Most often Adobe Illustrator can be just too complicated or expensive for the average user or someone doing graphic design casually. If you are looking to get a great program that will be fun and easy to use look no further. There is a vast “open source” online community where you can download such programs for free. Below are descriptions of ten of the most comparable illustration softwares that are in the same vein as Adobe Illustrator.
Best Alternatives To Adobe Illustrator
1. Corel Draw
The best alternative to Adobe Illustrator is by far Corel Draw. Unfortunately because it is a name brand and is so good it isn’t really that much cheaper. It allows you to do pretty much everything Illustrator does; like experiment with colors, compositions and brush strokes. You can get the full studio effect. It is said to be one of the more exciting digital painting programs online and some prefer its interface. Windows only.
2. Inkscape
Inkscape is a program that gives amazing vector effects. It is designed on a cross-vector platform that allows the user to see effects applied in real time. The advanced features it includes are arbitrary transformations, opacity, and gradients. It has all the capabilities of Corel draw or adobe illustrator. This one, however, is free. Windows and Mac compatible.
3. Serif DrawPlus
Serif DrawPlus is free software that mimics mature commercial editing software. It includes many of the most intuitive tools available. Including “quick shapes”, Curve editing, and curve smoothing. This program gives you several templates and other resources to choose from. Windows only.
4. Xara Xtreme
Xara Xtreme has a free open source version of the paid Xara Xtreme program but is exclusive to the Linux system. The paid version is still quite a bit cheaper than Illustrator. This program is a standard in Vector drawing applications. The free version has very powerful graphics and floating dialogs, palettes and menus. Windows only.
5. Skencil
Skencil is another free open source application also for the Linux system. This one allows you to do illustrations, draw diagrams and it will import your files from Adobe. This is more of a supplementary program. It is primarily for windows systems but can be used on Mac OSX.
6. Creative Docs.NET
Creative Docs.NET is a vector program that works well in Windows applications. It has features that allow the drawing of various text and shapes along a curved pathway. You can merge shapes with the Boolean operations; you can convert text Bezier curves and color gradients. It lets the users interact with various styles and attributes in the same frame. The drag and drop is an excellent addition since it lets you move things around on the page. Windows only.
7. sK1
sK1 another Linux application that can be downloaded for free. This program supports professional style publishing; such as CMYK color, ICC color management and even press ready output for PDF. It is currently only for Linux but will be ported very soon to work on both Windows and Mac systems.
8. GIMP
GIMP this graphical user interface looks similar to Adobe Photoshop. It is a free program that also allows you to retouch photos. It can be used as a paint program but lacks vectors many graphic designers are used to.
9. Alchemy
Alchemy, a vector-based program, it runs on the intent of creativity. This means that it is primarily a sketching program and not for finished or refined projects. The interface is fun and easy and great for brainstorming. It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
10. Karbon 14
Karbon 14 is another free and easy vector-based program. The level of functionality is one that is geared toward someone getting started. It can handle the daily chores drawing, finger painting, image manipulation, icon editing. It is also a very functional program with all the important features.
Conclusion
It is possible to find the graphic design program that fits your budget that allows you to create clipart, logos, illustrations and photorealistic vector images. Whatever your reason for avoiding Adobe Illustrator it shouldn’t be difficult to find one that has a comfortable interface and does what you need it to do.
"Raven" from Aviary is an excellent vector editor. :)
I've made a post about "online" applications here : http://vainsfaktory.com/2009/02/22/logiciels-des-applis-gratuites-en-ligne%E2%80%A6/
What about Sketch? http://www.bohemiancoding.com/sketch
sketch is the buggiest software ever...
Inkscape FTW !
Microsoft Expression Design
Nice article.I like this type of article
I think GIMP is the odd one out here, you can't create vector graphics with GIMP but somewhat an alternative to Photoshop, in my opinion, INKSCAPE is the best alternative to Illustrator....
I like DrawIT: http://www.bohemiancoding.com/drawit
But Sketch (from the same author) is a better Illustrator replacement than DrawIT (e.g., Sketch can export to vector formats.)
Yes, I do agree. Of course, vector exporting is the most important feature to replace Illustrator :)
hey u should talk after the knowlad of the PS ILLUStr k...its also a vector application software ..
Adobe Illustrator rules
Awesome post. I'm a marketing person so I sometimes need to use Illustrator. In the past I have downloaded the trial versions for temporary access but these solutions seem more effective in the long run. Thanks for sharing them.
"GIMP this graphical user interface looks similar to Adobe Photoshop."
have you ever opened up GIMP?
I like Alchemy, nice tool to scribble a ideas
Actually, there is a corel draw version for mac, I use version 11.
You say in here, XARA xtreme is "Windows only" That is incorrect, the free version is linux only. There is a pay version now under a new name, that costs money.
I used Illustrator, is great. Now I'm using Inkscape and I love it!
I'm using Gimp, but it isn't like Photoshop. It's a little difficult to understand at first, but it's a powerfull program.
GIMP never worked out for me, but I now use Paint.net to replace anything I used to need Photoshop to do.
I use Ilustrator, i'm used to it and i do not think that i'll try another program.
Illustrator, but I have not used yet, I can draw a picture I like this delicate. I now want to use illustrator.
Mapdiva artboard is good too.. http://www.mapdiva.com/
I've been using CorelDraw as a professional graphic designer for 10 years now and have yet to find any job that another designer can do more quickly than me using Illustrator. There seems to be this obsession with Illustrator within a large chunk of the industry but i've never understood why. A lot of it seems to be ignorance of what CorelDraw can do. I keep being told "ah, but you can't do X in Corel" and having to point out that you can and how much easier it is than in Illy. Also, as we are a designer and printers, it is essential that we can import from many different file formats, and for this in particular Corel wins hands down.
We also know a lot of other people in the industry who swear by Corel, and it seems to be the standard in sign writing, embroidery and other specialist fields. The sad thing is that very few people with Graphic Design qualifications know how to use it. You will give yourself a much better chance of finding a job if you learn how to use it as you are widening your potential market a great deal.
Plus, i have an extra £400 or so in my pocket every new version!
Corel was back in the hayday, a very good tool, and I agree, I could crank out layouts in no time flat much quicker than illustrator... but time has gone by... Corel was VERY slow to make updates and many years went by without any. You are correct, many sign shops used Corel, but now a day have opted for Illustrator. Corel is simply the betamax of illustration programs - While it might be great, majority rules - Just like iPods, their might be other players on the market, yet nobody cares. Corel did it to themselves, shunning the mac designer community. It the 20+ years Ive been in the printing Industry, I think I've got only 3 Corel files in the last 15 yrs or so... Each time I end up converting them to illustrator. Each time they needed something corrected on them. So be it as it may, there are great tools out there, but you need to support your customers, and listen to what people want, and keep coming out with upgrades. Another great example was QuarkXPress... Dominated the Publishing field for many many years... but again didnt offer anything new for many years... poof INDesign came to the plate which made Quark step it up finally... So Corel, WAKE UP.
Coreldraw is my choice too. It's more fluid and mind-easy to use as an Art Director/Designer. Agree most definitely with Paul. Well said.
Hah ;) Made my day. I totally agree :)
Very nice post. Thanks for sharing this beautiful pictures. I love them.
http://www.handbagsdreams.com
I know how to use both Illustrator and CorelDraw. And by far, CorelDraw is easier and more importantly... quicker!
I have done silk-screen artwork, desktop publishing and even web graphics with CorelDraw. You can export everything in CorelDraw to a JPG, PNG etc... and even PDF!
Illustrator is the industry standard only because it is usually packaged with PhotoShop. But, just because it is industry standard doesn't mean it is better.
:)
I agree with all the comments about the versatility of CorelDraw, and as an alternative to Illustrator. I recently switched from a PC to a Mac, and now I totally miss my CorelDraw. I hope they seriously consider releasing a Mac version some day.
Yes, I'm interested (I have Xara and will keep my opinions to myself, for the sake of grace).
BUT...the big question is do these programs export legit Illustrator files that print shops can use?
That's a pretty important point, for a guy doing maybe three CDs in his life or something like that.
A
"legit Illustrator files that print shops can use"?
You mean PDF? Inkscape and Scribus (open source page layout) export print-ready PDFs with spot color if you need it. PDFs are really the only way to guarantee your layout and colors are compatible and exactly how you want on the other end.
use mypaint its amazing and its great