Usefull plug-in

[MahaB82A]

Which is usefull plugin for Ai in Astute Graphics apart from Randomino? file also uploaded

[Bobby Henderson · Accepted solution]

Out of all the plugins in the Astute Graphics suite I probably use Vector First Aid the most often. I have to handle a good amount of customer provided art files, some of which are provided in PDF format. Vector First Aid can save a lot of time by cleaning up all sorts of technical issues in that artwork.

The VectorScribe and PathScribe plugins have a lot of useful tools for editing paths. I like the InkScribe tool as an alternative to Illustrator's stock pen tool. The Reform plugin provides a different, interactive way to edit paths. ColliderScribe has some handy functions for aligning and positioning objects.

There is a lot to dig into in the whole suite of plugins. A couple of the free ones are pretty handy to keep after running a trial of the suite. Autosavior is a must-have plugin. The DirectPrefs plugin can do away with the need to hit Ctrl+K on the keyboard for certain tasks.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Depending on what exactly you will be doing, they can all be extremely helpful.

Here is a list of which tools, menu functions, effects and panels they install and what those are good for. I had to shorten that list brutally. SO all of them will offer a lot more in the details: https://www.vektorgarten.de/astute-graphics-intro.html

[MahaB82A]

Specially I subscribed Astute Grapics to do videos uploaded by you. Therefore it is highly appreciated if you give the name of plug-ins you use. Which can make my work easy.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

For me that would be:

Astute Buddy: Quick help for all the plugins

SubScribe: construction

ColliderScribe: Snapping

Phantasm; vector halftones and Photoshop-like color editing

VectorScribe: pretty advanced effects, Round corners effect and Smart Point Eraser (I'm not using the other tools it has a lot, but its pen tool replacement can be pretty efficient as well)

FindReplace

You might want to use Autosaviour for your backups

And if you need to edit a lot of other peoples' files, then definitely VectorFirstAid (see Bobby's reply)

Then there are some that I'm not using a lot, because they are aimed at very specific workflows or styles. But if those are the things you want to do, then those are the plugins you want to install: 

Stylism: various special effects - if Blockshadow (long shadow) effects are your thing, you will need it

WidthScribe: all sorts of impressive things around variable widths, e.g. woodcut-like effects

MirrorMe: nice for Mandalas

Stipplism: stipple effects

[MahaB82A]

Thanks for all.