Corel Draw vs. Illustrator: Which is the best?
Here a nice discussion on which vector graphic design software is the best. Based on what I have read around the internet, Adobe Illustrator is being touted the best, yet here in Davao most of the graphic designers that I know has lauded that Corel Draw is their preferred tool for vector graphics.
Personally, I used Corel Draw as my vector graphic design tool of choice since version 11 , yet when Adobe released their creative suite 3 package. Here's my comparison of both softwares.
- Adobe Illustrator has more good effects and tools than Corel Draw.
- Ai files can be imported directly to Photoshop, while in Corel you need to convert it to ai
- When it regards to vector art, Corel Draw is much easier to use.
Corel Draw X3 Screenshot
Adobe Illustrator CS3 Screenshot
Conclusion: Corel Draw might be cheaper and easier to use, but as a graphic designer, I really like the effects that Adobe Illustrator offers.
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Comments
Both are powerful programs but Illustrator is touted as “the Standard” by graphic designers all over the world just because it has the ADOBE name attached to it. Speaking of monopoly.
Now digging deeper into the programs itself, one can easily see the huge difference between the two in terms of ease of use, learning curve, file handling and price. Of course Adobe is a giant that nobody would dare question the claim of being the “Industry Standard”. Sorry but I have to disagree here. Though I love Photoshop above all other paint programs out there, with vectors CorelDraw and other vector programs out there simply outrun Illustrator.
Ok I can’t elaborate much here but here are a few links to explain why: http://lifeonthec-bus.blogspot.com/2007/09/smackdown-illustrator-vs-coreldraw.html , http://www.esotropiart.com/blog/blog.php?end=430&fetch=1
Ok, then why does Illustrator still dominates the market? Bacause of the following reasons:
1) Most if not all graphic companies would insist to only use the “Industry Standard” that is Illustrator.
2) A highly skilled designer/Artist may be discounted and ridiculed if he/she insists on using “substandard” software that is Corel and all the others out there that is not labelled ADOBE. It is much like being a respected scientist and not believing the evolution..lol… You’d be booted out by your peers from their circles in no time, discredited and your work regarded as nothing serious.
3) Adobe has monopolized the graphics industry so much that they made it very difficult for other programs to keep up with handling file formats between competing products. Like you use Corel and your clients would only submit Illustrator files or your printing company would only accept Illustrator format. Corel can convert into such formats but Adobe made it very difficult that the resulting file would have compatibility issues and a hell lot of other problems.
4) It’s just like Windows – Machintosh battle… There was a time when most of our favorite softwares and games were only available in Windows so almost everyone was forced to use Windows.
This was how an artist summed it all up:
While Illustrator has some nice features, overall it’s depressingly difficult to use relative to the speed and intuitive nature of CorelDRAW. The bottom line:
no matter how “good” someone becomes with Illustrator, they’ll never be faster than a skilled CorelDRAW user.
It all boils down to the user. True, CorelDraw is easy to grasp, but the functionality of AI to Photoshop tandem is quite handy.
Note lang: Hehe, when you compare two, you use “better”.
Lalo has a point, my brother is like, lightning quick when doing something on CorelDRAW, actually seems like he’s typing,, now I haven’t seen an experienced Illustrator user in action so I don’t really have a point of ref, I’m just saying.
Our business relies heavily on CD(something to do with decals/stickers if you’re wondering), and at times, most of the time actually,, customers do line up, so the ease of using CD really does come in handy.
CorelDraw is much easier to work for vector editing. I try AI but it was too much hard to edit nodes. But in color management, AI is better than Draw. AI was called "industry standard" depends on what industry "you are in." Industry seems to refer to "DTP" or Pre-press industry. Then AI was the standard in that industry. But in the sign making and fashion design industry, CorelDRAW is the standard.
I am an art director having more than 7 years of exp. in the international industry. what i found is almost 95% of professionals are using Illustrator. their reason to use the same is 1) a blind devotion to name Adobe. 2) illustrator offers more ready made designs as well as plug ins. but from my own experience, a good designer can create with Corel draw something more than what illustrator offers. but he should have enough patience to do. one more advantage is there in this. that is the design will be his OWN creation in every meaning. I dont believe to claim the authenticity of a creation by using templates of ready made features.
by all these reasons i strongly support CorelDraw
I use Photoshop so I’d go for Illustrator. You can actually drag images between the two. Saves a lot of time.