Posted in: Web Design & Development by Sam Chambers on
Sep. 9, 2012
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
Adobe Photoshop is the most popular of the three design
software in this Adobe trio, making it the most likely to be misused. Because
Photoshop is a pixel-based software, it is best suited to editing projects that
will stay at a fixed size. This includes photographs, web graphics, motion
graphics, and software/Web/mobile UI Designs.
Photoshop is often used to edit or include text on
preexisting images, however, it is best to edit images in Photoshop and then
transfer the file to Illustrator for any text design. Text tends to distort
itself in Photoshop, since Photoshop is pixel-based whereas Illustrator is
vector-based. It is important not to use Photoshop for print projects because
of its pixel-based output. If the project in question is heavily text based,
like a magazine page or book excerpt, try using Indesign.
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
Adobe Illustrator is not as heavily used as Photoshop
despite the advantages it presents to people designing graphics. If you are
designing a piece that will need to be resized for varying use (such as a logo
or type setting), Illustrator is the way to go. Illustrator is also suitable
for vector paintings, illustrations,
business cards, and card design.
In Photoshop, people often notice that the lines drawn may
seem jagged and pixellated. This is because Photoshop is a pixel-based program
whereas Illustrator is vector-based. This means that Illustrator uses
mathematical formulas to create lines and images so that, no matter what size,
your image will retain its qualities without becoming distorted or pixellated.
Despite its advantages in the logo design realm, Illustrator
is not equipped to edit photos and lacks the capability to crop. In this
scenario, it is better to use Photoshop. If you are attempting a multi-page
layout or text wrapping, try your project in Indesign instead of Illustrator.
ADOBE INDESIGN
Adobe Indesign is the much-neglected powerhouse in the Adobe
trio. Indesign has superior capabilities when it comes to multi-page layouts
with lots of written content, such as books, magazines, reports, and PDF
documents. If your project consists of a master layout or lots of pages,
Indesign is your best option.
While Indesign is great for any large written projects you
may have, it is best to stick to either Photoshop or Illustrator when it comes
to graphics because these two programs are much more straightforward in that
respect. Keep in mind you can always export graphics from Photoshop and
Illustrator into Indesign to create a masterful page for your journal, book, or
magazine.
