Graphic design has always been the subject of interest for many students & jobholders. For students, it’s a very important part of their curriculum in schools and colleges. But before they start designing they might have certain questions in mind like ‘What graphic designing software I should use?’, ‘Should I use free or paid software?’ etc.
Graphic design tools make it possible for professionals and amateurs alike to create original graphics. Designers using a computer often require the help of specific software to help them prepare layouts, organize files, build images or typography, or even develop digital videos. The applications described below are some of the most popular software choices used by designers today.
Scribus—free InDesign alternative
Scribus is an open-source desktop publishing program. Though not nearly as good-looking and expansive as InDesign, it’s a good substitute if you’re in a pinch.
Autodesk SketchBook—free sketch software
SketchBook is a great program if you want to quickly sketch ideas and create conceptual sketches, drawings and artwork—and it’s completely free.
Inkscape
Inkscape, like many other platforms, provides multi-purpose use. It can be used by designers, illustrators, or web designers. The software has flexible drawing tools, which make it easy for beginners to understand the software and create art without difficulty. As the text is an integral part of graphic design, Inkscape has a powerful text tool at your disposal. This software is open source and can be used with any platform. A designer has to spend some time understanding how to use this software. This software is best used to create images that are vector-based and needs to be required in SVG format. Inkscape provides a lot of filters and a helpful community for the designer to grow.
Platform: Windows, Linux, and Mac
Adobe Comp
Adobe Comp is a graphic design app designed to be used along with other Adobe software like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. Designs can be created with the use of text and shapes. Adobe provides free fonts from Typekit library, which are the same as desktop. With Comp, you can convert your rough designs into crisp graphics and finish the designs on your desktop with other Adobe software.
Platform: iOS and Android
Xara Xtreme
This Xara Xtreme software offers a wide variety of photo editing features and illustration tools. It has a range of extensive features that can assist you in maneuvering the color and texture of your images. Furthermore, it facilitates you to quickly remove any distortion caused by the lens, whatsoever. In fact, the main page offers basic tips and guidelines so as to understand the functioning of the design software. It has certain masking tools available as well. The resizing of images can also be done without having to put the quality at stake. This software has a pretty robust support page that addresses user’s issues and provides solutions for the same. Pros
- Tools are available for both vector and raster images.
- Can export directly to any social media website.
Cons
- No history log available; use of undo button to reverse actions.
Corel PaintShop
The Corel Paintshop Pro 2020 is the latest version released by the Coral team. It is a seemingly impressive photo editing tool that even helps in photo management. It even possesses professional grade tools that can be easily used by both professionals and newbies. It provides video tutorials and other forms of support forums to better the understanding of the software. It has more than 90 creative filters that can be used to improve the texture and color of your image. It is compatible with image files like RAW, JPG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, PSD and PDF. Pros
- Auto edit option.
- A supporter of batch processing, i.e, multiple files can be edited at the same time.
Cons
- Only compatible with windows.
Corel PhotoImpact
Corel PhotoImpact provides an easily navigated and friendly interface. The Corel PhotoImpact X3 provides one with a wide collection of designing and editing tools made easily accessible to you. This can make it appear tricky, hence, it has been divided into eight operative fields. ExpressFix or Full Edit mode serve the purpose of editing the photos. ExpressFix provides the option to adjust exposure, color, skin tone and focus with just a click. Whereas, Full Edit has the editing options like portrait touch-ups, enhancements and effects. It has an interesting combination of both basic and advanced tools. It holds the compatibility with 32 file formats inclusive of RAW, JPG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, PSD and animated GIFs. Pros of graphic design tool
- Availability of panorama and HDR imaging tools to create visually captivating effects.
- It offers an extensive support system.
- It has the main docked panel to hold all the other panels and swiftly hide and show them as per requirement.
Cons
- Limited sharing features.
- Sluggish development in its software.
- Apart from the above-mentioned graphic design tools which had broad.
Cyberlink
Features of graphic design software tool
- A bunch of tools to offer under these tabs, namely, Library, Adjustment, Edit, Layers, Slideshow, and Print.
- A pen tool to draw colored pixels on photo layers.
- History log: serve the purpose of undoing the unwanted changes.
- Cyberlink provides a strengthened support system like support forums, telephone support, video tutorial, user guides, etc.
Sumopaint
Features
- Options like Classic Layer Effects, 3D effects, Light Effects, Edge detection etc provides it an edge over other apps.
- Sumopaint offers professional painting tools; over 300 brushes, Animated Brushes, and advanced options like scattering and random rotation are also available.
Vector
Features
- Not just a standalone app but a web-based app as well.
- Vector has a low learning curve.
- Its basic graphics editor is free.
Google Sketch-up
Features
- A 3D modeling software with full of ease.
- Google sketch-up can conveniently customize everything.
- One can stretch, rotate, copy, paste & even draw lines and shapes.
- One can add model views to pages by using the Pro version.
Conclusion
The tools of the graphic design trade have changed significantly in the last few years with the advent of digital technology. These software programs are easier to use, cheaper, and most importantly, more accessible – enabling more people to take up graphic design for a hobby or even as a potential career plus of course allowing you to produce designs faster and without any creative limitations.