ecs165s052@deneb.ucdavis.edu (Greg DeMichillie) (05/28/88)
Well, I just go my copy of Illustrator 88. Here are a few comments
and observations:
On the good side:
* Auto-Trace
This feature will automatically trace over a bitmap template
and create a bezier outline. Works fairly well (actually, it
is incredible on Adobe's supplied samples and fair to good on
my own samples). This can really speed up the process of
tracing complex images.
* Shape Transformation
Draw a circle, draw a square, have Illustrator create the
shapes in-between. What can I say, it's pretty spectacular.
It also transforms between the colors of the objects.
* Freehand Tool
Similar to Aldus Freehand's tool of the same name.
* Color
Supports both process colors (CMYK specifications) or
PANTONE numbering system.
On the bad side:
* Text handling
Same as Illustrator 1.1 (i.e. - lousy). You can't have
multiple type fonts, sizes or styles in the same block, and
the dialog box shows you the text you are entering in 12 point
Chicago regardless of the font you are using.
* No automatic fills
It won't let you draw a circle and automatically apply a
radial fill from black to white. The workaround is to draw
a black circle with a white circle inside it and use the
shape transformation tool. While this method allows greater
flexibility in creating fills (the beginning and ending shapes
can be different) it is very clumsy for simple fills.
* No editing in preview mode
This is the same as in version 1.1, but Freehand allows
editing in both views.
* Documentation (for experienced users)
Illustrator was widely criticized for being difficult to use.
Adobe has taken this to heart and produced a manual that is
quite good and teaching beginners, but not very good at all
at explaining in depth the more complex tools. The manual
provides only one example on transforming shapes, and doesn't
explain all the options that can be used.
Summary:
Illustrator 88 adds 3 nice features (auto-trace, shape transformation
freehand tool), but overall was rather dissapointing. The text handling
was particularly troublesome, given the fact the Adobe is the leading
maker of Postscript fonts. If I were forced to choose between
Illustrator 88 and Aldus Freehand, Freehand would win hands down.
As it is, I will probably use Illustrator 88 to do initial tracing of
scanned templates and shape transformations and then open the
document with Freehand to do the rest. It's and expensive solution
since each program sells in the $400 range.
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with either Adobe or Aldus, just a Mac
user in search of the perfect graphics program.
-----
Greg DeMichillie lgdemichillie@deneb.ucdavis.edu
ecs165s052@deneb.ucdavis.edu
{ucbvax, lll-crg, sdcsvax}!ucdavis!lgdemichillie
AppleLink: ST0178sarrel@clarinet.cis.ohio-state.edu (Marc Sarrel) (05/28/88)
In article <2094@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu> ecs165s052@deneb.ucdavis.edu (Greg DeMichillie) writes: > >Well, I just go my copy of Illustrator 88. Here are a few comments >and observations: > >On the good side: > * Auto-Trace > This feature will automatically trace over a bitmap template > and create a bezier outline. Works fairly well (actually, it > is incredible on Adobe's supplied samples and fair to good on > my own samples). This can really speed up the process of > tracing complex images. I'm just curious. Does this feature work with 300 dpi bitmaps (TIFF files)? I'm really not in the market for Illustrator or Freehand, but I recently had a logo digitized and thought that it might be nice to have a bezier version of it as well. -=- Marc Sarrel The Ohio State University 611 Harely Dr #1 Department of Computer and Information Science Columbus, OH 43202-1835 sarrel@cis.ohio-state.edu In San Francisco, you can bay at the moon or moon at the Bay, but it doesn't make much difference which. Disclaimer: Hey, what do I know? I'm only a grad student.
palmerc@ingr.com (Chris Palmer) (02/02/90)
I have an unopened copy of Adobe Illustrator '88 for the Macintosh. It contains (from memory): o Adobe Illustrator '88 Program Disk o Color Separation Utility o Assorted PostScript utilities o All Manuals (user and tutorial) o Tutorial disk(s) o Instruction/Introduction Video Tape o All Warranty Cards and Registration Materials o Probably some more stuff I am leaving out It is still in original shrink-wrap. I bought it because I was going to have access to a Macintosh to do some free-lance graphic design and I wanted my own copy of it. If you haven't used it, it is a wonderful drawing, drafting, illustration system. This version includes many improvements over the previous version including color separation, Pantone color library, pattern libraries, enhanced drawing tools and more. If you have used it, you already know all of this. Here's the clincher: I know you probably hate people to do this as much as I do, but I am asking for reasonable offers. Highest realistic bid gets it. -- | Christopher M. Palmer #|Quote section| | | | | | || / Intergraph Corporation #| | Closed For| |o| | | | |\ \ Internet: b14!abulafia!palmerc@ingr.com #| | | |Repairs| | | | | | |/ | UUCP : ...uunet!ingr!b14!abulafia!palmerc #| | | | | | | | | | | | | ||