If you are working on trying to learn graphics design, you will come to face a decision of the software you are going to use. When you have to make that decision, it might be useful to identify which software is the best.
Currently, the most popular software designed by Adobe is Photoshop, Sketch, XD, and Illustrator – amongst these 4, which one can should you ideally choose? To make a wise decision, you need to know the pros and cons of each software and determine their differences. What sets these programs apart from each other?
Here are the differences between these computer programs.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is primarily the go-to software to edit, retouch and prepare photographs. The software has the greatest effects that can completely transform the appearance of each image that has been edited using it.
Photoshop boasts with many design tools and also includes responsive graphics that can be applied for different uses. Also, the software has the ability to edit videos and animations that are layered on the media being edited.
It isn’t limited to any file type because you can edit all image formats without purchasing third-party plugins. Apart from the features of editing pictures, Photoshop also has a large stock gallery where you can browse and locate the best pictures and videos you need.
Alex Ainsworth, chief UI/UX designer, working for Dissertation Today, says that the basic editing process is fairly simple because beginners can navigate easily and use it to their benefit. Also, you can share it across many digital platforms without a hassle right after editing it and choosing to save a copy of it.
He adds that the downside of it is that all the features in their entirety might not be used by everyone, so it might be an overkill to users that only need a few. Considering its price, Photoshop might be a waste to some graphic designers that don’t need everything offered by this software.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is quite distinct to Photoshop because instead of focusing much on editing and adding features to images, it focuses on vectors and rafter graphics. If that is what you need to create the graphics you need, look no further than Illustrator. It is highly dependable for these tasks and can be accessed in any device that is connected to Creative Cloud.
It doesn’t matter what operating system your computer uses, as long as it is modern, it can create the beautiful graphics you intend on making. It is precision-based which allows it to create designs of any size and application without limitations.
Sometimes designers might put the finishing touches on Adobe Photoshop but the intensive work is usually done by Illustrator. You don’t have to worry about resolution issues when you use this software because it is limitless and doesn’t go by the pixels script.
Therefore, the image can be used for print media or even digital use on any device with any sized screen. What is challenging about this software is that it takes time to familiarize yourself with unless if you have experience in previous versions of it.
Because of its high-level precision, the designer needs to be sort of a perfectionist and give it time to create designs with the finest details.
Adobe XD
Adobe XD is more of a prototype tool that enables its users to create stunning designs that are focused on improving the User Experience. It creates beautiful digital designs, mockups, and prototypes, especially for website and app development.
XD has almost the same controls as other Adobe software, which makes it easier for those who have experience in them to use this one. It is very popular amongst beginners in digital design because of its fairly easy-to-use interface.
Adobe XD has a pretty strong infrastructure and embodies a wide range of useful features for this cause. For example, there are reusable elements that you can use in your designs and it is easy to resize groups and objects with the responsive tool. Also, designs from other Adobe tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Sketch can be opened within Adobe XD.
Designers can create interactive prototypes with animations, gaming support, and voice prototyping. Designs can also be previewed how they would appear on mobile devices, which limits the stress of website and app designers.
You can use many different plugins with Adobe XD and use various app integrations to unlock more functionalities. You don’t have to be fixed on your computer or desktop when using XD because there is a mobile app version you can use.
Adobe Sketch
Adobe Sketch is also a vector graphics editor that focuses on digital designs and currently doesn’t have print features. The software works on Mac desktops and was first launched in 2010 with its following growing greatly with each year. You can create pixel-perfect precision-based vectors and also edit existing designs.
The design software can sync many different plugins and has more useful features that help you with almost any designs. For example, you can export presets and code of the designs and prototypes you make. You have to pay an annual license fee for this software but it is very comprehensive and can create anything from GIFs to wireframe designs. Mockups and prototypes can also be created with ease and in very little time.
It is very affordable because its annual license fee doesn’t exceed $100 depending on the account type you choose. The downside of Adobe Sketch is that it isn’t available in other operating systems and also doesn’t have a mobile app or online version.
Also, you need to get plugins to make the tool better and improve the features you can get from this design software.
The Bottom Line
These different tools, Adobe Sketch, Illustrator, Photoshop, and XD, have many similarities but they are also distinct from each other. Photoshop is the one that has more peculiarities from the others because it is more focused on editing graphics instead of creating them from scratch.
Other peculiarities are the operating systems that they function and their mobility. Some don’t function on Windows, while others have mobile app versions that make working on the move easier. If you are looking for the tool you should use, it is better to choose the one with the features you need the most. Also, ensure that your work is Photoshop free, you could choose an app that is user-friendly and will be easy to master.
