What Is The Best Graphics Software for Design & Publishing?

Although it may vary depending on the type of work you do, it's generally accepted that there are two main types of graphics software you need when doing design work -- a bitmap or photo editor and a vector drawing or illustration program. Although some people use them for more, these are mainly for working with graphics -- creating them, editing them and then importing them into other programs for page layout (print) or Web design. For specialized graphics there are other programs including 3D and animation tools. By far, the most well-known graphics software in use by both professional designers and others is Adobe Photoshop. We've recently had a lively discussion on what you can and can't (or shouldn't) do in Photoshop. But while most everyone knows about Photoshop, not everyone uses it. And there's little agreement on what the best graphics software is, in any category.

As her Web design software pick of the week, About.com Web Design/HTML Guide Jennifer Krynin chose The GIMP. A few months back, About.com Graphics Software Guide Sue Chastain asked if The GIMP really is as powerful as Photoshop. Some love it. Some don't.

Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW are the best known of the vector graphics programs. But there are other options including Xara, DrawPlus, and Inkscape. A lot of novice designers don't even really understand the difference between vector and bitmap programs though and they try to do everything in Photoshop or its equivalent.

So, what I'd like to hear from you is what graphics software you are using and why you use it. Do you use Photoshop because it's the industry standard or because you've tried other programs and nothing else measures up? What illustration programs get the nod from you? Is cost the main criteria? While your comments, questions, and declarations are welcome in the blog comments section, below, I'd also like you to submit your thoughts on graphics software used in design & publishing (print or Web) using this Readers Response form: What Graphics Software Do You Use for Design & Publishng? This will give everyone a place to learn about the diversity of graphics software in use by others and find out why others make the choices they do. Put the main bitmap & vector software you use in the title but feel free to describe other specialty software programs you use as well.