![]() ![]() This is a perfect example of the kinds of features that seem thrown in for the sake of having new creative features. I played with the new "gradients on stroke" feature, turning a fat line-drawing of a spiral into… a spiral with a gradient fill. I have a hard time imagining that any user of previous version is going to do a Serena Williams fist pump when introduced to Adobe Illustrator CS6, but the software does introduce a few you may want to use. I didn't even have time to leave my chair and make a cup of tea.Ĭreative Features With any full point version release, software companies always include a few new tools and features, whether they're truly essential or not. I converted a complex picture of tree leaves into a multi-colored and rich graphic, and then processed it a second time into a six-color configuration. You can turn practically any image into vector art in just a few seconds-and then convert it to a pattern to reuse in other projects-with plenty of options for the final output. That's the kind of change that only power users will see, but if you've been using this behemoth app for some time, it does at least help to shake up the interface a little.Īnother notable improvement is a new image-tracing engine that makes tracing work like magic. Some tweaks in how Illustrator displays menu options that result in a slightly more streamlined interface. You can make the background quite dark, with light text, or vice versa (see the slideshow). Adobe mentions that the UI now has an adjustable "brightness," but it's more about color preferences than screen illumination. While not as important as the changes to the underlying power, the new interface is definitely spiffier. The Adobe Mercury Performance System isn't something you'll see, but it will open those enormous and complex files faster and make quicker work of exporting and saving, too. Adobe upped the ante by getting Illustrator to take advantage of 64-bit machines, as well as building a revamped engine that powers the whole shebang. Speed, Performance, Design As mentioned, the changes you can't see, like speed and performance, changes in version CS6 of Adobe Illustrator are more important than any new tools and features. Depending on which version you're using, now may be the best time to upgrade despite whether CS6 really tickles your fancy. All other users will have to buy the product in full. The implication-which is not wholly explicit-is that after the deadline, only Adobe CS users of the latest version qualify for the less expensive upgrade. Licensees of Adobe Creative Suite products in versions CS3 and CS4 qualify for the upgrade price ($249 in Illustrator's case) until December 31, 2012. You can try it out for free for 30 days, after which time it costs $599 to purchase, or you can opt for a subscription to one of the Creative Cloud program packages with various pricing options.Įditors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Adobe Illustrator CS6 for Mac 16.0.Adobe also threw into this point release a few new requisite tools and features, although none of them will be as influential in your decision about whether to upgrade as the improvements in speed and performance, as well as the upgrade pricing structure. Its interface makes it possible for even relatively inexperienced users to learn quickly how to take advantage of all features, although its substantial price tag means it's probably only a good option for serious designers. Bottom LineĪdobe Illustrator CS6 is an excellent and complete solution for all of your graphic design needs. The installation itself also took more than 10 minutes as the app was downloading and initializing. It was difficult at first to find the link to download only Illustrator, as Adobe wants you to subscribe to all of its Creative Cloud programs at once. ![]() Long installation: The installation process was rather complicated and did take quite some time. You can also save and export to other programs quickly without hassle or waiting. The interface design makes it possible to quickly find any of the many tools included in this program without digging through an overwhelming list of options or searching endlessly.įast and efficient: No matter how large or complex the files are that you need to open, this app can handle them with ease. Interface design: All features are clearly accessible through a streamlined interface that gives you access to everything you need without cluttering up your workspace. Whether you're working on logo design, icons, infographics, or any other type of design project, you can quickly access all of the options you need to produce a professional-grade product. ![]() Adobe Illustrator CS6 for Mac is a powerful and agile program that gives you all the tools you need to complete any type of graphic design project. ![]()
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