Illustrator
Introducing Illustrator, Adobe’s flagship vector graphics and design software, sets industry standards in innovative graphic design. Renowned for its resourcefulness, Illustrator provides an extensive suite of creative tools for both mobile and product graphics, and a variety of editing processes customize visual work seamlessly.
Illustrator Top Features
- Advanced vector graphic capabilities for creating pixel-perfect designs.
- Collaboration features for real-time co-creation and version tracking.
- Customizable designs with free-form gradients, shapes, and photos.
- Dynamic creation of typography with 18,000+ fonts, including variable and color fonts.
- Seamless interaction with other Adobe software through Adobe Creative Cloud integration.
| Key Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| SVG, PNG, OpenDocument, PDF, PSD file formats export | Compatibility with various design softwares |
| Regularly updated templates | Efficiency in designing social media, presentation, resume, and invitation visuals. |
| Cloud synchronization | Access designs from desktop or iPad, anytime, anywhere. |
Illustrator Downsides
- High learning curve
- Resources heavy on systems, potentially slowing down processing speed.
- Complex for beginners, requiring significant learning and adjustment.
Illustrator Pricing
With packages tailored to specific user demands, Illustrator extends plans for individuals at $19.99 per month, while businesses can access its functionalities for $29.99 per month. A 7-day free trial allows users to experience the program before purchase.
Illustrator Use Cases
Use case 1: Professional Illustrators
Pro and semi-pro illustrators who desire precision and large font options will find Illustrator’s detailed typography tools invaluable. With 18,000+ fonts and sophisticated shape tools, the artist’s creativity meets limitless potentials.
Use case 2: Web Designers
Web designers can easily utilize Illustrator’s advanced vector capabilities to create crisp and scale-proof visuals for every browser resolution, ensuring optimal user experience.
Use case 3: Graphic Design Students
Aspiring graphic designers learning from the industry-standard software can greatly hone their skills due to the software’s high learning curve, advancing from beginners to pros with constant tweaking and exploration.
Photoshop
Photoshop, a product of Adobe, is often synonymous with image editing and graphic design. Released in 1988, it has evolved into a powerful tool widely embraced by professionals for its expansive capabilities in raster graphics editing.
Photoshop Top Features
- Layers and Adjustment Layers: Enhances creative control with independent editing on different parts of an image.
- History Panel: Allows for easy undo or tweaks of previous steps.
- Clone Stamp and Healing Brush Tools: For seamless corrections and manipulations.
- Color Balance, Levels, Curves and Blending Modes: Provides extensive color and tone adjustment options.
| Latest Version | Photoshop 2022 (version 23.3.1) |
| File Formats | PSD, PSB, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF |
| Additional Capabilities | Text, vector graphics, 3D graphics, video editing. |
Photoshop Limitations
- Learning Curve: With a vast toolbox, it might require substantial time to master.
- Pricing: Not the best fit for budget-conscious amateurs or hobbyists.
Photoshop Use Cases
Use case 1
Graphic Designers and Illustrators: Multilayered editing and diverse toolset make Photoshop a go-to solution for creating complex designs and digital art pieces.
Use case 2
Web Developers: Alongside the ability to design logos and layouts, it supports the creation of web-appropriate file types like JPEG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF.
Use case 3
Photographers: From light retouching to extensive manipulations, Photoshop offers a powerful platform for enhancing and transforming photography work.
Figma
Stemming from an idea that took root at Brown University, Figma emerged in 2012 with a noble agenda: empowering creativity for everyone with free, simple, and accessible tools. Fast forward to the present, this powerhouse of collaborative interface design is recognized for its ground-breaking approach to real-time collaboration in design.
Figma Top Features
- Web and offline access via desktop applications.
- Real-time collaboration features for seamless team engagement.
- Versioning system for easy management of design revisions.
- Integration with Slack for streamlined team communication.
- Development of Team Libraries for consistency in design systems.
- Whiteboarding software, FigJam, for enhanced ideation and brainstorming.
- Developer APIs for seamless integration with browser-based apps.
- Compatibility with any OS running a web browser.
- Easy file, project, and version management to ensure design confidentiality.
| Partnered with Google for Education | Enables Figma’s utilization on educational Chromebooks, ultimately promoting creativity in learning. |
| Figma Community | Broadens the scope of collaborative engagement by enabling publication of design work for shared utility. |
| Compatibility with Zeplin | Fosters detailed collaboration beyond basic measurement and CSS display. |
Figma Limitations
- The potential forceful integration with Adobe Creative Cloud post-Adobe acquisition has raised concerns within the design community.
- The acquisition may lead to an unfavorable business model that could affect user experience.
- The deal, costing around $20 billion, has been criticized for possibly reducing competition and being overpriced.
Figma Pricing
As part of its objective to democratize creativity, Figma offers various pricing tiers. These include Free, Professional, Organization, and Enterprise plans with features corresponding to the pricing.
Figma Use Cases
Use Case 1: Team-based Design Projects
Figma’s real-time collaboration feature resonates seamlessly with team-based design projects, ensuring every team member remains on the same page.
Use Case 2: Educational Purposes
With partnership with Google for Education, Figma now powers creativity on educational Chromebooks, aiding students and teachers in exploring the realms of design.
Use Case 3: Third-party Integrations
Figma makes a wonderful ally for third-party tool integrations, demonstrated by its compatibility with popular tools like Slack and Uber’s live design file displays.
PowerPoint: The Timeless Pioneer
Crackle your knuckles, ladies and gents, as we delve into the maverick legacy of Microsoft PowerPoint. Born from the minds of Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin, PowerPoint has left an indelible mark on us since its debut in 1990.
PowerPoint’s Killer Features
- AI-enhanced presentations for optimal pacing, word choice, and more.
- Interactive features offer voice capability, touch, and inking on slides.
- Shared project collaboration and real-time editing process tracking.
Beyond bullet points, PowerPoint showcases a myriad of dynamic capabilities designed to elevate your presentations.
| Design tools | PowerPoint knows aesthetics are crucial. Fear no color palette or font with its extensive design tools. |
| Advanced spelling and grammar | No more cringy typos. PowerPoint’s advanced spelling and grammar features will sift through your content with surgeon-like precision. |
PowerPoint Drawbacks
- The learning curve. To fully exploit PowerPoint’s features, you need to invest a fair amount of time learning the ropes.
- Subscription pricing. While there’s a temporary free version for web, iOS, and Android apps, sustaining full-feature access will require moving onto their subscription packages.
- Spotty cross-platform compatibility. PowerPoint’s full features don’t transfer well onto some cross-platform scenarios, specifically on open-source systems.
PowerPoint Pricing
Hold onto your wallets! PowerPoint’s licensings offer different ranges, from individual to family-business involvement. Subscription prices hover between $6.99/month and $9.99/month, providing both web access and the chocolaty goodness of a desktop app.
PowerPoint Use Cases
The Corporate Gladiators
When it comes to hijacking the boardroom’s attention, PowerPoint is your weapon of choice. Its varied design capabilities and vast template database are a godsend while creating compelling project report presentations.
The Edu-Warriors
Be it for crafting attention-holding lectures or for students preparing capstone projects, PowerPoint’s features to seamlessly incorporate images, videos, and intricate diagrams, make it the unsung hero of the academic realm.
The Non-Profit Champions
For the noble non-profits wrestling colossal issues, PowerPoint serves as a medium to convincingly present stirring ideas, thereby garnering needed public support and funding. The ability to visually communicate complex problems makes it a game-changer.
Adobe Express
Rebranded as Adobe Express, previously Adobe Spark, this cloud-based design tool specializing in high-quality designs made a strong relaunch in December 2021. Leveraging AI-assisted technology, it’s free to download, no credit card required.
Adobe Express Top Features
- Thousands of AI-recommended templates for exceptional, standout content.
- Easy-to-use one-click actions for image conversion, video reversal, and image resizing or cropping.
- Massive stock image library spanning across a variety of categories like wellness, seasons, travel, and more.
- User-friendly graphic editor for seamless insertion, removal, replacement, and editing of design elements.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand Manager Tool | For effective business brand management. |
| Project Management Tool | Keeps tracks of all designs, controls permissions. |
| Integrated scheduling | Enables post timing setting for social media marketers. |
Adobe Express Disadvantages
- More advanced tools and templates, along with access to the entire Adobe Stock photo collection requires premium membership at $9.99/month.
- While the free plan is effective, it may fall short for professionals requiring expansive design needs.
Adobe Express Pricing
Adobe Express follows a tiered pricing model. The basic plan is free to use. Its premium membership costs $9.99/month which unlocks more features, libraries, and effects. Over time, the premium plan is stated to be less expensive compared to other graphic designing tools.
Adobe Express Use Cases
Use Case 1: Professional Graphic Designing
Adobe Express supports professional graphic designers with its vast library of templates, tools, and images, simplifying the creation of logos, flyers, posters, and more.
Use Case 2: Marketing
This design tool is highly useful for marketers needing to create impactful social media posts, ads, and campaigns with easy customization options and timing control.
Use Case 3: Education
Adobe Express supports the Education sector by offering easy-to-use tools for presentations, image and video editing, and book cover creation.
Microsoft Designer
Meet Microsoft Designer, an AI-based design application that uses algorithmic gusto to transform simple descriptions into creative graphics. It’s not just another design tool; it’s a choice companion for your digital design quests, whether for social media graphics or simply spicing up your digital workspace.
Top Features of Microsoft Designer
- AI-driven graphic design that generates unique art from your descriptions.
- Interconnectivity with Microsoft 365 software suite and other Microsoft apps for a cohesive creative experience.
- Integration with DALL-E 2, an OpenAI web-based app, for image generation.
- Design Ideas feature for personalized layout suggestions based on your content.
- Automatic creation of written captions and hashtags for social media posts.
- Customizable design resizing up to 20 different social media layout sizes.
- Motivational animations for engaging designs and useful photo editing tools.
- Cloud-based auto-save mechanism and a variety of file-type export options, including PNG, JPG, and PDF.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| AI-Driven Graphic Design | Generates unique visuals |
| Interoperability with other MS Apps | Unified ecosystem |
| Automatic Caption Creation | Saves time and increases engagement |
Limitations of Microsoft Designer
- Currently, Microsoft Designer does not support collaboration features like its competitors, Adobe Express and Canva.
- It does not support diverse project types like slide decks or websites, features available in Canva, and Adobe Express’s advanced capabilities.
Microsoft Designer Pricing
Initiate your creative journey with Microsoft Designer through its limited web app version completely free. Should you yearn for a fuller experience, opt for the paid Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plan, starting annually at $69.99.
Use Cases for Microsoft Designer
Social Media Content Creation
Microsoft Designer’s pre-designed and custom resizable layouts, combined with its auto-captioning, make it a potent tool for creating compelling visuals for different social media platforms.
Boost Project Creativity
Incorporate creative visuals into your project work. The AI-driven design options generate personalized content based on user’s descriptions, making it a stellar addition to your ideation phase.
Digital Marketing
Use the algorithmic prowess of Microsoft Designer for your digital marketing efforts. From designing promotional visuals to auto-generating captions, the software levels up your marketing game.
Google Slides
If Microsoft PowerPoint is the grand old dame of presentation tools, then Google Slides is the hip, tech-savvy niece who prefers working on-the-go, online or even offline. Known explicitly for its collaboration perks, Google Slides is like a Swiss army knife in the realm of presentations.
Google Slides Best Features
- Real-time sharing and editing: Share your work with your team and edit synchronously, reducing the hassle of version conflicts.
- Data Security-encrypted: Keeps your data secure, encrypted in transit and rest, chilling like a martini – shaken, not stirred.
- Integration with Google Apps: Drag and drop items from Google Drive, fortify data with sheets, and meet easier with Google Meet integration.
- Offline Access: Stuck in an area with spotty Wi-Fi? Not to worry, Google Slides has got your offline back!
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Smart Compose and Autocorrect | Like having a mini proofreader sitting in your computer! |
| Extensive Template Selection | No need to fret over design. Just pick one and slide into your presentation preparation. |
| All-Device Accessibility | Sneak in some work on your smartphone or tablet. Who says you need a laptop to work? |
Google Slides Limitations
- Functionality Limits: While Google Slides caters to most typical needs, for those seeking more sophisticated features, it can sometimes feel a bit in the shallow end.
- Design Preference: While Google Slides offers a variety of templates, if you’re a fan of PowerPoint’s aesthetic, you might find it slightly less satisfying.
Google Slides Pricing
While Google Slides is essentially free, it comes as part of the Google Workspace package which does have pricing tiers, depending on your business needs.
Google Slides Use Cases
Use case 1: Educators
Teachers can use Google Slides to create engaging lessons and share them in real-time with students—or even ask the class to collaborate on a slide deck.
Use case 2: Business Meetings
Take the dread out of business meetings with interactive presentations that your team can collaborate on—live. No more death by PowerPoint!
Use case 3: Students
With Google Slides, students can easily collaborate on group projects, creating a visually appealing presentation to wow their classmates and professor.
Canva
Embark on a journey through the digital corridors of Canva, an online graphic design tool sprung forth from Australian innovation in 2013. With an impressive coterie of 100 million users worldwide, Canva eloquently weaves together functionality and flair for both novices and seasoned designers.
Canva Top Features
- Drag-and-drop design: Redefining simplicity and convenience in the realm of design.
- Custom fonts, frames, shapes, grids, icons: Tools crafted for individuality and distinctiveness.
- Pre-built templates: Bridge between inspiration and creation, across diverse formats.
- Photo editing: The key to visual storytelling and unleashing creativity.
- Magic Write: An AI-powered copywriting assistant, launched 2023, that aids in penning compelling narratives.
| Notable Acquisitions | Key Offerings |
|---|---|
| Pixabay, Pexels, Kaleido.ai, Smartmockups | Canva Free, Canva for Education, Canva for Nonprofit |
| Canva Pro, Canva for Enterprise |
Canva Limitations
- The 2019 data breach affecting approximately 139 million users raises questions about data security.
- While predominantly intuitive, the platform could present a learning curve for less tech-savvy individuals.
Canva Pricing
Canva puts forth a nuanced model of pricing. The universally accessible Canva Free, Canva for Education, and Canva for Nonprofit versions provide a free-of-cost solution. For premium offerings, Canva Pro starts at $12.99 per month for the first user, and $6.99/month for additional users whereas Canva Enterprise unfolds at $30 per month.
Canva Use Cases
Use Case 1: Small Businesses
With its pre-built templates and drag-and-drop functionality, Canva empowers small businesses to produce captivating marketing content, thereby driving engagement and growth.
Use Case 2: Educational Institutions
Engage students in a new era of dynamic and visually appealing learning via Canva for Education – a canvas to draw on for enriching pedagogy.
Use Case 3: Charitable Organizations
Canva for Nonprofits assists organizations in crafting compelling narratives and impactful communications without stretching their budgets.
CorelDraw
Get ready to meet CorelDRAW, a powerhouse professional design suite taking the world by storm. An all-in-one tool for vector illustration, layout, photo editing, and typography, CorelDRAW has won over industry sectors from retail to arts and engineering. Whether you need a simple subscription option or want in on the newest features these tech mavericks have to offer, CorelDRAW has got you covered.
CorelDraw Top Features
- Featuring Focus Mode, which allows you to edit objects in splendid isolation.
- An advanced Print Merge workflow. An unprecedented killer feature in the industry.
- The capability to apply color to fills and outlines. Color evokes emotions and sets the tone of your design.
- AI-assisted PowerTRACE for next-level bitmap-to-vector trace results.
- A multi-asset export – managing your digital assets like never before.
| Exclusive Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Non-destructive editing of bitmaps and vectors | Prevent irreversible alteration to your original work. A godsent for graphic designers and other creatives. |
| Flexible design space, multi-page view | Boosts productivity and enhances your design workflow. |
| Color consistency across different media | Ensuring optimal print and web design output. No more color mishaps across different platforms. |
CorelDraw Disadvantages
- CorelDRAW’s robust feature set might seem overwhelming for some users.
- While dynamic and advanced, some users report a slight learning curve to become proficient.
CorelDraw Pricing
Loyalty deserves reward. CorelDRAW offers both subscription and one-time purchase options. Pricing is designed to align with user needs and industry standards. No more paying for features you don’t need.
CorelDraw Use Cases
Use case 1
For graphic professionals in large corporations, CorelDRAW serves as a critical tool. It allows for brand identity creation, large-format printing, and digital advertising design.
Use case 2
Smaller businesses and creatives can harness CorelDRAW for catalyzing their unique ideas into reality. Be it textile design or sales tool creation, CorelDRAW stands tall in versatility.
Use case 3
In digital spaces, consistency is key. For web designers, CorelDRAW ensures color consistency across different media for optimal web design output. Leading-edge technology at your fingertips!
GIMP
GIMP, standing for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is an open-source image editor filled with features that cater to needs of illustrators, graphic designers, and photographers. Competitively rated at 4.4, GIMP has established global recognition and is commonly used for ad creation and flyer design.
GIMP Top Features
- Photo enhancement and digital retouching features.
- Customizable interface allowing creation and editing of artworks, photos, and paintings.
- Channel mixer to rectify any lens tilt effects and distortions.
- Crop tool for quick and easy active layer editing.
| Compatibility | File Formats Supported |
|---|---|
| Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, AmigaOS 4 | Multiple file formats including partial compatibility with Adobe file formats |
| Developed in 95 by Spencer Kimball & Peter Mattis | 82 languages supported |
GIMP Limitations
- Interface can be complex and cluttered for beginners.
- Recent versions lack the Lanczos image scaling algorithm, impacting quality results.
GIMP Pricing
GIMP beats rivals with its no subscription fee policy. Being a free and open-source software, it assures cost-saving.
GIMP Use Cases
Use case 1
GIMP aptly fulfills graphic designers’ requirements with advanced tools like the Channel Mixer and Crop Tool.
Use case 2
Its photographers’ go-to due to invaluable features such as photo enhancement and digital retouching.
Use case 3
GIMP proves beneficial to illustrators by providing paint brush, pencil, and airbrush tools.
Affinity
Introducing Affinity Designer, an esteemed component of the Affinity trinity, launched by Serif Europe in 2014. Serving as a viable Adobe Illustrator alternative, Affinity emphasizes high-end capabilities for creatives.
Top Features of Affinity
- Adept compatibility with prevalent file formats such as AI, SVG, PSD, PDF, and EPS
- Dynamic symbols, stroke stabilization and text style management via custom brush support
- Non-destructive editing and real-time effects
- Convenient switch between vector and pixel workspace, ensured by Designer, Pixel, and Export Personas.
- Preserved design history, supporting up-to 8000 undo actions
- Unique capability of assigning multiple strokes or fills to single objects
| Supported Color Models | RGB, LAB, CMYK, Grayscale |
| PANTONE color swatches | Available |
| Platform Availability | Windows, macOS, iPadOS |
| iPad tools vs Desktop tools | Equivalent |
Affinity Limitations
- Need for separate purchase for iPad version
- Limited utilization of core native technologies, initially macOS exclusive
Affinity Pricing
Affinity Designer is priced at $69.99 for Windows or macOS, $18.49 for the iPad version, and $164.99 for the entire suite across all platforms. Offering exceptional value, each purchase is a one-time payment, with no recurring subscription.
Affinity Use Cases
Use case 1: Professional Illustration
With features like stroke stabilization, real-time effects, and multiple strokes on single objects, Affinity aids professional illustrators in attaining perfect precision.
Use case 2: Web Design
Affinity amplifies web design processes with dynamic symbols and text style management, allowing tailored and innovative creations.
Use case 3: Game Development
Game developers can utilize Affinity’s vector and pixel workspace and robust color model support, ultra-useful for graphic-intensive outputs.
Elements
Behold Elements, an exceptional entity emanating from the renowned University of Colorado Boulder, making its mark in the spheres of graphic design and 3D structural analysis. This unique offering merges academia and practical utility, facilitating skill growth and real-world project execution.
Elements’ Best Features
- Comprehensive graphic design course : Beyond basic understanding of balance, proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast, it fosters space understanding and enlightens on using white space in shape, form, and structure development.
- Color Theory and Print Design proficiency : Complex concepts are seamlessly simplified for artists and creators to hone their craft impeccably.
- Structural analysis and design software : This innovative tool assists in the design and analysis of an array of structures, enhancing efficiency in steel, concrete, timber, and masonry projects.
- 3D finite element analysis : A noteworthy element, promoting the design of various architectural structures from trusses to footings, contributing to solvent structural durability.
| Additional Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Shareable Certificates | Earn shareable certificates after completing the course, enhancing your LinkedIn profile and professional reputation. |
| Accessible Training Resources | Tutorials, specific training provisions are accessible via Bentley Communities, facilitating continuous learning. |
| 24/7/365 Technical Support | Round-the-clock assistance provided with Perpetual License and SELECT boosting user confidence and mitigating downtime. |
Elements’ Downsides
- Ambiguous entity context, leading to potential information disparities.
- Detailed software design specifications are not provided.
- PC compatibility constraints, requiring Microsoft Windows 10 or higher, 2 GB minimum RAM, and certain processor requirements.
Elements Pricing
Although specific pricing details are not divulged, licensing and subscription options are available. These range from 12-months subscriptions to one-time purchases. Users preferring continuity can opt for the Perpetual License with SELECT, which includes uninterrupted support.
Elements Use Cases
Use case 1: Budding Graphic Designers
Elements is pivotal in nurturing those venturing into graphic design. With its holistic course design and competent instruction, it empowers novices to master the nuances of balance, alignment, repetition, contrast, and space.
Use case 2: Structural Engineers
For architects and engineers, Elements is a treasure trove. The intricate layers of 3D finite element analysis and the capability to design various structures make it an indispensable tool, forging efficient and sustainable designs.
Use case 3: Companies and Organizations
Enterprises and organizations reimburse resource expenditures using Elements. With application tales like WSP/McGee designing a complex basement on Waldorf Astoria Hotel, this tool is a demonstration of superior analysis capabilities and material efficiency.
Procreate
Meet Procreate, a cloud-based solution hailed for its versatility in digital sketches and illustrations. Built with not just design, but accessibility and user-friendliness in mind, Procreate redefines the creative experience on iOS devices.
Procreate Top Features
- Animation Assist: Enables time-lapse recording of your design journey.
- Customizable Brushes and Effects: Tailor to your design aesthetics for a unique creative expression.
- Typography Incorporation: Modify text styles and incorporate typography seamlessly into your designs.
- Image Adjustment Tools: Comprehensive suite for color correction, paint filter adjustments, and creating realistic blur effects.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Shape Drawing Platform | Eases the process of shape drawing with the Quick Shape feature. |
| Numerous UI & Feature Iterations | Offers hundreds of UI and feature iterations, solidifying user personalization. |
| Inclusive Design | Proactive support for options like VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, and AssistiveTouch. |
Procreate Limitations
- Apple Exclusivity: The platform is exclusive to iPhone and iPad users.
- Limited Layering: Layer creating in Procreate is limited, primarily depending on canvas size and quality.
- Hardware Demand: Optimal functionality necessitates superior device hardware, inclusive of fast processors, large screen sizes, and Apple Pencil compatibility.
Procreate Pricing
Procreate offers a one-time license at $9.99 but lacks a free trial or version.
Procreate Use Cases
Use case 1
By virtue of its wide array of features and tools, Procreate can be a powerful companion for digital artists and illustrators.
Use case 2
Design Students can learn and experiment with its customized brushes, and effects while appreciating the flexibility of its image adjustment tools.
Use case 3
Procreate’s accessibility and multiple language support make it a viable option for the visually impaired or non-English speaking populations.
Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is an award-winning vector graphics software developed by Serif. Famed amongst professional illustrators, web designers, and game developers for its speed, responsiveness, and affordability, this tool marks its dominance in concept art, print projects, logos, icons, and UI designs.
Affinity Designer Top Features
- Live, responsive, and fast application
- Capability of one million percent zoom for pixel perfect designs
- Comprehensive toolkit including raster brush texture, single pixel edit, and pixel layers clip
- Varied export options for various platforms, supporting digital, print, and marketing efforts
- Support for numerous file types such as JPEG, PDF, SVG, PSD, PNG, and more
| Feature | Description |
| Attribute matching, symbol linking | Ensures consistency throughout the design process |
| Keyboard shortcuts customization | Intuitive solutions for enhancing speed and overall workflow |
| Platform-agnostic file format | Seamless work across different devices on same project |
Affinity Designer Limitations
- Lacks vector eraser in Designer Persona
- Does not export as AI
- Missing natural perspective grid
- Perceived lack of substantial new features in version 2
Affinity Designer Pricing
Windows/macOS version commands a one-off payment of $49.99. The complete suite on all platforms can be yours for $164.99 under the Universal License. The standalone version for iPad is tagged at $18.49.
Affinity Designer Use Cases
Use case 1: Professional Illustrators
For professionals navigating in the world of illustrations, Affinity Designer serves as a reliable partner with its advanced features such as custom vector brushes and dynamic symbols.
Use case 2: Web Designers
Affinity Designer furnishes web designers with a robust toolset including intuitive UI designs and mock-ups essential for web aesthetics and functionality.
Use case 3: Game Developers
Equipped with remarkable features like fast, responsive application and pixel perfect designs, Affinity Designer acts as a pillar for game developers in creating visually alluring game interfaces.
Clip Studio Paint
Engulf yourself in the world of dynamic design with the game-changer in digital art, Clip Studio Paint. An exquisite tool steeped in unique features and versatility, perfect for the confluence of design and illustration.
Clip Studio Paint Best Features
- Extravagant array of vector drawing facilities allowing post-drawing edits.
- Benefit from a diverse gallery of customizable brushes like pen, pencil, watercolor, and oil paint.
- Amplify uniqueness by importing your Photoshop brushes.
- Supplement design with over 55,000 brush materials from Clip Studio Paint’s material site.
- Enjoy seamless usability with efficient layer managers and adjustable shortcut keys.
| Importance | Feature |
|---|---|
| 3D Support | Ensure accurate drawing with import of 3D data as reference. |
| File Management | Effectively manage files types including PNG, JPEG, PSD, SVG. |
| Cloud Backup | Secure work progress with Cloud backup and history tracking. |
Clip Studio Paint Limitations
- Lacks free version and requires annual purchase of an “upgrade pass” or transition to subscription licensing for version 2 update.
- File management capabilities can be overwhelming for beginners.
Clip Studio Paint Pricing
Bestow upon yourself this masterpiece at a cost much lower than similar contenders. The Pro version comes at just $3.51/month, and the EX version is priced at $71.99/year.
Clip Studio Paint Use Cases
Use case 1: Professional Designers
With its in-depth layer management and robust 3D support, Clip Studio Paint empowers professional designers to bring their visions to life.
Use case 2: Illustrators
The comprehensive brush selection and the ability to import brushes from Photoshop make Clip Studio Paint the perfect canvas for illustrators.
Use case 3: Concept Artists
From creating panel layouts, adding textures or tones, to coloring and adding captions, Clip Studio Paint is a boon for concept artists.
