to work with, but it can make custom true-type fonts, it converts more formats than others and does multi-page as well. The quality of Corel's conversion from bitmap to vector can be a good thing to start with. |
| + | * [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=4054 Sodipodi (Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista, BSD capable platforms like OS X or Linux)] | ||
| + | :Sodipodi is an open source vector design tool. | ||
| + | * [http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX010857981033.aspx Microsoft Visio (Windows XP, Vista)] | ||
| + | :Microsoft visio might be a first available vector illustration program for people using office suites. Like other office programs, Visio lacks working with printer-friendly CMYK inks. Prime colours without screens are hard to define. | ||
| + | * [http://www.adobe.com/products/freehand/ Freehand MX (Windows 98, NT4, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, OS 9.1, OS X 10.0-10.5] | ||
| + | :Freehand is no longer developed since it was acquired by Adobe, but it is still for sale. For hard core artwork designers Freehand's easier pen-tool, multi-page and paste-inside functions alone make it a worthy alternative to Illustrator and save you many hours on recreating artwork. The program is old but supports many operating systems, and is lightning fast on new machines. Tutorial for vectorizing in Freehand can be found [http://www.vectorize.de/tutorial.html here] | ||
=Things to consider when choosing your software= | =Things to consider when choosing your software= | ||
Revision as of 14:23, 6 May 2008
Graphics software are computer programs used by designers to create artwork.
Raster software
Raster software is used to create raster graphics. Common used software is:
Vector software
Vector software is used to create vector graphics. Common used software is:
- Adobe Illustrator is a widely used vector illustratio program. Available stand-alone or as part of an Creative Suite with Photoshop and InDesign. A good tutorial for using Illustrator is available here.
- CorelDraw is the behemoth of vector design. Maybe not the easiest to work with, but it can make custom true-type fonts, it converts more formats than others and does multi-page as well. The quality of Corel's conversion from bitmap to vector can be a good thing to start with.
- Sodipodi is an open source vector design tool.
- Microsoft visio might be a first available vector illustration program for people using office suites. Like other office programs, Visio lacks working with printer-friendly CMYK inks. Prime colours without screens are hard to define.
- Freehand is no longer developed since it was acquired by Adobe, but it is still for sale. For hard core artwork designers Freehand's easier pen-tool, multi-page and paste-inside functions alone make it a worthy alternative to Illustrator and save you many hours on recreating artwork. The program is old but supports many operating systems, and is lightning fast on new machines. Tutorial for vectorizing in Freehand can be found here
Things to consider when choosing your software
There has been much discussion over the years about which programs are better. Keep in mind when you are evaluating a software package to purchase or open source package to use, that you will probably have to output your designs to a professional printer. Not all commercial printers have all programs available, and not all features are compatible with their output hardware. Contact your printer first to make sure they'll be able to use your files.
Another thing to keep in mind when selecting software, is to choose one where you feel yourself most confortable with. If you are familiar with Photoshop, you will probably feel right at home in Illustrator as well. If you are skilled in Visio you can achieve great result even the toolset is more limited than Illustrator's. It all comes down to how well you know the software and how much time you want to invest to learn new skills for a particular software package.
