TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Graphics Packages From:Mpschiesl -at- ra -dot- rockwell -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 19 Oct 1999 10:15:55 -0500
I've been meaning to ask this for a long time. I am hoping to build
my library of graphics software over the next year, and I would like
to get some comments and recommendations (or warnings) on
what you've been using.
[FYI, I use my graphics packages for web graphics, cartoons, photo
editing, special effects, graphic designs, logos, backgrounds, technical
illustrations, and some basic animation (not making major motion pictures).]
Here are some of the packages that I have been using, and what
I think of them:
Photoshop - Excellent set of tools for artwork, photo editing, and
special effects. Now with animation tools. : )
Illustrator - Has a lot of nice designing tools, pdf, a little clumsy and not
as compatible or versatile as it should be with other Adobe products.
Paint Shop Pro - nice for the price (<$100), includes animation stuff,
sometimes results are not too professional-looking.
Visio - very comfortable for illustration and line art, good import/export,
reusable stencils, limitations on colors/special effects. Good for beginners.
AutoCAD LT - very helpful for precision drawings, needs help on
import/export.
CorelDraw - can't remember
MicroGrafx Designer - can't remember
How about Microsoft PhotoDraw? other Adobe graphics products?
Macromedia Fireworks? Any other 'secret goldmine' products?
I appreciate your feedback. : )
Michael Schiesl
Rockwell Automation Product Documentation