If you’re looking for a powerful, open-source image editor, honed to perfection since its inception in 1995, meet GIMP – The GNU Image Manipulation Program.
GIMP Top Features
Raster Graphics Editing: Precision-made for illustrators, graphic designers, and photographers.
Customizable Interface: Adapt the editor to your style, making the creative process seamless.
Multiple File Support: Edit and export in a wide array of file formats.
Channel Mixer: Fixes lens tilt effects and distortions.
Crop Tool: Active layer editing made easier than ever.
Extensibility
Plugin and scripting support for added customizability.
Regular updates
New functionalities and bug fixes brought to you consistently.
Multi-language Support
Communicate in your language with support for 82 languages.
GIMP Downsides
Interface can be complex and cluttered for beginners.
Partial compatibility with Adobe file formats could be limiting.
Lack of Lanczos image scaling algorithm in recent versions.
GIMP Pricing
The icing on the cake? GIMP is absolutely free. No subscription charges and immense capabilities at your fingertips.
GIMP Use Cases
Use case 1
Creating impactful advertisements. GIMP’s toolkit and customization options let you craft compelling visuals that captivate.
Use case 2
Designing out-of-the-box flyers. Unleash your creativity in a cost-effective way without compromising on quality.
Use case 3
Enhancing photographs. From retouching to perspective change, the features pave the way for impeccable images.
Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a dynamic vector graphics and animation software tool, renowned as an industry-standard for graphic design. From mobile graphics and product packaging to unique letterforms, fonts of various weights, widths, and slants—its capabilities are vast and versatile.
Illustrator’s Best Features
Offers an expansive array of features such as free-form gradients, custom shapes, unprecedented design flexibility with photos, and illustrations.
Pioneers in collaboration with capabilities to track versions, mirror images, and refine editing processes.
Easy to create, export custom banners in JPG, PNG formats using artboards.
Possesses a comprehensive type toolkit with an impressive library of 18,000+ fonts, type on path functionality, variable fonts, and color fonts.
Adobe Creative Cloud integration allows for seamless movement across Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Fresco.
Syncs to cloud, making it accessible from a desktop or iPad.
Illustrator Feature
Description
Vectorize
Raster image conversion feature for precise graphic designs.
Shape Transformation
Enables polygons to transform as shapes with a blend tool.
Brilliant Colors
A wide spectrum of colors and gradients to perfect your designs.
Illustrator Limitations
Consumes resources heavily, contributing to a high learning curve.
Complex for beginners, thus making it ideal for advanced users.
Can seem complex at first, but offers tutorials for smooth learning.
Illustrator Pricing
The pricing for individuals sits at $19.99/month, and for businesses, it’s $29.99/month. However, they offer a 7-days free trial. Unfortunately, there is no free version, and the paid version starts from US$31.49/month.
Illustrator Use Cases
Use Case 1
If you’re a professional or semi-professional Illustrator, web designer, you’ll find Illustrator indispensable for its precision, expansive toolkit, and seamless integration with other Adobe products.
Use Case 2
For graphic designers, Illustrator’s capabilities to create and export custom banners using artboards prove essential. Plus, access to 18,000+ fonts and brilliant colors enables diverse creativity.
Use Case 3
Those focused on typography will find Illustrator exceptionally useful due to its custom weights, widths, slants, and comprehensive font toolkit.
Photoshop
An authoritative name in the realm of image creation, graphic design, and photo editing, Adobe Photoshop, has been a game-changer since its inception in 1988. It’s an integral constituent of the Adobe Creative Cloud, and its name has become a colloquial verb for image editing.
Photoshop Top Features
Layers and Adjustment Layers, for image variations.
History Panel, for easy tracking of changes.
Clone Stamp Tool and Regular Healing Brush, for precise editing.
Color Balance, Levels, Curves, and Blending Modes, providing a myriad of color manipulation possibilities.
Dodge and Burn tools, for localized exposure adjustment.
Layer-based editing system, supporting transparency for images creation or alteration.
PSD and PSB file formats, supporting Photoshop’s features and additional functionalities via plug-ins.
Additional Features
Latest Updates
Brushes Variety, Healing Brush, History Brush, Blur/Sharpen Tools
Object Selection Tool, Properties Panel
Text, Vector Graphics, 3D Graphics, Video Editing
Updated Keyboard Shortcuts for Paint/Brush, Enhanced Transform Warp
Photoshop Limitations
It’s part of a paid subscription service, Adobe Creative Cloud.
Considered complex for beginners.
High computational requirements.
Photoshop Use Cases
Use Case 1 – Graphic Designers
Utilized for graphics and layout creation for print projects, site designs, and logos.
Use Case 2 – Web Developers
Enables the creation of custom graphics, web layouts, and presentation layers.
Use Case 3 – Photographers
Photo editing, retouching, and color grading to deliver professional quality images.
Affinity
Stepping into the limelight, the Affinity Designer, a masterpiece crafted by Serif Europe stupefies the realm of vector graphic design. Bursting forth in 2014 as a well-acclaimed Adobe Illustrator alternative, Affinity Designer has grown in stature, becoming an indispensable tool for novices and professionals alike. It is more than just software; it’s part of the visionary “Affinity trinity” alongside Affinity Photo and Publisher.
Affinity’s Grand Gallery of Features
Vector pen and shape-drawing tools of absolute precision, imbued with dynamic symbols for your versatile design needs.
Custom brush support for your creative expanses, coupled with stroke stabilization and text style management.
Non-destructive editing capabilities, crafted to preserve your original artwork while offering freedom to experiment.
Real-time effects and transformations, supercharged with 60fps pan and zoom functionality.
Multiple color models – RGB, LAB, CMYK, Grayscale – complemented by PANTONE color swatches and an end-to-end CMYK workflow with ICC color management.
An unrivaled 16-bit per channel editing that ensures the most vibrant illustrations.
Feature
Description
Compatibility
Sprightly compatible with an array of file formats including AI, SVG, PSD, PDF, EPS, and beyond.
Personas Switching
Unique switching between vector workspace to pixel workspace with Designer, Pixel, and Export Personas.
Undo Limit
An almost limitless undo capacity of 8000 actions, preserving design history even after closing a project.
Limitations of Affinity
The iPad version, although powerful, requires a separate purchase.
Despite its ample features, it might have a steeper learning curve for beginners compared to other graphic design software.
Affinity Pricing
Affinity Designer is priced at USD$69.99 for Windows or macOS, USD$18.49 for the iPad version, and USD$164.99 for the entire suite on all platforms. Astonishingly, it shuns the subscription model, opting for a one-time payment system instead.
Affinity Use Cases
Professional Illustrators
Affinity amalgamates a plethora of tools and features, aiding illustrators in crafting their vivid world of characters and landscapes with uniqueness and precision.
Web Designers
With its nimble file format compatibility and vibrant color models, Affinity serves as a great asset to web designers seeking to enliven their online spaces.
Game Developers
Enabling seamless design of diverse assets, Affinity Designer could be an esteemed companion for game developers in their quest to create immersive gaming experiences.
Clip Studio Paint
Seamlessly unite design and illustration in your creative process with Clip Studio Paint, an outstanding graphic design software developed by Celsys. Incorporating extensive editability and customization, it exudes excellence in digital art creation.
Clip Studio Paint Best Features
Expressive customizable brushes available in styles such as pen, pencil, watercolor, and oil paint.
Advanced handling of vector layers, allowing edits post-drawing and bringing pen pressure responsivity to vector line drawing.
Well-integrated 3D support that fosters accurate drawing, with potential to import 3D data as a drawing reference.
Material Site
Boasts over 55,000 brush materials for download
Easy Layer Management
Features include searchable layers and layer folders for bulk management
File Support
Supports file formats like PNG, JPEG, PSD, SVG, and hosts comprehensive file management, also offering compatibility with Adobe Photoshop files
Clip Studio Paint Limitations
Licensing model may require an annual “upgrade pass” purchase or a switch to subscription-based licensing for Version 2 updates.
Though versatile, it shows a bias for comic creation due to its origin under the name “Comic Studio”. This could limit its overall attractiveness.
Clip Studio Paint Pricing
Accessibility prioritized. The Clip Studio Paint Pro version comes in at a comfortable price of $3.51/month, while the full-featured EX version sits at $71.99/year.
Clip Studio Paint Use Cases
Use case 1
Digital artists and illustrators looking to experiment and find unique creative directions will find the adjustable brush types and the over 55,000 downloadable brush materials beneficial.
Use case 2
Professional designers and concept artists can exploit the advanced vector drawing, 3D support and wide compatibility with other design software.
Use case 3
The strong leaning towards comic creation tools makes Clip Studio Paint an ideal suite for comic illustrators, featuring panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, tones, textures, coloring, and even balloons and captions for dialogues.
Procreate
Bring out your inner artist! Procreate offers a cloud-based platform for digital sketches and illustrations, a notable Krita alternative. This user-friendly software requires an Apple Pencil for efficient usage and is compatible with iOS devices.
Procreate Top Features
Animation Assist tool: Allows for time-lapse recording
Customizable brushes and effects: Offers a myriad of styles
Text style modification and typography incorporation: For engaging designs
Time-Lapse replay: Create stunning animations of your artwork’s process
Quick Shape feature: For ease of shape drawing, appealing to even the least artistically inclined
Additional Features:
Exclusivity:
Support for options like VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, and AssistiveTouch
Limited layering based on canvas size and quality
Procreate Limitations
Restricted to iOS and Windows users only
No free trial or version
Need for an Apple Pencil for efficient usage
Whilst functional for note-taking, the tool primarily excels in aesthetics and design
Procreate Pricing
Invest in creativity. Procreate operates on a one-time license with a pricing value of $9.99.
Procreate Use Cases
Use Case 1: Digital Artists and Illustrators
From professional artists to hobbyists, Procreate offers an accessible platform with low entry barriers and a user-friendly interface, perfect for rendering digital sketches.
Use Case 2: Graphic Designers
With a selection of customizable brushes, effects, and the accent of typography, graphic designers can use this platform to smoothly translate their thoughts onto digital canvases.
Use Case 3: Animators
With the help of the Animation Assist tool and support for Photoshop brushes, animators can map out detailed and intricate storyframes without any obstacles.
Canva
Canva, an online graphic design platform hailing from Sydney, Australia, has revolutionized digital creativity since its inception in 2013. With over 100 million users across the globe, it is a coveted tool for companies requiring engaging and visually stunning content.
Canva Top Features
Seamless Design: Its user-friendly interface, complete with drag-and-drop design functionality, custom fonts, frames, shapes, grids, and icons, aids you in creating polished designs effortlessly.
Magic Write: This AI-powered copywriting assistant, launched in 2023, enhances your design with aptly curated content.
Diverse Templates: Canva offers pre-built templates for a wide array of content, including logos, posters, infographics, social media posts, newsletters, menus, and more.
Chart and Diagram Creation:
Canva allows users to create custom charts and diagrams using internal data for visually compelling representation.
Photo Editing:
Its built-in photo editor assists you in enhancing and customizing your images as per your design needs.
Apps:
Canva has two mobile apps to facilitate on-the-go designing.
Canva Limitations
Data Breach: In May 2019, approximately 139 million Canva users were impacted by a data breach, hinting at potential security vulnerabilities.
Advanced Features: Certain high-end features might be accessible only in the Pro or Enterprise versions, which may pose limitations for free users.
Canva Pricing
Canva offers an array of pricing plans to suit different user needs. The Canva Free, Canva for Education, and Canva for Not-for-Profit plans are free forever. Canva Pro starts at $12.99 USD per month for the first user, then $6.99 per month for each additional user, while Canva Enterprise is available from $30 USD per month.
Canva Use Cases
Use Case 1: Small Businesses
With its affordable pricing and a gamut of design tools, Canva serves as the ideal solution for small businesses needing to create finger-clicking marketing content but are restrained by a limited budget.
Use Case 2: Educational Institutions
Canva for Education, offered for free, allows educational institutions to design striking and informative visuals that enrich the learning experience.
Use Case 3: Non-Profits
Non-profit organizations can benefit greatly from Canva’s cost-effective design solutions, making their fundraising and promotional efforts visually engaging.
Elements
Introducing Elements, a powerful 3D structural analysis and design software. Conceived by the renowned University of Colorado Boulder, it’s leveraged by world-class engineers for designing and analyzing complex structures. More than merely a software, Elements constitutes a comprehensive learning platform, encapsulating vast knowledge domains of graphic design and 3D modeling.
Elements Top Features
3D finite element analysis – makes designs of trusses, continuous beams, and frames achievable.
Robust Design functionality – allows creation of efficient structures for steel, concrete, cold-formed steel, timber, masonry projects.
Diverse learning modules – gain understanding of graphic design history, design principles, and software requisites.
Accessible – offers English language course with numerous language subtitles.
Shareable certificate – Links your learning victories to your LinkedIn profile.
Preferred choice of engineering giants like WSP/McGee and VYOM
Elements Downsides
Processor requirement of 1.3 GHz or faster may deter users with older systems.
Demanding RAM needs – The software requires at least 2 GB of RAM (4GB recommended).
Screen resolution – Minimum requirement of 1024×768 could impact users with limited screen configurations.
Elements Pricing
Elements offers licensing and subscription options, including a 12-month subscription or a one-time purchase & support. A Perpetual License with SELECT offers 24/7/365 technical support with annual renewal quotes delivered via email.
Elements Use Cases
Use case 1: Complex Building Design
Developers like WSP/McGee effectively utilized Elements in designing a complex basement for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. With its sturdy capabilities, it’s the perfect choice for architects and civil engineers.
Use case 2: Efficient Designing
Be it steel, concrete, or timber, Elements enables cost-effective design and analysis for varied materials. Companies like VYOM significantly reduced design costs using STAAD, Elements’ sibling program.
Use case 3: Graphic Design Beginners
For beginners wishing to master the basics of graphic design, Elements can be a valuable educational resource. Its informative modules cover graphic design history, principles, software requirement, providing a solid starting point for aspirants.
Lightroom
Allow the mighty Lightroom, a beacon in Adobe’s image organization and image processing software, illuminate your path to perfection. Backed by the impeccable credentials of Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription family, this tool finds support on all platforms, from Windows and macOS to iOS and Android, even reaching out to Apple TV enthusiasts.
Lightroom Top Features
An arsenal for photo editing – altering contrast, balancing color, transforming brightness just after capture.
Built-in/customizable presets, offering the magic of photography editing on-the-go.
Enhanced editing functions including white balance, tone curve, spot removal, red eye correction and a plethora of other adjustment brushes.
Efficient organization of modifications, allowing users to save, flag, tag, color code images, and outstretch to export images.
Non-destructive software, delicately preserving original images apart from in-program edits, and saving edited frames as a new file.
Our Verdict
Utility
Affluence in features
Lightroom is abundantly stocked with the choicest tools, making it favored choice among photographers, graphic designers, digital marketers and social media managers.
Ease of Integration
Ability to work alongside other Adobe software like Photoshop, further broadening the scope of creative ventures.
Variety of Pricing
Proffers a range of pricing options to suit varied profiles of users, making quality accessible at diverse costs.
Lightroom Limitations
Requires monthly subscription fee to access Adobe Creative Cloud.
Lightroom Classic restricts to desktop use whereas Adobe Lightroom supports mobile devices and AppleTVs.
Lightroom Pricing
The cost of individual licensing stands at $9.99/month whereas it seeks investment ranging from $9.99 to $54.99/month when bundled with Photoshop and online storage.
Lightroom Use Cases
Use case 1: Photographers
Lightroom enables photographers to seamlessly edit, organize, and rapidly disseminate their artwork, keeping pace with the dynamism of the digital world.
Use case 2: Graphic Designers
Graphic Designers, by harnessing the comprehensive editing functions, can refine their creations to match their vision and purpose with precision.
Use case 3: Digital Marketers & Social Media Managers
Digital Marketers and Social Media Managers, can wield the power of Lightroom to heighten the visual appeal of their campaigns and social media posts, gripping the attention of their target audience more effectively.
Tiffany Brise
Content writer @ Aircada, patiently awaiting a consumer AR headset that doesn’t suck.
