The Bottom Line
If you need a top of the line graphics program that deals in both raster and vector graphics, Illustrator offers more than any other graphics program on the market. However, the learning curve is significant. (Note: This review is based on Illustrator 10. Current version is Illustrator CS, also known as Illustrator 11.)
Pros
- New features for developing web graphics and objects
- Superior integration with other Adobe products
- For Windows and Macintosh
Cons
- Steep learning curve, even for veteran users
- Could use a more user-friendly method of saving symbols and objects
Description
- Produce superb raster or vector Web graphics.
- Introduces the use of symbols created by the Illustrator user.
- Improved slicing options.
- Many new distortion effects: warping, envelopes and liquify tools.
- New drawing tools: line, arc, grid, and polar grid.
- New compound shape enhancements.
- Powerful tools that allow designers and developers to collaborate on Web sites or print documents.
- New support for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) and Shockwave Flash (SWF) files.
- Improved integration with all other Adobe products.
Guide Review - Adobe Illustrator 10
Adobe Illustrator 10 introduces new tools, new techniques, and certainly has come a long way since the first Illustrator hit the market place. Adobe is noted for its sophisticated and complex software products with Illustrator being one of the flagship products. Illustrator 10 takes the industry standard for vector graphics software to a new level. Illustrator 10, like its counterpart Adobe Photoshop 6, has now become a product for creating and optimizing vector or raster-based graphics for the Web. Seasoned Illustrator users will love the new symbolism tools. I predict that this will become one of the most used new tools that the Adobe Illustrator developers have created. --By Tanya K. Metaksa
