Illustrator vs Photoshop: When to Use Each Software

By Ann Young 11 days ago, Software Reviews

The choice between Illustrator vs Photoshop can make you confused, because both software are the most popular graphic editors among beginners and professional designers. In a nutshell, graphic illustrators and logo creators often prefer Illustrator for its vector-based capabilities, while Photoshop is the best tool for editing existing images. Both programs have their strengths and uses, so choosing the right one depends on your specific creative vision.

What is Illustrator

illustrator example

Illustrator is a vector graphics software, which means that you can create scalable designs without losing any image quality. This is especially important for designers who need their work to be printed at various sizes. In contrast, Photoshop works with pixels, so scaling up an image can lead to a loss in quality, and this is the main difference between Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Illustrator also offers a wide range of line-drawing tools that are perfect for making shapes and curves. The pen tool, in particular, allows for the creation of custom curves, arcs, and spirals, which can be quite challenging to achieve in other programs like Photoshop.

Typography is another area where Illustrator shines. The software provides designers with features that allow them to customize fonts and add visual appeal to their designs. This is particularly useful when creating logos or banners for businesses.

One issue is compatibility. Illustrator uses a proprietary file format (.ai), which can cause compatibility issues with other programs that don't support this format. This can be a hassle if you need to collaborate with clients or colleagues who use different software.

Navigating the interface and understanding all the features and tools may take some time and practice. However, once you get the hang of it, Illustrator can be incredibly versatile and allow you to create almost any type of artwork.

Recently Adobe released Illustrator for iPad, which is now available in beta, but comes with advanced tools like “Radial Repeat” and “Symmetry”.

What is Photoshop

photoshop example

Photoshop is a program for creating and editing raster graphics. One of its main advantages is its ability to edit and manipulate images with precision. With its selection, cropping, measuring tools and such complex techniques as frequency separation photographers and designers can easily enhance and transform their photos.

One of the standout features of Photoshop vs Adobe Illustrator is Photoshop’s layering functionality, which allows users to work with individual pixels within an image or design. This gives designers the freedom to create different designs and apply various effects to their creations. Additionally, Photoshop offers advanced text editing and design elements, making it a go-to tool for creating captivating visuals.

Another advantage of Photoshop is its vast collection of brushes, filters, and effects. These tools allow designers to enhance their images and create unique visual effects. From artistic filters to removing unwanted elements, this photo editing software offers a wide range of options to enhance the appearance of any image.

However, it can be quite expensive, especially for casual users or small businesses. Additionally, it requires a powerful computer to run smoothly, as it is resource-intensive. Novice users may also find the user interface and tool navigation a bit overwhelming, and some tools require a significant learning curve to become comfortable with.

In terms of usage problems, Photoshop can be slow when handling large files, which can be frustrating for designers working with complex projects. Additionally, the lack of collaboration and commenting features can disrupt team workflows, making it challenging for multiple designers to work on the same project simultaneously.

As well as Illustrator, Photoshop belongs to the Creative Cloud family, which means it has close integration with other products and gives access to the cloud storage for photos up to 10TB (per user), Adobe Portfolio, Adobe Fonts and Adobe Express.

Illustrator vs Photoshop: Pros & Cons

Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop

✚ Great resolution of the art

✚ Advanced layers

✚ Convenient artboards

✚ Helpful plugins

✚ Small source file

✚ Tools for deep color correction

✚ Vector from pixel option

✚ Video editing capabilities

Relatively few filters Quality loss
Difficult to make changes Not suitable to prepare files for printing

Vector vs Raster: What is the Difference

vector vs raster

What is the difference between Illustrator and Photoshop? The key one is that they produce different-format files – vector and raster images.

Raster images are made up of tiny colored squares called pixels, which come together to form highly detailed pictures. They are perfect for capturing photographs and scanned artwork because they can display intricate details.

However, when it comes to reproducing finer details like shading and shadows, they may not be the best choice. Raster images can also become pixelated when enlarged, and their file sizes tend to be larger, making them unsuitable for web-based applications.

Unlike raster graphics, vectors use mathematical equations to define lines, curves, and shapes. This means they can be resized without losing any quality. They are also device-independent, meaning they can be viewed on any screen or printer, so it is an appropriate image format for printing.

Vectors are easier to edit than raster graphics, which makes them ideal for designs that require frequent modifications. However, vectors lack the ability to display complex blends of colors and the subtle nuances of light and shadow found in photographs. So, they are best suited for logos and graphic designs that will be reproduced in a limited number of colors and sizes.

When to Use Illustrator

illustrator interface

When you need to craft a logo for a brand or business, Illustrator allows you to create unique, professional-looking logos that stand out from the competition. The program uses vector graphics, which means that the logo retains its quality regardless of size, making it perfect for printing purposes.

Illustrator is also a great choice for web designers. It allows us to build graphic designs for websites with ease. The program's ability to create vector shapes ensures that the quality of the graphics remains intact even when scaled. Additionally, Illustrator enables us to draw and design complex shapes, lines, paths, and objects, making it a versatile tool for creating web designs.

It allows us to create and modify symbols for buttons, sections, icons, and clipping masks. Additionally, Illustrator's ability to display pixel dimensions in its pixel preview is a handy feature when generating web graphics.

One more difference between Photoshop and Illustrator is that the second shines is in fashion design. Many fashion designers prefer Illustrator because it streamlines their workflow. It allows them to make lookbooks, draw and design mock-ups and prototypes of clothing, helping them visualize their creations before bringing them to life.

When to Use Photoshop

photoshop interface

Photoshop is great for editing and retouching photographs. It allows you to remove blemishes, adjust colors, and enhance the overall quality of an image. This can be particularly useful when working on projects that involve showcasing products or people.

Additionally, Photoshop is widely used for creating image compositions and mockups. It provides a wide range of tools and filters that allow you to manipulate and combine different elements to create visually appealing designs. You can install Photoshop actions, which can be helpful when designing posters, flyers, or digital graphics.

Moreover, Photoshop offers the ability to work with textures, brushes, and filters, allowing you to add unique effects and styles to your designs. This can help you create eye-catching visuals and give your designs a distinctive look.

Photoshop also allows you to save your work in various file formats, making it compatible with other Adobe software and easily transferable across different platforms. This flexibility is especially important when collaborating with other designers or working on projects that require compatibility with different software.

When to Use Illustrator and Photoshop Together

Despite the differences between Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, there are several cases where using the programs together can be beneficial. Let's take a look at some scenarios:

Creating logos: Illustrator is the go-to program for creating crisp and clear logos that can be scaled to any size without losing quality. You can design the logo in Illustrator and then bring it into Photoshop to add text effects or touch up the design.

Designing complex illustrations: Illustrator excels at creating intricate artwork with precise tools like brushes and gradients. If you have a complex illustration that needs some manipulation or creating a watermark, you can bring it into Photoshop to add those extra elements.

Editing and retouching photos: Photoshop is renowned for its photo editing capabilities. If you have a photo that needs retouching, color correction, or other adjustments, you can do all of that in Photoshop. Once you're done, you can transfer it to Illustrator to incorporate it into your design, draw something in it etc.

Combining raster and vector elements: Sometimes, you may need to combine raster images (like photos) with vector elements (like shapes or text). In such cases, you can work on the raster elements in Photoshop and then bring them into Illustrator to seamlessly integrate them with your vector artwork.

Creating print materials: Illustrator is ideal for creating print materials like brochures and layouts, thanks to its scalable vector graphics. You can design the layout in Illustrator and then use Photoshop to edit and enhance any images within the design.

Remember, the key is to leverage the strengths of each program to achieve your desired outcome. By utilizing both Illustrator and Photoshop, you can unleash your creativity and create stunning designs that incorporate both vector and raster elements.

Illustrator vs Photoshop Prices

Adobe products can be a bit pricey, but fear not. The company often offers Adobe Creative Clouds discounts and promotions that can make these programs much more affordable. One fantastic option is the Creative Cloud subscription. For a monthly fee, you get access to all Adobe apps and software. It's like a one-stop-shop for all your design needs.

Adobe also offers Adobe Creative Cloud free trial for their products. This way, you can test out the software and see if it's the right fit for you before making any commitments. It's a great way to explore the features and decide if it's worth the investment.

Now, if you're looking to save even more, consider buying a bundle. Adobe offers bundles that include all the apps you need, like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom. This is perfect for professional designers who want a complete set of tools.

If you're a student or educator, Adobe has some amazing Illustrator and Photoshop student discounts just for you. These discounts can be quite substantial and make the software much more affordable.

So you can choose the right Creative Cloud for you.

Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop Single App costs $20.99/month.

Creative Cloud All Apps comes for $54.99/month.

Students and Teachers plan costs $19.99/month.

Illustrator Business plan comes for $84.99/month per license.

Illustrator vs Photoshop: Who Wins

So, what is the difference between Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, when it comes to graphic design?

The choice between Illustrator and Photoshop depends on the type of project and desired outcome. If you're working on logos, digital artwork, or need scalable graphics, Illustrator is your best bet. However, if you're focusing on photo editing, manipulating images, or working with raster graphics, Photoshop is the software to use.

Both Illustrator and Photoshop have their strengths and are valuable tools for graphic designers. Understanding the specific needs of your project will guide you in selecting the most suitable software. So, don't hesitate to explore and experiment with both programs to find the right fit for your unique situation.

SAVE UP TO 60% OFF SAVE UP TO 60% OFF