In the most recent update, we especially like the new 3D tools, elegant vector editing and the cloud teamwork function. That dominance is starting to ebb a little, with a rush of new rivals into the space. But it remains one of the most sought-after design apps for Windows, and our recent testing showed exactly how good it is (we gave it a strong four and half stars).Īs with Photoshop, its rivals are largely competing on price, and for those whom money is less important than efficiency, Illustrator remains a hugely powerful and versatile tool, that Adobe is constantly making efforts to improve further. This app is getting more and more sophisticated by the day for example, Adobe added cloud documents version history, and support for cloud documents in offline mode.įirst launched in 1987, Illustrator (opens in new tab) has been the natural companion to Photoshop for generations of illustrators and designers, and it’s long been considered the standard vector drawing tool for the industry. Plus, the iPad version is a handy addition (find out more in our Photoshop for iPad review). We especially love the new neural filters, and powerful 3D modelling and 3D printing features. If you’re a freelancer, of course, you have more scope for using other software, but it will probably be difficult to avoid it altogether.īut is it a any good? Well, with so many design apps for Windows around, you don’t stay on top in an ever-expanding industry for nothing, and our most recent testing found Adobe has made strident efforts to update its tool to keep it relevant for 2022. Indeed, you'll probably struggle get a job without knowing how to use it. Possibly the best known of all design apps for Windows, Photoshop (opens in new tab) has dominated the profession for the last three decades, and remains the go-to for studios everywhere.

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