Adobe Illustrator CC

Illustrator’s vector graphics fully complements the raster graphics of digital painting or photo editing software. Together vector and raster graphics software makes it possible for artists to draw almost anything they can imagine.

The pixels of raster graphics are great, but they pixelate. That’s because raster art contains a specific number of pixels. Adjust the size of raster art enough and the pixels become visible. That is, the image becomes grainy or blurry.

Sometimes people say that you paint in raster and you draw in vector, but don’t let that confuse you. The difference is that vector images retain their sharpness and saturation as they are expanded because the software automatically increases the number of pixels in the image. Short of buying pricey CAD software, using Adobe Illustrator in combination with a raster graphics program comes about as close as possible to being able to draw anything.

For the artist, rather than painting versus drawing, a clearer distinction might be between Salvador Dali and Vincent van Gogh or a photograph of a cloud in a blue sky versus the way a child might draw it. In digital raster art, the artist can soften and blend to create smoother transitions and incorporate photographic elements. To make expansion and contraction possible, the vectors in vector art define a geometric object and fill each one with one color.

That feature makes Illustrator ideal for making logos and other basic illustrations as well as making wireframes, etchings, and engravings. The restricted color palette in vector graphics programs like Illustrator also reins in the ultimate cost of disk-to-plate printing of signs, stationary, posters, and even business cards.

Some advanced vector software like Illustrator creates subtle transitions in a single vector-defined geometric object. That is, it comes with some capability to apply raster effects.

Remember that using raster effects in a vector software package produces vector/raster hybrid images that may look disappointing once imported into a raster program. Even so, the advantage of rapid production of ready-for-finishing digital objects more than outweighs that disadvantage. Additionally, for compatible raster software, Illustrator’s objects are ‘smart.’ That is, they keep their original design characteristics.

Also, keep in mind that while Illustrator uses equations to re-calculate the number of pixels in each geometric figure to make it 100 percent scalable, it’s the artist who figures them out first. That frustrates and sometimes balks new users in spite of the ready availability of tutorials for every version of the Illustrator. With some thought and planning, the steep initial learning curve eventually gives way to rapid workflow.

Pros

• Scalability
• Easy to create an outline, 3D object, or wireframe
• Easy color adjustment
• Allows for clear contrast between the elements of the design
• Ideal for logos, line drawings including blueprints, and illustrations
• Excellent for etchings, engraving, and low-cost sign-making/printing
• Fully supported software with many available tutorials
• Potential for very rapid workflow

Cons

• Abrupt color transitions
• Not photo realistic
• Limited continuous tones and blends
• Difficult to incorporate photographic elements
• Steeper learning curve