Hmm ... well the end results of my works are always a PDF files (or any bitmap image format). That is, what goes into print.
So it doesn't matter what tool you use. Even if paper, pencil + scan.
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Alternatives to Photoshop & Illustrator?
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Hmm ... well the end results of my works are always a PDF files (or any bitmap image format). That is, what goes into print.
So it doesn't matter what tool you use. Even if paper, pencil + scan.
The same used to be true of Quark things can and do change. When I started working in design and production, the ability to hand-edit Postscript code was a stand-out skill to put on your CV.
I'd honestly take a long, hard look at Affinity Designer *and, no, I'm not on commission!
Cheers
Jim
I'm desperate to drop Adobe CC - I really don't mind the price, i'm on a discount and you do get you monies worth.. but the thought of paying for it for like, ever.. and never owning the software, it's just not feasible.
I only really use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Audition.. mainly Photoshop.
Most of the apps seem to be the 'Illustrator killer' but what about photoshop?
I occasionally design things like food menus and flyers, raster/bitmap stuff and this is where i get worried since these apps seem to be primarily aimed towards vector.
I'm going to try the AD demo as i can see it opens photoshop files then see how it handles my print stuff but would love to hear some opinions from others who have ditched photoshop for one of the alternatives?
I only really use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Audition.. mainly Photoshop.
Most of the apps seem to be the 'Illustrator killer' but what about photoshop?
I occasionally design things like food menus and flyers, raster/bitmap stuff and this is where i get worried since these apps seem to be primarily aimed towards vector.
I'm going to try the AD demo as i can see it opens photoshop files then see how it handles my print stuff but would love to hear some opinions from others who have ditched photoshop for one of the alternatives?
Go with Pixelmator for a PS alternative, it's pretty good, cheap and the devs are awesome and reply in no time to any questions!
I'm reading the reviews on the AppStore now, i think it would be stupid not to try it..
I think i'll download the demo's of Pixelmator and Affinity Designer and hopefully work my way to dropping Adobe CC.
I think it's a frightening move more than anything because Adobe has already been regarded as industry standard.
I've been playing with AD and Pixelmator and i think i'm going to cancel my subscription to Adobe.. i'm impressed though Pixelmator layer styles are not as good, no embossing 
.. I just don't know if i can justify paying a monthly subscription though when these apps are almost there.
I'm not an illustrator power user just basic stuff and for my needs AD is so much better, Illustrator is complicated for some basic tasks if you are not an expert at it.
.. I just don't know if i can justify paying a monthly subscription though when these apps are almost there.I'm not an illustrator power user just basic stuff and for my needs AD is so much better, Illustrator is complicated for some basic tasks if you are not an expert at it.
Just a heads-up that Made with Mischief is finally available in the Mac App Store (since yesterday) for $24.99.
Mischief is a vector drawing app with an infinite zoom canvas and very nice user interface. It is like drawing/painting in raster format except everything is totally vector. It has a lively community, help forums, etc.
The Mac App Store also has the free version too. (Less tools, etc.)
Mischief is another wonderful digital graphics alternative.
Mischief is a vector drawing app with an infinite zoom canvas and very nice user interface. It is like drawing/painting in raster format except everything is totally vector. It has a lively community, help forums, etc.
The Mac App Store also has the free version too. (Less tools, etc.)
Mischief is another wonderful digital graphics alternative.
CrickettGrrrl,
I have been wanting to try Mischief but I wasn't sure because I don't have a Wacom tablet, only a mouse. Do you use a tablet with it or have you tried using it with only a mouse? Their website recommends a tablet but I wasn't sure if you have to have a tablet to use the program. What do you think?
Thanks,
Mecha
I have been wanting to try Mischief but I wasn't sure because I don't have a Wacom tablet, only a mouse. Do you use a tablet with it or have you tried using it with only a mouse? Their website recommends a tablet but I wasn't sure if you have to have a tablet to use the program. What do you think?
Thanks,
Mecha
Yes, I definitely recommend using a digital tablet with this app. It's not your typical vector program with nodes, handles, bezier curves & where one would best manipulate those using a mouse. (Well, at least I mean I prefer using a mouse while doing that.)
Mischief is very fluid and definitely more like drawing or painting. More blendy too, if that makes sense.
I'd also recommend you check out some of the videos on their site --with the infinite zoom.
As regards a tablet, I've been using a Huion 610 I bought for $50 on Amazon for a couple of years now and it is great. Bought it based on tablet reviews on Frenden.com. Since then Huion released a Pro version which is even better & wireless, for $25-30 more. (I'm still using the orig. 610 though.) So please don't let the requirement for a digital tablet stop you!
CrickettGrrrl,
Thanks for the info regarding tablets with Mischief. I have watched the videos on their site, that is why I was so interested in the program. I love the infinite zoom video. Thanks for the info on the Huion tablets. I will check them out. I live in Japan and I would have thought that Wacom being a Japanese company would be cheaper here but they are not. Plus I am hesitant to spend a lot of money on a tablet as I'm not sure it is for me. I have only played around with them at stores and never seriously but I can't tell if I could use them in a production style environment or not. As well, I have heard that some people are having problems with Wacom in some programs lately and it makes me worried about investing in their hardware. If the Huion tablets are good and cheap, I will give them a try.
Thanks,
Mecha
Thanks for the info regarding tablets with Mischief. I have watched the videos on their site, that is why I was so interested in the program. I love the infinite zoom video. Thanks for the info on the Huion tablets. I will check them out. I live in Japan and I would have thought that Wacom being a Japanese company would be cheaper here but they are not. Plus I am hesitant to spend a lot of money on a tablet as I'm not sure it is for me. I have only played around with them at stores and never seriously but I can't tell if I could use them in a production style environment or not. As well, I have heard that some people are having problems with Wacom in some programs lately and it makes me worried about investing in their hardware. If the Huion tablets are good and cheap, I will give them a try.
Thanks,
Mecha
A digital tablet is a wonderful tool for any of the digital graphics apps so I hope you're able to find one at a good price. (Just remember, do NOT plug in the tablet USB cord, or initialize it until AFTER you've installed the drivers. That's where a lot of people have problems with the set up, unfortunately.) Best wishes!
CrickettGrrrl,
Thanks for the advice about tablets. I will try to pick one up and give it a try. I do have a question for you. You have said before that you use iDraw. How do you get around the fact that it doesn't have a set colorspace? When I draw something in iDraw and then export it as a PDF, it always comes out as RGB. When I choose colors, I choose CMYK but they always change to RGB later. This doesn't affect your work? For me, it is a deal breaker as I have to have CMYK files. I do like iDraw but I think I'm going to have to go with Affinity Designer because it will let me choose my colorspace (and it will also import Illustrator files). I was just curious as to what you use iDraw for? If you are only doing web graphics then I guess it wouldn't matter.
Mecha
Thanks for the advice about tablets. I will try to pick one up and give it a try. I do have a question for you. You have said before that you use iDraw. How do you get around the fact that it doesn't have a set colorspace? When I draw something in iDraw and then export it as a PDF, it always comes out as RGB. When I choose colors, I choose CMYK but they always change to RGB later. This doesn't affect your work? For me, it is a deal breaker as I have to have CMYK files. I do like iDraw but I think I'm going to have to go with Affinity Designer because it will let me choose my colorspace (and it will also import Illustrator files). I was just curious as to what you use iDraw for? If you are only doing web graphics then I guess it wouldn't matter.
Mecha
Yes actually, I only do digital images for web currently, so CMYK is not a factor for me. The Indeeo devs have stated that CMYK is on their list, not sure when it may be expected but they've been great about adding a ton of stuff to iDraw in the past 2 years. Affinity Designer sounds better suited to your workflow, although it's missing a few things which iDraw has --like text to path. You may find, as I have, that you need to switch between 2 or 3 graphics programs to use the stronger features of each.