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Old 08-18-2018, 12:36 PM
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jagolden01 jagolden01 is offline
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Adobe Illustrator Alternative

I’ve been using Adobe software since 1987.
I have been furious over their decision to go CC with a monthly "rent" for using their software, I simply won’t do it.

I know a lot of folks on here use Inkscape but I just could never grasp it because Illustrator is so ingrained in my brain. I’m still limping along with CS3 but it is losing more and more functionality as I’ve had to update my computers operating software.

Well, I finally made the jump to a piece of software called Affinity Designer published by a company in England. Very nice software and you buy it/own it for $50 US (I got it for $35 US on sale), no monthly Adobe "toll" for using it.
Imports/ exports tons of formats including PSD and eps. I’ve brought in so many Adobe files seamlessly.
It is available for Mac and “PC.
It has a learning curve but am so happy to not have to be held hostage by Adobe. I also purchased an ebook for $10 US on Amazon to learn the software. Don’t be fooled by the ebooks single, one-star review. It is perfect for learning the basics of Affinity Designer and I’m very pleased with it also.

Hope maybe this can help someone else feeling abused by Adobe’s policies and practices.

A new real happy camper here.
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Old 08-18-2018, 12:41 PM
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P.S. Affinity also publishes a hard cover book on learning/using the software. I find it a little more difficult than the ebook from Amazon.

I think when I’m more familiar with the software, the hard cover book will fill deeper needs.
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Old 08-18-2018, 02:36 PM
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Hadn't heard that about Illustrator and Adobe. Played with Inkscape again a few days ago. I just have problems with it. May take a look at Affinity Designer since I can't justify buying CorelDraw which I think is better then Illustrator.

Just went to Adobe's site to check it out. They're out of their freaking minds. Oh well I don't use any of that anymore so will be happy with GIMP and Inkscape.
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Old 08-18-2018, 02:42 PM
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Thanks for the heads up!

I am still using Illustrator CS5 on my Ma.

So far it is behaving under High Sierra (macOS 10.13)- at least for now.

Always good to know what alternatives exist.

Inkscape certainly has the best price (free), but I still struggle to learn how to do the things I've done in Illustrator.

Too bad Corel dropped CorelDraw for the mac those many many years ago...
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Old 08-18-2018, 02:57 PM
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It sounds like I made a good choice by never switching to Illustrator.
I considered it a few times.

I stuck with buggy, glitchy and annoying Corel. LOL

Coreldraw Home & Student is $100
The full Suite for pro and commercial is $600 msrp.
It often sells for a lot less than that.

If you already have an older version of Corel, you can get the full suite upgrade (full) version for $200.
In fact, it goes on sale often...I've seen it for as low as $129

You can pick up older versions of Corel on ebay, amazon, and kijiji.
Newer stuff needs a serial, but many advertise they come with serials.
I think I have a really really really old version of Corel you can have.
Its about 20 years old, or more. lol

I have full versions of 16, 17 and 18.
Before that, I paid for version 10(?) about 10 years ago.
I've worked with every level from about 7 through to the current.
I got experience with other versions through a friend.
He was upgrading constantly and I would make copies and try to keep up with him.
Every time I thought about buying my own, he would switch, so I would hold off. lol

I will probably sell my 2017 Suite in a couple of years, when I am sure I don't need it.
*I believe you can reinstall and reuse the software with an already registered serial, you just can't register it again (for support and stuff).
I'll have to check into that.

There is a free trial at Corel.
I don't know if downloading the Trial from Corel is worth it.
First, it doesn't really give you enough time to learn anything about the software
unless you plan on binge learning in less than 15 days.
It also doesn't help you if you plan on buying an older version.
But if you already know anything about Corel and want to see what the newest version is all about...

I have an older version of Corel...version 16 I think it is?...that came with a thick hardcover operators manual!
I've used it a few times, but I think I find it easier to go online and search a solution.
There are so many helpful videos on youtube.
And I have a couple of sites that I use, that offer short tutorials on things.
Not to mention, I am a member at two Corel communities.
Real users usually know way more than the Corel support guys!
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Old 08-18-2018, 02:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoti View Post
Too bad Corel dropped CorelDraw for the mac those many many years ago...

Corel works on Mac with one of those Windows shell thingies.
I guess its like an emulator for running Windows based software.
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Old 08-18-2018, 04:05 PM
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Dave, for me it wasn’t a matter of having to switch to Illustrator. Back in ‘87 there were really only two choices for professional level vector drawing programs, Illustrator or Freehand. So glad I went with Illustrator. Would stick with it if it was a reasonable cost to "buy" not a rent situation. I’m just happy the Photoshop still runs fine, though I did get Affinity Photo for my tablet.

It seems Affinity Designer may be more Corel-like as it handles vector drawing and pixel/paint like operations also?
I think $35 US was a steal. Goodbye Adobe greed!
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Old 08-18-2018, 06:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by airdave View Post
Corel works on Mac with one of those Windows shell thingies.
I guess its like an emulator for running Windows based software.
You mean WINE?

I've tried WINE a few times for other stuff, usually end up uninstalling it before long.

I've had much better luck using Virtualbox and emulating a full-fledged Windows machine (and even then no higher than XP since that's the last version I bought).

My thoughts were more along the lines that if Corel still offered a Mac version of Draw, then Adobe wouldn't be so unreasonable in their pricing...
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Old 05-09-2020, 10:32 AM
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I'll just go ahead and shamelessly necropost here...

I downloaded the 90-day trial version of Affinity Designer night before last when I was trying to give options for custom lettering methods when THE DC and I were discussing them.

After playing around with it a bit more, this morning I purchased a full license key.

In my not-so-humble opinion, this software is well worth the $25(USD) price!
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