Difference Between Photoshop and Illustrator
In this article, we will discuss the difference between Photoshop vs Illustrator. Adobe Photoshop is the most famous and popular image editing software developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. worldwide. The program was constructed by two famous authors Thomas and John Knoll, in the year 1988. Since then, the program has been updated numerous times and has presently become a commercially accepted program amongst all the designers and artists. Not only, professionals but Photoshop is used by students, teachers and even hobbyists. Adobe Photoshop is a vast program that has an infinite number of tools, functions, effects, commands, and options to perform editing of an image. It is raster-based software; the quality of the image depends on the number of pixels present in the image. Presently, Adobe sells the latest version of Photoshop as a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud pack.
Adobe Illustrator is also a part of Adobe Creative Cloud pack and is marketed and developed by Adobe Inc. the creation of the software began in the year 1987, but first, it was made for Apple Mac only. Later, with up-gradation and advancement in technology, the program was made and developed for both Windows and Mac. Adobe Illustrator is the most used and desired vector graphic software used for creating and editing 2d artworks and materials. The program is resolution independent and does not pixelate at all. The program has a huge collection of tools and functionality that helps the user create stunning logos, business materials, brochures, advertising or marketing materials, and much more. The file is saved in the AI format. We can also import Illustrator files into Photoshop for further editing.
Head to Head Comparisons Between Photoshop and Illustrator (Infographics)
Below are the top 12 comparisons between Photoshop vs Illustrator:
Key Differences between Photoshop and Illustrator
Let us discuss some of the major key differences:
- Photoshop is a resolution-dependent program; hence the quality of the image becomes blurred and pixelates while zooming to a certain percentage. While Illustrator is a resolution-independent program and the quality of the image is clear even at the maximum level of Zoom.
- Using the selection tool in Photoshop, the area around the object is selected. While in Illustrator, the object itself is selected.
- In Illustrator, the user can easily work and create outside the area of the workspace. While in Photoshop, everything is created and designed inside the area of the workspace.
- Photoshop is generally used for creating web graphics or editing images; it is not used to create print materials. While Illustrator is a pro in creating Print materials and artworks.
Photoshop vs Illustrator Comparison Table
Let’s look at the top comparisons:
| Photoshop | Illustrator |
| It is a raster-based Image Editing Program | It is a vector-based 2D Graphic Designing Program. |
| It is used for editing Raw images, retouching, adding filters, and based complex editing. |
It is used to create various 2D artworks and materials used for web and printing purposes. |
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Photoshop has the most basic tools for image editing and the most complex tools as well. |
Illustrator has the most useful and fundamental set of tools for creating 2D artworks. |
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It is a raster-based program that works on pixels, and for this fact, the user can work on a single pixel as well. |
It is a vector graphics editing program that uses mathematical formulas for creating artworks. |
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It is not used for 3D graphics. |
Illustrator can be used for creating 3D graphics as well. |
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Organizing elements in Photoshop is much easier; it has a layers option that helps to do so. |
Managing things on an illustrator can be confusing sometimes. |
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The quality of logos, text, and layouts in Photoshop is not worth it. |
Illustrator creates vector-based logos, text layouts, and creations that have 100% quality to them. |
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The Pen Tool in Photoshop is sometimes confusing and difficult to handle. |
The Pen Tool of the illustrator is smooth and easier to handle. |
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We can import any image format on Photoshop and edit the same using tools present in the program. Such as red-eye removal or spot healing. |
If an image is imported in Illustrator, we cannot edit the image with the tools present in the program. |
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In Photoshop, the user can work on a single canvas at one point in time. |
In Illustrator, the user can work on multiple artboards simultaneously. |
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In Photoshop, while using the clipping mask, the mask is created and applied below the object. |
In Illustrator, while using the clipping mask, the mask is created and applied above the selected object. |
| Mostly, the RGB color model is used for creating web graphics in Photoshop. | Mostly, CMYK color mode is used for creating print graphics in Illustrator. |
Conclusion
Both Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop stand equal for their different purposes and uses. While one is used for image editing, the other one is used for creating objects. Both programs are advanced and complex software and involve a great set of tools and functions required for different purposes and uses.
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This is a guide to Photoshop vs Illustrator. Here we discuss the Photoshop vs Illustrator key differences with infographics and a comparison table. You can also go through our other related articles to learn more –
