[GoTShiRTs]

We currently run Adobe's CS4 but are debating whether we should try some new software. What do you guys use and what's your favorite feature?

Also, is there a digital drawing pad similar to the app for the I-Pad?

 

[PositiveDave]

Adode's CS4 suite will do everything that you need, just learn what you have rather than trying to learn several varieties of software?

 

[BroJames]

Why are you debating about a new software? Photoshop is great and you won't find a better software in terms of power and ease of learning. Illustrator is also great although I often heard that it has a steeper learning curve.

I use photoshop and corel draw. I use corel because that's what I grew up with and many says it is easier to learn than illustrator. I tried illustrator a few times and agree. For tracing I prefer inskcape (a freeware) although corel and adobe have tracing capabilities which some people say are better.

Aside for these, unless you want specialty softwares for rhinestones or something else, you already have the best. So, are you having problems?

I have heard of some digital pen for drawing. Try ask your local computer shop.

 

[Kim_t2_au]

Hi

I have used both Corel Draw and Illustrator. I found CD to be incredibly counter intuititve and memory hungry on my laptop. I liked Illustrator and found it far more user friendly than CD. I can't remember why I stopped using it; I suspect that when I changed to a machine which ran Vista that the version of Illustrator that I had didn't run on Vista. I am now using Inkscape and of the three it is far and away my favourite. There are things it doesn't do but as it is free I am not going to complain.

Kim

 

[BroJames]

I like and use inkscape for tracing over Corel. Tried Illustrator too but still found Inkscape better. But some people I recommend inkscape to don't feel the same way. I guess some eprsonal biases and preferences come into play.

The same with corel and illustrator. In my case, I also think that corel is easier to learn. Bugsy though if I install too many fonts. Just as in the case of inkscape, some personal biases and preferences may come into play over which is easier or better.

 

[bungy]

Bugsy though if I install too many fonts.

That's a Windows limitation (XP, Vista) runs best if you have less than 500 fonts installed, nothing to do with Corel, or Adobe for that matter.
Windows will slow down with lots of fonts installed.
Windows 7 is supposed to handle large installed font numbers better.

 

[BroJames]

I have more than 1000 fonts installed at one time. Trimmed them down to 800 now but Corel draw is the only program that has its drop down box hanging down after I've selected the font I want. Sometimes, it takes a little while but sometimes it is immediate - as soon as I click the fonts drop down.

Has anyone of you used font managers to manage the font and comments please? I've seen some font managers that can install and uninstall sets of fonts on the fly. For example, you just click "Corel fonts" which has a list of fonts you define, and these fonts are immediately installed while those not in the list are uninstalled. I've been reluctant to try them as it may mess up the windows XP I still use.

 

[LegitScreening]

You are looking for a pen tablet. I use a wacom intuos4 tablet. There are other brandsbut I havent tried them. This tablet has been an amazing aid in adding a more organic personalized personalized feel to my graphics.
Also I gotta say just mastering what you have is key. Cs4 has amazing depth and capabilities. Still just scrarching the surface myself. You are looking for a drawing tav