If you’re working on a design that will be used across multiple platforms and at all different sizes, such as a logo, you will want to create a vector file.Ĭolor selection is very easy with vector files, as you simply choose the shape and choose your color from your swatch library or color selector. They can be any size you wish without losing quality and you will not have to worry about pixelation. The greatest benefit to vector files is their scalability. Because the image is made up of pixels where the color blends into each other, it may be near impossible to get color specific. One or the other will have to give.Ĭolor matching raster files can be very tricky as well. The most important thing to remember is that, while you can adjust the size and DPI, you cannot enlarge them both without losing quality. If you’re setting up files to be produced, you should always ask the vendor for their printing specifications prior to setup. However, if you were to get up close and personal with a billboard, you would see the large dots that make up the image. Billboards for instance, are a long distance read so you don’t notice the pixels when viewing at a distance. In cases of large format printing you can often get away with 75DPI at 100% scale. This is the standard for most offset and digital printing. For this reason, we ask our clients to provide their image files at a minimum of 300DPI (dots per inch) at 100% of the size they intend the photo to be produced. As I mentioned before, you cannot enlarge a raster file past the size it was created at without losing quality. On the down side, rasters are very limited in their scalability. Some of this is possible with vector files, but it’s very time-consuming and challenging. Color blending, smooth gradients, photorealistic images, are all easily achievable with raster files. Raster files offer a tremendous amount of flexibility for artists to achieve a wide range of effects. If you’re dealing with photography you are living in the raster world. The textured background is raster and the alligator is vector. Here’s an example of a simple page that combines text with both vector and raster files. Basically, any project that requires flexibility in page layout with text, graphics, and images, InDesign is perfect. InDesign also gives you the ability to publish your design for electronic use, such as on a tablet, through Adobe Digital Publishing Suite. This saves a ton of space in your layout by adding a link to more content. You can add a hyperlink on the calendar that takes you right to the URL to view the complete recipe. So let’s say you have a digital calendar where you want to feature specific products or recipes.
#Illustrator vs indesign pdf#
For example you can create a PDF file that contains links directing you to a specific URL. InDesign also has the ability to create interactive files. InDesign is the ideal application for creating brochures, catalogs, flyers, posters, ads, books, and stationery. A vector file when enlarged holds the quality and the edges are crisp and clean. Vector files can be scaled large enough to wrap the side of a building or small enough to imprint on an ink pen, all without losing the integrity and quality of the artwork.Īs you can see from the example below, when a raster file is enlarged it becomes pixelated and the edges appear jagged. The files can easily be produced on a multitude of mediums from offset printing, digital printing, screen printing, large format, and even easily converted for embroidery. Illustrator is perfect for creating logos and design elements.
This allows them to be used at any size without compromising quality. Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG) are based on lines and shapes. Instead, use Photoshop for images within the other applications I’m about to explain. You would never want to create your logo within Photoshop. The issue with a raster file is that it cannot be enlarged past the size that it was created. Photoshop is used to create raster files. Photos and web content are a great example of raster files.
Raster files (JPG, PNG, PSD, TIF), also known as bitmap files, are composed of millions of pixels. We’ve talked before about file types, now we’ll look at the programs that generate some of these file types. Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are programs included in this suite.įirst off, the programs each handle different file types. Adobe offers a suite of programs called the Adobe Creative Cloud. New to graphic design? Curious about Adobe Creative Cloud? Let me walk you through the differences between Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign and what applications are best suited for various projects.įile Types: Raster, Vector, Desktop Publishing