Illustrator vs Photoshop

[Indie767]

I am new to Illustrator and struggling with the program. I am unable to do simple tasks like creating a new layer in a sub group or moving a shape with a mouse (at times, I can only move a shape using my keyboard arrow controls). I am more familiar with Photoshop, which behaves with more predictability in my view. So here is the question. Is Photoshop a better drawing tool than Illustrator? (Yes I know AI is a vector based but Photoshop seems to be an easier and more versatile drawing program).

In other words, does anyone really use AI to create illustrations or is Photoshop the better tool? If AI is the better, can someone please point me to an up to date tutorial for CC 2017 version?

Thanks

[Monika Gause]

What kind of illustrations do you want to create?

How do you want to use your illustrations? (should they be infinitely scalable, repurposable to different media or kinds of reproduction, do you need to plot them, make neon signs, make them into 3D objects ....)

The documentation can be found in the Help menu.

If you're looking for tutorials on how to create specific artworks, it would help to know what exactly you want to create.

[Indie767]

My primary interest is creating characters to import into Character Animator. Scaling and re-purposing is not a major issue.

[Bill Silbert]

If you're creating characters for animation it does sound like more of a job for Illustrator.

[SJRiegel]

. Is Photoshop a better drawing tool than Illustrator?

It depends on the style of art you are trying for, and whether it needs to be scalable.

For most purposes, I find Illustrator a much better drawing tool than Photoshop. (I use Photoshop mostly for editing photos)

[Indie767]

Thanks for the feedback. I don't think AI will work for my application because I'm creating sub groups in layers and AI, from my experience, doesn't behave well when creating images in sub groups.

[Monika Gause]

  schrieb

Thanks for the feedback. I don't think AI will work for my application because I'm creating sub groups in layers and AI, from my experience, doesn't behave well when creating images in sub groups.

Most of us are doing that all the time. What exactly is not behaving well?

[edgrimley]

To use AI effectively you almost need to forget everything you learned in Photoshop...almost. You need to think of objects versus layers.

Unlike Photoshop, one uses layers in AI typically for organizational purposes. Groups in AI are used to unite multiple shapes to behave as one. The blending modes and filters one uses on PS layers, in AI they are used on the objects themselves.

[Indie767]

Thanks. I'm not a deep PS user but I do now know that it and AI are completely difference beasts. In any case, I suspect I need to take a AI course at my local community college someday.

[Indie767]

H Monika,

I am testing AI to create characters in Character Animator. Based on my experience, AI isn't really optimized to create characters/puppets for Animation.

One issue is that I cannot create a new layer within a sub group. No matter what I do, new layers are always created in the top group layer so I have to drag it into the desired sub group layer. Then, when I create a new object, I cannot select it separately from the other objects in the sub group nor can I move or re-position the object/shape with my mouse. I have to use the arrow keys instead. To workaround this, I have to create an object outside the subgroup, manipulate it and then manually drag it into the desired sub group.  (It would be a great feature to add a "Send to layer" option)

All of these limitations are annoying at best. My only interest in AI is to create characters for animation. However, I'm guessing that AI cannot support the many layers and sub layered groups that is needed to create and animate characters for Character Animator, (which is still in Beta). Knowing this now, I moved on to another platform more suitable for character creation and animation.

[Monika Gause]

I actually don't see a problem in creating characters for Character Animator in Illustrator.

I have done some.

Do you know the layers panel documentation?

How to use layers in Illustrator

There's a button for creating sub-layers inside the active layer

For selection: depends on the overall structure, so difficult to guess what exactly is your problem there.

[Indie767]

Hi, Yes I did see the How to Use Layers page and I had some success.

However, not all the features work. For example, when I try this,

Move an object to a different layer

• Select the object.
• Do one of the following:

  • Click the name of the desired layer in the Layers panel. Then choose Object > Arrange > Send To Current Layer.
  • Drag the selected-art indicator , located at the right of the layer in the Layers panel, to the layer you want.

  I don't see any of these options. For example, the "Send To Current Layer" option is grayed out so it is not an available feature. The blue selected-art indicator is nowhere to be found too. Perhaps I need more RAM. I have 8GB, which is enough for Premiere Pro and Aftereffects. Does AI require more RAM than that? 

  Additionally, I can only move a new object in sub group with my arrow keys/. Both my mouse and Wacom tablet can not do this task.

[Monika Gause]

Please describe precisely what you are selecting where (on the artboard, in the layers panel?) with which tool. And what exactly doesn't work then.

Also: show screenshots.

[Indie767]

Thanks, Monika,

Before I further trouble both of us by doing this, I'll try creating a new project. I've been using a character template that I downloaded and that could be one source of my problems. That and the fact that I still trying to wrap my mind around AI.

[Monika Gause]

Are you using the official CA templates?

[Indie767]

I don't think it is an official CA Template. I was using the Face template I downloaded at Okay Samurai Puppets.

[Monika Gause]

Okay Samurai is one of the responsible staff of Character Animator. He does the majority of tutorials and really knows this application.

Make sure that you get a template that is suitable for your version of CA. That's crucial.

[SebMurtagh]

It really depends on your illustration style and how you intend to produce your work. There are pros and cons for both applications and it'll ultimately come down to personal preference.

I actually use Photoshop to draw / paint / sketch and Illustrator for creating more graphical pieces and visual representations. (I'm sure Illustrator can be used for drawing as well but I find it quite cumbersome for that purpose!)

As a starting point, it may be worth looking into 'vector illustration' for Illustrator.

[Bill Silbert]

If you’re looking to create line art that is infinitely editable and scalable then Illustrator is the way to go. If you’re creating images that appear more like traditional paintings you might lean to Photoshop but you will be locked in to size and resolution restrictions. Either program will require an adjustment in thinking from what you might be used to in drawing on paper or canvas. Whatever you choose learn the tools really well before you get into intense drawing. Do that and you will get to the point where the mechanics of the programs won’t be able to stifle your creativity.

[Ton Frederiks]

Indie767  wrote

I am new to Illustrator and struggling with the program. I am unable to do simple tasks like creating a new layer in a sub group or moving a shape with a mouse (at times, I can only move a shape using my keyboard arrow controls).

I think your question should be more targeted at the problems you encounter.

You should create topics with the problems you have mentioned, these have nothing to do with Illustrator vs Photoshop, but are just "how to" problems in Illustrator.

[cbishop01]

The good Part about Illustrator is that is uses Vector graphics.  Which allows you to scale your artwork/Illustrations To any size you want without losing quality.  Photoshop uses Pixels which cannot be scaled UP without losing some quality.  If you have the patience i'd stick with Illustrator and get used to it.  But both PS and AI are great programs.