Expert: Amy - 11/3/2007

Question
If I want to veiw eps files and do minor projects...like greate a door hanger which illustrator should I buy?

Answer
Well Bob,

If you are asking which version of Adobe Illustrator to buy, I'd go with CS3. You'll get to take advantage of less expensive upgrades. I don't know where you'd even get a copy of CS2 these days.

If you are asking Illustrator versus PhotoShop, for simple jobs like crafty things, you can certainly get away with PhotoShop or even PhotoShop elements. Unless you absolutely have to create vector-based artwork for some reason. You can view (but not edit vector-based elements) in PhotoShop, too.

Illustrator and PhotoShop are used for different purposes, and often together for different types of graphic design jobs. PhotoShop is more for painting and drawing but can be used to create an entire advertisement layout for a newspaper ad with text and photos. Illustrator is for creating vector-based artwork... like layouts for business cards, forms, etc., but is also used by artists who create beautiful and complex illustrations. It takes a lot more skill to use than PhotoShop, in my opinion. Most often when it is used for creating an advertisement (for example), the actual picture or artwork is imported from PhotoShop and not created in Illustrator itself. It's great for creating PDF files, too. It is also used by vinyl cutting shops and similar businesses.

If you have a specific question about either, let me know!
Amy