Photoshop Vs Illustrator
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- nb0
I didn't spend 3 long years in Web Illustrating school just to end up using Photoshop!!!
- BattleAxe2
one is raster(ps) one is vector (ai) you can't produce better graphics in any over the other because the end results is what matters
do you want high scalable graphics (ai) or do you want to manipulate pixels and produce a photo based composition (ps)
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- so what's your answerdoesnotexist
- PS has vector tools and AI has raster. They're in no way exclusive to their own apps.monospaced
- Flash is better then bothBattleAxe
- started off exclusive evolved for the designer that just could afford oneBattleAxe
- pockets0
yes
- PonyBoy0
USE BOTH... neither is better than the other as they're both built to be used in tandem... create your detailed vector work / icons... anything you might output as svg down the road in Illustrator.
If you're just doing simple line-art style graphics for your site (and type) then you're fine designing / outputing from Illustrator. If you need more raster love in your design then use photoshop.
Keep this in mind: If you want to work w/other designers / developers you should almost ALWAYS output a PSD regardless if it's your preference... it's still the industry's preferred layout app for anything web. Every agency / shop I still work with uses the term PSD on a regular basis... very rarely does someone ask I set up a web page for them in Illustrator.
Times are changing though... you can use illustrator far more freely and output plenty w/it... just make sure you can work w/your colleagues at the same time.
- yuekit0
My approach is to create the basic layout, shapes, icons and type in Illustrator. Then export to PSD and add photos, colors, effects, etc.
I'm sure you could do it all in Photoshop too but I like the precision of Illustrator.
- nb0
No InDesign love here?
- doesnotexist0
photoshop is not for web design, though many of you use it for such.
illustrator is the best tool for a number of reasons.
bird's eye view/iteration ease
use of symbols for global elements, much like sprites
linked assets update seamlessly
presenting vector-based artwork vs. raster
lighter filesexporting psd's is possible through illustrator, though i'm not sure why you still need this. everything has to be rebuilt with css, and little symbols are made into svg/font symbols so there's really no raster element anymore in web except images.
- Those "linked assets" are created in Photoshop.iCanHazQBN
- mekk0
I create direct clickdummies in html/css/js. You just can't build the mechanic and the nice feel of a dynamic website within the static of PS or another image editing software.
- pressplay0
i really don’t get this "Photoshop is for pixels" thing that always comes up when a question like this is asked. No matter what program I work in, I work with the pixels I see on the screen.
If anything, Photoshop is an image editing tool and should be used only as such, not to make (multi page) layouts.
- One could also say "Illustrator is an illustration/drawing tool and should be used only as such.iCanHazQBN
- PonyBoy2
I hate these threads... I really do... what silly arguing over two applications that are both exceptionally powerful and useful to creating web content (and a plethora of other content when combined w/other apps other than PS and Illy).
You can output svg files from either app... both are equipped to edit vectors... both apps are now equipped w/the ability to view your designs via mobile / desktop etc. Although, in PS you don't have the path combination / welding options of illustrator... so I find creating paths in photoshop next to useless unless I need to mask an object— even then I'll build my vector mask over in Illustrator if the object I'm masking is detailed (and then copy / paste the path over to photoshop and apply it to my layout).
You could technically do everything you need to do (including your vector output) from Photoshop... plus you have all your raster tools, a timeline for creating quick gifs... even a 3D tool that you can achieve some wonderful results with (quickly if you're not up for hacking away in a 3D app— I openly admit I'm not a 3D artist)...
Simply put... nothing has changed in terms of which app is better for editing rasters and which is better for vectors:
Illustrator is vector based— you do not work in pixels (technically)— although you can adjust / scale TO THE PIXEL... it's still a vector. Scalability = vectors = illustrator. Pixels = weak scalability = Photoshop.BTW— referring to Photoshop's as just an image editing tool and Illustrator as a vector editing tool is awfully limiting. If you've used the apps for 15+ years like many of us here then this thread probably bugs the shit out of you. The creative world expands past these two apps... but you usually start in one of these apps regardless of your project. You have to create assets for your After Effects work, for 3D mapping, web animation... and yeah— flash is still out there (like it or not), illustrator is great for copying vectors... but photoshop is still where you're going to compress your rasters for import into Flash.
I could keep going w/endless examples for both apps...
USE BOTH... else, struggle. :)
- I often use Photoshop for spline/pen work for my 3D whilst working on textures - no need to open Illustrator and have it chew up resources I use for rendering.face_melter
- MrT0
Tools.