Illustration Reviews

Review: Adobe Photoshop CS5

The twenty-year-old Photoshop was created in another era of computing, and that's beginning to show. However, just about every Photoshop user will find something to love in the new CS5.

Review: Adobe Illustrator CS5

With new brushes, variable-width strokes, and numerous enhancements, is Illustrator CS5 worth the upgrade price? We put it all in perspective (literally).

Review: Wacom Cintiq 21UX

If much of your daily work is in a graphics program, you need a tablet. But if you don't like the disconnect required by regular tablets (draw on one surface, see the results on another), the Cintiq 21UX may be the best fit for your needs.

Snap Art 2 Makes Photoshop Art Easier, More Realistic

When version 1 of Snap Art debuted in 2006, it was impressive enough. In version 2, Alien Skin has created a superior artistic tool with an improved interface and algorithms.

Review: Flash CS4 Professional

Fundamental changes to this already-mature application open up new worlds of possibilities.

Review: Adobe Illustrator CS4

Adobe answers long-time requests with multiple artboards and transparent gradients, but it’s the added polish that makes Illustrator CS4 a compelling release.

Review: Adobe Illustrator CS3

The new Illustrator is faster, flashier, and more colorful, yes. But is it worth the upgrade? Read on to find out.

Review: CorelDraw X3 Graphics Suite

With new and improved tools in CorelDraw, Photo-Paint, and PowerTrace, this is one sweet suite.

Review: Wacom Cintiq 21UX Interactive Pen Display

It's a display you can draw on. It's a tablet you can surf the Web with. And it comes with a sophisticated pen and lots of bundled software. But is it right for you?

Review: Adobe Illustrator CS2

Adobe's vector-art creation tool comes alive, learns a few new tricks, and leads the pack.

Strata 3D CX: Familiar Application in Changing Times

This easy-to-use 3D application sticks to its roots and renders great-looking pictures. Native Photoshop file support makes it even more accessible for graphic designers, but power users will find Strata 3D CX's modeler lackluster.

The Cat with the Fresh Hat: Corel Painter Makes the Most of its 9th Life

The newest version of Corel Painter features a less-intimidating interface, much-improved performance, and a handful of new media brushes and effects. According to Sean Wagstaff, Painter IX is the closest version yet to working with traditional paints and brushes.

CorelDraw Graphics Suite 12: Smart Doodling, Dynamic Snapping, Savvy Copying

Some graphics products may be flashier, but few offer the bang-per-buck of CorelDraw Graphics Suite. Just-announced version 12 of this illustration-imaging-animation package offers intelligent eyedroppers and smart drawing tools and withdraws Mac support.

Illustrator CS: Adobe Squeezes in More for Designers

Now in its 11th version, Adobe Illustrator is already jam-packed with features. But Illustrator CS manages to add new drawing and design tools. Is it enough? Sandee Cohen reviews the latest.

The Creative Toolbox: FreeHand MX Integrates and Innovates

Macromedia gives its venerable illustration software FreeHand an MX makeover -- a unified user interface, tighter integration with other MX products, and some interesting new features. Do they add up to make FreeHand MX a worthwhile upgrade?

Dip into SketchUp for Easy 3D

Designers who want to try 3D modeling are usually forced to think in such unfamiliar terms as "extrusions" and "lathes." SketchUp, on the other hand, lets you create 3D scenes with a toolset and interface more like drawing programs than CAD software. Ben Long walks you through it.

Expression 3: Illustration Tools Meet Natural-Media Brushes

You've heard of natural-media painting programs, but what about natural-media drawing programs? Creature House Expression is a sleek and engaging illustration application that lets you "paint" vector shapes and strokes. Susan Glinert looks at the latest version.

Draw On It: Corel's Latest Graphics Suite Packs Powerful Punch

New Dimensions: Two 3-D Modelers Open New Worlds

Three-dimensional modeling is unquestionably a niche market, but the work of talented 3D designers is evident in print, multimedia, games, and the Internet.

DeBabelizer Pro 5: The Ultimate Image Translator