Best Vector Programs?

Submitted by JosephX on Sat, 10/10/2009 - 08:11
Forums: 
Graphics and Design

What are the best Vector Programs? Is Adoble Illustrator the industry standard?

Location: 
United States

Ghostwork Ink

Fri, 12/18/2009 - 11:55

pc all the way.

@Justin_PalmTees

weinkitquick

Tue, 06/05/2012 - 22:12

go pc

hobstrabbie

Tue, 08/21/2012 - 02:34

I'm now interested in trying out Corel and Adobe Illustrator. I thought Adobe Photoshop was the best. What can you guys say about AP? :D

Embroidery Perth

Wed, 06/17/2015 - 12:44

For me, I prefered both.
CorelDraw is Windows only software, AI is cross platform and industry standard.
Somethings are better in Corel and some other things are good in Adobe illustrator.

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nastystitch

Tue, 01/29/2013 - 23:55

Corel Draw 1 with AOL 1.0 and dial up modem. I have been using Corel since day 1 .. Corel all the way!

deviana

Mon, 09/10/2012 - 16:43

still used Macromedia freehand and some with corel

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DecalDude

Sat, 08/28/2010 - 17:33

AI. Definately. I have a brand new cs5 if you wanna buy it. Selling for half of retail. Contact me at

sgsellsit

Fri, 08/20/2010 - 23:24

We use Corel and AI but prefer Corel. We utilize some other software and equipment that will work right out of Corel without other interfaces or having to save, export, import and then utilize the file. I also have a lot of school students that work for me from time to time and the learning curve in Corel is much shallower than AI. Corel bundles a lot of heavily used functions into one click right out of the box. Also, Corel is cheaper and you don't have the registration headaches that Abobe products bring with them. As far as Mac or PC really is judged by what you are doing. We have equipment that is not MAC compatible. Macs are a little more expensive as well as the software and a lot of computer companies are not set up to work on them. The offering of MAC compatible peripherals, software, add ons and such are growing but are still greatly outnumbered by PC based programs and peripherals.

Carlyn Rehbein

Sun, 03/19/2017 - 23:08

It's either Corel or Adobe Illustrator but I only use AI.

alex_riaxe

Tue, 09/27/2016 - 03:54

You can use pngtosvg.com for reduced color vector conversion.

Alex Parker
[URL=http://www.inkxe.com]http://www.inkxe.com[/URL]

Jimbo17

Sun, 12/20/2009 - 15:49

In my humble opinion for the money it's hard to beat CorelDraw.

I used PhotoShop for years until I learned CorelDraw and now that is all I use.

I have created over 4,000 vector images for a business I run and once you learn to use Corel you will never want to use any other program.

I will say that there is a learning curve for CorelDraw just like any other software program.

My vote CorelDraw !!!!!! Learn it and you are on your way to making money.

Jimbo

LogoAdvantage

Sat, 09/19/2015 - 12:54

Im gonna be the "Odd Ball" on this answer.
Our favorite is Flexi Pro
We have Corel and CS5 Illustrator / Photoshop etc as well.

For VECTOR we use Flexi 95 % of the time over anything else however I do like a few things like soft shadows better in Adobe Illy.

When working with Photos its Photoshop all the way for us.

I think Apple is great but in my world it will not work since we also do embroidery on top of everything else and there is no good embroidery software for Mac. Yes there is a program its just not very good !

Were software poor but me and the other graphic artist on staff both prefer Flexi Sign for most everything we do over the mainstream programs mentioned above and it rips strait to our large format printers as well.

helloimjosh

Sun, 01/03/2010 - 13:12

MAC = Making A Career ... so use it for business/work related needs.

PC = Personal Crap/Computer ... so use this at home or for myspace or w/e else you need to do on a computer.

tompainesbones

Sun, 01/03/2010 - 13:28

tompainesbones wrote:
NO! NO! NO! I was just kidding, honest? I'll get flamed by the massed hordes of Steve Jobs army!

I was right!!

Dave UK [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/imagesetting-systems.htm]imagesetters[/URL] and [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/RIP-software.htm]Wasatch RIP[/URL]

Palmetto7

Wed, 11/28/2012 - 21:14

Over the years we have had to adapt to the needs of our customers. They often have brought us artwork they created with the various software. Needless to say we have added programs that we probably would not have purchased when we started. Which ever you select , be patient, have an open mind and you will do well.

whattodo

Fri, 01/08/2010 - 15:19

I am looking into purchasing a embroidery machine. I need some opinions on weather I should by new or used. What is the word out on AMAYA ? It seems like it can do no wrong. Does anybody have an opinion on that machine? Does it have capabilities to digitize as well ?
I no someone wanting to sell me a 2002 AMAYA with low hours. What should I be aware of?

whattodo

Fri, 01/08/2010 - 15:20

I am fairly new to the business. However, I have run a six head machine for a fews years.

alex_riaxe

Fri, 05/22/2015 - 01:51

Illustrator is more user friendly. Even if Corel is a bit cheaper I would go for Adobe products. They are simply the best.

Alex Parker
[URL=http://www.inkxe.com]http://www.inkxe.com[/URL]

Mandy Jenkins

Fri, 08/13/2010 - 16:25

just my 2 cents, go with illustrator! corel gave me a headache!

NWEmbroidery

Thu, 12/27/2012 - 16:55

Corel and Illustrator can do pretty much the same things in term of vector design, except Corel is cheaper. In terms of bitmap editing though, Adobe Photoshop blows Corel Photo Paint away by a mile.

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Emydesign

Tue, 01/05/2010 - 14:23

....Your question is very valid- I am a graphic designer - For the classic mile i
choose Adobe Illustrator over any other software program. I design graphics for
screen printing and Illustrator provide with the freedom and flexibility that I need
to create some complecated graphics. Once you learn Illustrator-you will not want to
mess with any other program! Corel Draw is an ok one!

SkyLinePrints

Sun, 10/11/2009 - 08:28

most screen printers i know use Corel. most graphic artists i know use Illy.

Have a great day! :)

Nathan Harrison
Skyline Prints Embroidery and Screen Printing
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tompainesbones

Mon, 10/12/2009 - 05:39

Corel or AI are best, Corel is slightly cheaper and has the whole suite.
Try Inkscape and GIMP which are free and open source for starters.

Dave UK [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/imagesetting-systems.htm]imagesetters[/URL] and [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/RIP-software.htm]Wasatch RIP[/URL]

euromk2

Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:47

Come on guys lets be really here, hands down Illustrator, :D

tompainesbones

Wed, 10/14/2009 - 10:20

The operator is the most important thing, be it Mac, PC or Ai or Corel, if the guy doesn't know how to use them they're just expensive ways of filling a hard drive.
I prefer Illy but like Corel too.

Dave UK [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/imagesetting-systems.htm]imagesetters[/URL] and [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/RIP-software.htm]Wasatch RIP[/URL]

Flint54

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 13:32

Corel or AI, these are the two main programs in use. Each has it's pluses and minuses along with their own following. AI users will swear by Illy and condemn Corel and vice versa.

Bottom line is use what you are comfortable with, Corel is IMO more user friendly than AI. Each will do fantastic artwork based on the ability of the artist. Take a top of the line artist in each and I seriously doubt that ANYONE would be able to tell if the work was done with AI or Corel!! :eek: :eek:

Worn Id

Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:41

I use Corel as it was very user friendly to learn in as I had NO experience when I got thrown into the designing part of our business (our graphic designer moved out of state)

I very much agree with the last post, use what YOU are comfortable with; it will make your life easier and your business more productive!

Good Luck!

Laurie:)

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Ghostwork Ink

Mon, 11/16/2009 - 10:56

couldn't have said it better euromk2.
AI is where its at!

@Justin_PalmTees

tompainesbones

Wed, 11/18/2009 - 05:43

...now Mac or PC?

Dave UK [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/imagesetting-systems.htm]imagesetters[/URL] and [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/RIP-software.htm]Wasatch RIP[/URL]

Worn Id

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 10:12

roflmbo!!!

I will be interested to see the response to this one...
I am using a PC, both at work and at home...

Laurie :)

[SIZE=4][SIZE=3][COLOR=DarkOrange][I]WORN IDENTI-TEES[/I][/COLOR][/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=DarkSlateGray][B]wornid@yahoo.com[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

tompainesbones

Sat, 11/21/2009 - 05:23

Worn Id wrote:
roflmbo!!!
Laurie :)

new one on me, it means...?

Dave UK [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/imagesetting-systems.htm]imagesetters[/URL] and [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/RIP-software.htm]Wasatch RIP[/URL]

Flint54

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 14:46

Rolling on Floor Laughing My Butt Off you can also use google.

Worn Id

Tue, 11/24/2009 - 18:24

:P

sorry I have teens... :)

[SIZE=4][SIZE=3][COLOR=DarkOrange][I]WORN IDENTI-TEES[/I][/COLOR][/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=DarkSlateGray][B]wornid@yahoo.com[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

tompainesbones

Thu, 11/26/2009 - 11:39

NO! NO! NO! I was just kidding, honest? I'll get flamed by the massed hordes of Steve Jobs army!

Dave UK [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/imagesetting-systems.htm]imagesetters[/URL] and [URL=http://www.positivityltd.co.uk/RIP-software.htm]Wasatch RIP[/URL]

WhiteFX

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 00:53

AI all the way.

It's been a while since I've used Corel but if I'm not mistaken, I believe that when you draw with the pen tool in Corel, you don't draw with bezier curves. I have heard that working with type in Corel has more flexibility. Either way, I'm glad that I chose to learn AI in the beginning.

fwscreener

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 07:54

We use both AI and Corel, Hands down AI is better and has more options. With that being said your learning curve for AI is hands down going to take a long time, maybe classes at night. While we use both AI and Corel and I do think AI is better, but Corel wins, here is why. Corel will do 95% maybe everything you need to do, Corel's cost compared to AI, hands down Corel wins, training new employees on Corel, hands down this is a no brainer! If you plan on having employees Corel is the only way to go!!!!! If you try to hire employees with AI experience, you might be shutting your doors in a short period of time. AI users are very proud people and demand $$$$$. As far as getting work done and ready for screening, in our opinion hands down, a Corel user will get that artwork to production before an AI user. I don't know why........

FYI, you will also need to have AI because you may have customers send you vectored artwork in AI format. Hands down here also, you can open (I am going to say all here but could be wrong) all Corel drawings in AI, but you cannot open all AI files in Corel.

Thanks and hope this helps

tpitman

Fri, 12/16/2011 - 05:27

One thing I don't see mentioned, is that CorelDraw isn't available to run on the Mac OS, unless Windows is installed on an Intel Mac machine. That said, most screenprinters buy Corel because it's cheap. If you produce any work that might venture out into the offset print world, get Illustrator. Native Corel files are laughed at, and declined, outside of screenprinting.
And, while more expensive, a Mac is generally more stable. PeeCees are for people who like to mess with the hardware. Macs are for people who want to get something done besides play World of Warcraft in their Mom's basement. (There, that oughta be good for a fight!) JK

Printwizard

Sun, 12/18/2011 - 10:29

I don't do the art so I don't really know. We use mostly mac and illustrator and Photoshop. Don't really use cdr much.
BUT I do hear from anoer printer they have some amazing new program and they won't tell what it is that redraws and vectorises Jpegs really quick and easy, as a specific program. We get lots of bad files and would love to get my hands on that. When we get busy we had been farming work like that out to India to do. Cheap, definitely better than the customer ever had, although never 100% happy with it, you get what you pay for, and it sort of works, being too busy to do it ourselves, and the customers not having the budget it has it's place, but if we could find some magic conversion program it would be awesome.

inkman996

Wed, 12/21/2011 - 08:50

Printwizard wrote:

BUT I do hear from anoer printer they have some amazing new program and they won't tell what it is that redraws and vectorizes Jpegs really quick and easy, as a specific program. We get lots of bad files and would love to get my hands on that. When we get busy we had been farming work like that out to India to do. Cheap, definitely better than the customer ever had, although never 100% happy with it, you get what you pay for, and it sort of works, being too busy to do it ourselves, and the customers not having the budget it has it's place, but if we could find some magic conversion program it would be awesome.

It is probably Vector Magic. It is a fantastic stand alone trace program that is miles ahead of Corels trace or Ai's Live trace. But it is not free so if you need it often you should buy it, if only occasionally stick with an out source.

This whole thread got retarded as usual. The OP simply wanted to know what the industry standard is nothing more. Of course it turned into a ******* match and users defending why their software choice gives them a bigger D I C K. Seriously the answer to the OP question is Corel. It does not mean it is the best software it is just the truth as being the most common in our industry. Our industry is not off setters so AI is not as strong. When it comes to price Corel has the most bang for the buck and is not slightly cheaper than AI but much cheaper, not to mention you get the whole suite in the price.

As for the comment of CDR's being rejected by other industries who cares Corel excels in File Exporting, there is a reason files such as EPS exist use it. Thats another Corel is always pursuing the best import options unlike AI, in Corel you can import almost any Adobe extension but not so in reverse. Its like Adobe does not recognize Corel even exists.

varsityink

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 22:12

The truth is you should be able to be versatile enough to use, Corel, Illustrator, Photoshop or Freehand. They ALL have better/worse features than the other one.

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