Graphic Design Software

[Huntingwhale]

Hey all,

Can anyone recommend a good graphic design software? Part of my role at work involves creating various free-form graphic illustrations (wellbore diagrams, cross sections, etc).

For the most part I do it all in PowerPoint using their basic annotation and shape outlines. While they usually turn out pretty decent, I'm usually limited by PowerPoint's features and feel that a true graphic design program would benefit me more and make the images much better.

Can anyone recommend a good software? I've looked into Corel Draw, but really I have no idea what the best and most user friendly one might be.

Any suggestions?

[Otto-matic]

The Adobe suite is industry standard for graphic design, you can usually sign up for a month to month basis IIRC from Adobe. They are all pretty user friendly products with a ton of tutorials on Youtube/Internet.

The Gimp is a free style of Photoshop, I haven't touched it so I don't know how difficult the program is to use.

https://www.gimp.org/

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

The Adobe suite is industry standard for graphic design, you can usually sign up for a month to month basis IIRC from Adobe. They are all pretty user friendly products with a ton of tutorials on Youtube/Internet.

The Gimp is a free style of Photoshop, I haven't touched it so I don't know how difficult the program is to use.

https://www.gimp.org/

Thanks for the Gimp recommend. I've been a heavy Photoshop user for the last 20 years. Windows 10 doesn't really like my old version and I'm not interested in paying $15/month for a new Adobe subscription. Just downloaded Gimp, and wow it is very very similar.

[photon]

Gimp is more for raster type images, illustrations are typically vector type.

I used to use Corel Draw and I preferred that one, but don't know what the current versions are like.

Adobe Illustrator is the Adobe equivalent to Corel Draw, as mentioned you can sign up for a subscription.

Inkscape is an open sourced vector art alternative to Illustrator, kinda like how Gimp is for Photoshop. LibreOffice comes with Draw which is also similar.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by photon

Gimp is more for raster type images, illustrations are typically vector type.

I used to use Corel Draw and I preferred that one, but don't know what the current versions are like.

Adobe Illustrator is the Adobe equivalent to Corel Draw, as mentioned you can sign up for a subscription.

Inkscape is an open sourced vector art alternative to Illustrator, kinda like how Gimp is for Photoshop. LibreOffice comes with Draw which is also similar.

I'll have to check out Inkscape for next time I need to do some vectors.

[Huntingwhale]

Thanks for the suggestions. In doing some research, I've also come across Affinity Designer. It looks to be very comparable to Illustrator, and some reviewers have flat out said they prefer it. It's also only $70 for a lifetime subscription.

Anyone have any experience with it?

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Thanks for the suggestions. In doing some research, I've also come across Affinity Designer. It looks to be very comparable to Illustrator, and some reviewers have flat out said they prefer it. It's also only $70 for a lifetime subscription.

Anyone have any experience with it?

At $70 for life, it's worth a shot IMO.

I use Adobe's suite mainly, but this intrigues me...

[Iceman90]

If you are doing illustrations, you'll want to use InkScape over Gimp, as it's more based around vector graphics. It's the open source version of Adobe Illustrator.

[para transit fellow]

Xara

[TheScorpion]

For a free online editor, I use Canva a ton. But it's pretty basic, and I imagine that I'll get the Adobe suite at some point.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Adobe Suite hands down.