Difference Between Photoshop and Illustrator

Difference Between Photoshop and Illustrator – Talking about illustration design applications and image editing, it’s not far from this two popular software, namely Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Adobe Photoshop is called the master image editing software, this software allows users to edit, add image elements, and manipulate images according to their creativity and wishes.

While Adobe Illustrator is software designed to create illustration designs from vector images and the like, users can also be creative at will in creating various design works such as icons, logos, and illustrations.

Then, what design software is most suitable for beginners, Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator? Wait a minute, this is not about the most suitable or good, the problem is that both software are the same in one graphic, but in terms of use and features are quite different. Then what is the difference between Photoshop and Illustrator, to dig further, please refer to this article.

What is Adobe Photoshop?

Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor software designed for editing graphics in the form of images. Photoshop software was released on February 19, 1990, and was developed by Adobe Systems. Photoshop is bitmap-based software, which editors use to edit photos and manipulate images with various effects. With this software, users can process images by adjusting coloring, combining, giving effects, masking image objects, and using various other features.

This raster graphics software also has a layer feature in it for the image editing process. Coloring characteristics in Photoshop are RGB, CMYK, CIELAB, Spot Color, and Duo-Tone, and can save the results of editing files using PSD, PSB, and PDD file formats. Photoshop software is widely used by photographers because the photos produced are in Bitmap format for color editing and effect manipulation. If you like image editing, explore your potential with Adobe Photoshop, because it provides a variety of tools and complete features for processing photos and images.

What is Adobe Illustrator?

Adobe Illustrator is vector-based graphics software used to design illustrations and graphic content. The results of Illustrator’s work can be in the form of digital works or print media. Adobe Illustrator is a software developed by Adobe Systems as well as Adobe Photoshop. The latest version of Adobe Illustrator is CC2020 which was released last July 2020.

This vector graphics software is called the flagship software for graphic designers because the quality of the designs produced is very high. The characteristics of the resulting vector image have an accuracy that will not break even when enlarged. As a superior graphics software, many multimedia and advertising companies use it. Some of the works that can be created from Illustrator are brand logos, icons, packaging, typography, illustrations, billboards, brochures, graphic media, and much more.

Difference Between Photoshop and Illustrator

This section will discuss in detail the differences between Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. These two Adobe products have the same characteristics as design software but have different features and functions. To understand further, immediately see the full explanation below.

Function Difference

Adobe Photoshop has a special function in the design world, namely to carry out the process of editing images or bitmap photos. In addition, Photoshop has advantages in various features of image effects that can be played by the editor as desired. Several kinds of image editing in Photoshop can be in the form of Coloring, Lighting, Shadow, Masking, adding elements, and others.

Adobe Illustrator is designed as software for creating vector-based images. Illustrator invites users to explore the ability to create illustrations and vector designs from scratch. Not for photo editing like Photoshop, with Illustrator you can create vector-based logos, draw illustrations, create brochures, billboards, banners, and even create content design templates.

Software Users

The use of Photoshop and Illustrator software can be distinguished by the needs of the work involved. Illustrator is more often used by graphic designers whose work is always related to content design and illustration design.

While Photoshop is more often used by photographers and digital editors to edit image results. Lots of Illustrator design results are found on social media such as promotional designs as well as logos and products. The results of Photoshop’s work can be seen in photo manipulation designs and others.

Some people may use both Photoshop and Illustrator software interchangeably to fulfill their editing needs. Because even though the use is different, it’s not wrong if an editor edits the work with the two design software.

Raster vs Vector Based

Photoshop is a “raster-based” image editor software, while Illustrator uses “vector“. Raster-based applications use pixels to create or edit images. Of the millions of pixel sizes and color combinations that are combined to form an image. When a user zooms in on an image from Photoshop, the pixels can be viewed individually or broken apart.

While vectors are perfect smooth lines made by combining “points” or “nodes”. The resulting image from the vector can be scaled to a large size as desired, and the image lines on the vector will remain clean, clear, and not broken.

Image source: reformcreative.co.uk

However, the resulting raster and vector images are quite different. Raster is like you seeing an image with brush strokes on canvas, when you look closely you will see the texture of the strokes. While vectors are like you see colored smooth folded paper, the colors are enough to be a smooth, unbroken whole.

File Format Differences

Photoshop uses the default PSD format, while Illustrator uses the default AI, EPS, and SVG formats. By saving your Photoshop file in PSD format, you can still continue editing or even make changes you’ve made.

The same goes for Illustrator in AI format. You can make changes to all shapes and text layers. Both Photoshop and Illustrator can export projects as JPG or PNG.

Photoshop or Illustrator?

From the whole discussion, it can be concluded, that Photoshop and Illustrator each have their own advantages and disadvantages. In a need, you will use both, but at one time they are used for different purposes. Needs depend on the type of work.

Photoshop is mainly used for photo editing and manipulation, such as adjusting the black and white balance of images, removing parts of color objects, editing objects, giving effects, and others. When you have a photo object and want to make changes, then Photoshop is the choice.

Illustrator is mainly used for designing icons, and logos, and creating vector objects. Because drawing designs from scratch emphasizes the quality of certain sizes and techniques. You can create a logo freely in Illustrator because it adjusts the quality of the size and model that changes according to your needs.

Conclusion

Photoshop and Illustrator are very sophisticated and complex image design applications, but the characteristics of the two software are completely different in the comparison of raster vs vector results. After knowing the general differences, it can be used as a choice of one of the most appropriate software for your work.

Generally, graphic designers tend to study both rather than choose one. Because in the world of design, Photoshop and Illustrator are used interchangeably according to the wishes and needs.

So many explanations about the differences between Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, hopefully, it can be useful and useful. If there is something you need to ask, please write it in the comments column below. Thank you and good luck!