Shelley
08-May-2005, 12:43 AM
http://img188.echo.cx/img188/5346/img228790je.jpg
Review: Adobe Illustrator CS2
Adobe's vector-art creation tool comes alive, learns a few new tricks, and leads the pack.
Increased speed, dependability, and ease of use, and a handful of truly useful new features make Illustrator CS2 one of the most exciting updates released by Adobe in recent years. As Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and GoLive continue to play better together, the recently released Illustrator CS2 is redefining itself as a vector-art creation tool by incorporating an improved working environment; new drawing, painting, and tracing tools; and by seamlessly integrating live Photoshop effects with Illustrator's unmatched Appearance Palette. The question is not "Should I upgrade to Adobe Illustrator CS2?" but rather, "How soon can I get my hands on it?" And that's coming from someone who's used many a previous version and the CS2 beta constantly in many projects for The Chopping Block (http://www.creativepro.com/jump?jump=choppingblock.com), a design studio in New York City.
The stand-alone version of Illustrator CS2 costs $499, with upgrades from Illustrator CS and 10 at $169. It's also available as part of the Creative Suite 2 Standard package for $899 and the Creative Suite 2 Premium for $1,199.
Getting Things Done
Previous versions of Adobe Illustrator left its users feeling a bit cramped for working space. I, along with many other designers and illustrators, was more than accustomed to working with palettes two rows deep, and at the same time, hesitant to close or move any floating palettes from within reach.
Adobe heard our cries of frustration and delivered. Illustrator CS2's first new addition is the Control Palette, sitting (by default!) at the top of a document. What would you say if I told you that 80 percent of the controls you need the most are all in this one place? While the Control Palette looks similar to the Options Palette in Photoshop, it performs in an entirely different way. Within Illustrator CS2, the Control Palette is context-sensitive, which means it changes based on what objects -- and what type of object -- you have selected. It offers stroke, fill, type, alignment, and a handful of other options. You can even customize your Control Palette options using the fly-out menu on the right. While it may take seasoned users a little while to get comfy using the Control Palette exclusively, I can help you along by pointing out that many of the additional full palette options are linked to off the Control Palette itself.
Do You Really Need to Buy It?
Adobe has really listened to its users. With this release, Illustrator has gone from "pretty good" to "downright excellent!" If you've been holding on to an older version of Illustrator or wondering what was going to become of Freehand, this is the time to get your hands on Illustrator CS2. Add the increased speed and stability to all the new features, and the result is a fantastic product update.
All types of users -- from designers and illustrators to architects and page-layout professionals -- will not only drastically boost their productivity with CS2, they might even have a little more fun along the way. This is not one of those updates you buy just to keep current. Illustrator CS2 is an application that will change the way you work -- for the better.
Read more of the Review. (Link Below)
News Source: www.creativepro.com (http://www.creativepro.com/story/review/22879.html)
Read more about Adobe Creative Suite 2 and the many added features HERE (http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/main.html)
Review: Adobe Illustrator CS2
Adobe's vector-art creation tool comes alive, learns a few new tricks, and leads the pack.
Increased speed, dependability, and ease of use, and a handful of truly useful new features make Illustrator CS2 one of the most exciting updates released by Adobe in recent years. As Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and GoLive continue to play better together, the recently released Illustrator CS2 is redefining itself as a vector-art creation tool by incorporating an improved working environment; new drawing, painting, and tracing tools; and by seamlessly integrating live Photoshop effects with Illustrator's unmatched Appearance Palette. The question is not "Should I upgrade to Adobe Illustrator CS2?" but rather, "How soon can I get my hands on it?" And that's coming from someone who's used many a previous version and the CS2 beta constantly in many projects for The Chopping Block (http://www.creativepro.com/jump?jump=choppingblock.com), a design studio in New York City.
The stand-alone version of Illustrator CS2 costs $499, with upgrades from Illustrator CS and 10 at $169. It's also available as part of the Creative Suite 2 Standard package for $899 and the Creative Suite 2 Premium for $1,199.
Getting Things Done
Previous versions of Adobe Illustrator left its users feeling a bit cramped for working space. I, along with many other designers and illustrators, was more than accustomed to working with palettes two rows deep, and at the same time, hesitant to close or move any floating palettes from within reach.
Adobe heard our cries of frustration and delivered. Illustrator CS2's first new addition is the Control Palette, sitting (by default!) at the top of a document. What would you say if I told you that 80 percent of the controls you need the most are all in this one place? While the Control Palette looks similar to the Options Palette in Photoshop, it performs in an entirely different way. Within Illustrator CS2, the Control Palette is context-sensitive, which means it changes based on what objects -- and what type of object -- you have selected. It offers stroke, fill, type, alignment, and a handful of other options. You can even customize your Control Palette options using the fly-out menu on the right. While it may take seasoned users a little while to get comfy using the Control Palette exclusively, I can help you along by pointing out that many of the additional full palette options are linked to off the Control Palette itself.
Do You Really Need to Buy It?
Adobe has really listened to its users. With this release, Illustrator has gone from "pretty good" to "downright excellent!" If you've been holding on to an older version of Illustrator or wondering what was going to become of Freehand, this is the time to get your hands on Illustrator CS2. Add the increased speed and stability to all the new features, and the result is a fantastic product update.
All types of users -- from designers and illustrators to architects and page-layout professionals -- will not only drastically boost their productivity with CS2, they might even have a little more fun along the way. This is not one of those updates you buy just to keep current. Illustrator CS2 is an application that will change the way you work -- for the better.
Read more of the Review. (Link Below)
News Source: www.creativepro.com (http://www.creativepro.com/story/review/22879.html)
Read more about Adobe Creative Suite 2 and the many added features HERE (http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/main.html)