All graphic software by Adobe is great designing and editing tools and each is programmed to serve a particular task and purpose. Knowing when to use which software can make your work a notch easier.

Adobe Photoshop

Overview:

“Please photoshop this image,” has become a day-to-day phrase, so much that we are ignorant that photoshop isn’t a verb; it’s a software! Adobe Photoshop is a raster-based or a pixel-based software used to create, edit, manipulate and raster images. It has a set of advanced editing tools that lets you apply image filters, remove backgrounds and blemishes, check colour balance, correct exposure, merge images, create compositions, and so on. Layers in photoshop hold multiple objects at a time.

When to use:

·        Photo retouching and enhancing photographs with image filters.

·        Create renderings, photomontages, axonometric views.

·        Render plans and sections, presentation boards.

·        Product mock-ups.

·        Web Design and UI Design.

·        Motion Graphics, GIFs, Simpler animations.

·        Edit 3-D content.

When cannot be used:

·        When graphics need to be scaled up or down.

·        Print-ready and vector graphics.

·        Multi-page brochures or newsletters.

·        Company logo, posters and brand development.

Adobe Illustrator

Overview:

When your goal is to create pixel perfect designs that can be scaled indefinitely, you can use Adobe Illustrator. It uses math and algorithms that draws shapes using points, lines and curves. Vector graphics generated by Illustrator do not pixelate when scaled and stay sharp and concise just as created. It permits panel and multiple artboards editing simultaneously.

When to use:

·        Designing logos and branding solutions.

·        Create digital and vector illustrations.

·        Customising icons and infographics.

·        Type setting for printable documents and campaigns.

·        Scalable artwork.

·        Single page designs.

When cannot be used.:

·        Since filters are limited, it is not an effective photo editing tool.

·        Creating multi-page documents gets tedious.

·        Since designs created look largely flat, it must not be used when creating photo realistic renders.

Adobe Indesign

Overview:

This is the most used software for composing and designing layout for multi-page documents, both for digital and print media. This text-based software provides an effective control over typography, page setup and orientation to create print-ready layouts. Grids and guides assist in positioning elements to create well-composed sheets. Indesign also allows you to publish your document online and share it with a single click. It creates automated master and multi-page layouts.

When to use:

·        Designs with a lot of text.

·        Text-wrapping.

·        Combine elements from Illustrator and Photoshop.

·        Digital publications, e-books, newsletters.

·        Reports and Portfolios.

·        Catalogues, Pamphlets, Brochures.

When cannot be used:

·        When designs need to be manipulated largely.

·        Icons, logos and digital artwork.

·        Infographics.

Thanks for reading!