Photoshop VS Illustrator

[Lord Draker]

I have always been curious as to what people think of the two programs. I have many friends who hate one or the other and i want to know which you prefere.

[ronmatt]

I find that the two together is essential. Each has their own set of features which make them both 'stand alone' apps, of course. But PS effects, used in Illustrator and Illustrator effects imported into PS extends the capabilities of both. It's like asking; which do you prefer, a sports car or a 3 ton 4wd truck? Obviously they each have their place, and in a perfect world, you should have both.

[BlueFlare]

It's like comparing apples with oranges.

[zielak]

I prefere Photoshop

[Lord Draker]

I find that the two together is essential. Each has their own set of features which make them both 'stand alone' apps, of course. But PS effects, used in Illustrator and Illustrator effects imported into PS extends the capabilities of both. It's like asking; which do you prefer, a sports car or a 3 ton 4wd truck? Obviously they each have their place, and in a perfect world, you should have both.

I Can understand that, and ideally you should have both but say you couldn't afford both. Which would you get ?

It's like comparing apples with oranges.

Comparisons need to be made. Thats how things get tested and "evolve".

[Soquili]

The two programs are different, one being a pixel pusher and the other a vector application.

I have not upgraded Illustrator since version 10 and don't even have that currently installed on any of my computers.

I also haven't upgraded Photo Shop since CS, don't use it enough to warrant the upgrade to CS2.

[ronmatt]

I also haven't upgraded from the cs creative suite. Can't find a reason why I should. And I also still use PS7 for most things, as I have, over the years added plugins, shapes and styles, many of which I made myself, that PSCS doesn't want to use. As to which one OF the two would I recommend. Then Photoshop, hands down. Just watch your text. Rastered text sucks but you can maintain vectors if you build and save the file correctly This really only applies if you design for print. Although scalable vector images are needed for screen as well at times

[RTK]

When I eat soup - I use a spoon, and when I eat Prime Rib - I use a fork and knife. Or as mention - comparing the two, is like comparing apples and oranges - a completely pointless excercise!

Scalable graphics, spot colours, and pinpoint accuracy path operations -- Illustrator. "Manipulating" bitmaps and painting/drawing "natural media style" (or in combination) -- Photoshop. At least when comparing the two (there are a great number of alternatives that can be used as substitutes/complements/speed-ups to what you need to do). And a few are present in different forums here at Talkgraphics).

Me (of the two mentioned) - Illustrator 9 (functionality wise I would not upgrade unless PDF files becomes an issue for me) and Photoshop 7 (functionality wise would not upgrade unless digital photography is something I got "really" in to, and retaining/manipulating the gamult of 16 bit files became an issue).

[ronmatt]

Blueflare, I only suggested PS because, these days it seems that the majority of people prefer to do things for the web as opposed to print, in which case 'vector' is almost meaningless. Learning Illustrator is also much more difficult, Not that PS is REALLY any easier, but any novice can, at least, see some progress in PS much quicker.I design for print, thus PS, ILL. In Design and Acrobat are essential and I really couldn't do without any of them. But, asked to make a choice, I choose the most common denominator. PS

[Lord Draker]

True. I still stand by photoshop though especally in my profession. Photshop to me is an alround program where as Illustrator seems to be more professionalised.