Photoshop Vs. Illustrator

Photoshop and Illustrator are the two big brands of Adobe. Both tools are widely used by graphic designers and other professionals. We can create, edit, and transform the images and vector arts using both tools. But, they are far away from being the same thing. Before discussing the differences between them, let's understand that Illustrator is a vector-based software while Photoshop is a raster-based software. Both tools are so essential for the daily need of a graphic designer. They can be found on a professional's PC. Sometimes they are combined for better results.

There are many similarities and differences between both tools. We will discuss all the similarities and differences between them. Further, we will discuss which one is better for which task.

The major difference between Illustrator and Photoshop is that Photoshop is a raster-based image manipulation software, while Illustrator is a vector-based software. Before understanding the differences between both the tools, let's understand the difference between raster and vector. It will clear a picture of what they are and why they are used independently:

Difference between Raster and Vector

Computer graphics are categories into two categories: raster and vector. The major difference between raster and vector graphics is that raster graphics are pixel-based graphics composed of pixels; comparatively, vector graphics are path-based graphics composed of paths. A raster-based graphics can be in jpeg, gif format, while vector-based graphics can be in png or SVG format. We can see the difference between raster and vector by zooming in the image. While zooming, the image edges of the raster graphic can be in a bubble or grid; comparatively, vector-based graphics edges will be sharp.

Raster	Vector
The raster graphics are composed of pixels.	The vector graphics are composed of pixels.
The raster graphics is used for creating images, artboards, and other image format things.	Vector graphics are used for creating graphs, curves, vector arts, logos, etc.
It requires more space according to image quality.	It requires less space as compared to raster.
In raster graphics, edges get blur while zooming.	In vector graphics, edges are very sharp and do not blur while zooming.
The file extensions are jpg, BMP, gif, tiff, etc.	The file extensions are SVG, ai, eps, pdf, etc.

Let's understand what are Photoshop and Illustrator and why they used?

What is Photoshop?

Photoshop is a raster-based photo editing software used for basic editing to advanced graphical tasks. It provides pixel-perfect editing for the images. We can create, edit, and customize digital artworks and images; Adobe Systems develop them. As we are aware of the Adobe products, they come for only Windows and Mac OS. So, Photoshop is also available only for the Windows and Mac OS operating systems. It is not available for Unix-based operating systems.

Generally, it is used for creating, converting, manipulating images in different image formats. By default, it uses the PSD (Photoshop Document) format to save the work. The PSD file stores the work in as it is condition means; it contains layers and styling effects so that we can alter that later.

Photoshop is initially developed as basic editing software, but it has developed itself as an advanced graphic tool over time. Nowadays, Photoshop provides support for advanced graphical tasks used in different fields such as multimedia, architecture, animation, publishing, Photography, etc.

We can create and edit the single multimedia photo to high dynamic range photos using Photoshop.

What is Illustrator?

Adobe Illustrator is an industry-leading vector-based designing and drawing software. It is widely used for creating and manipulating vector graphics. It can be used for designing a large design workflow from single elements to the entire composition. However, we can also edit and create vector graphics in Photoshop using the pen tool, but it is much more efficient than Photoshop in vector graphics.

Usually, Illustrator is used for creating logos, symbols, icons, posters, patterns, etc.

Let's understand when to use Photoshop & Illustrator?

When to use Photoshop?

Photoshop will be useful for the following scenarios:

Photo Retouching:

When it comes to retouching photos, Photoshop will be a good choice rather than Illustrator. We can precisely edit the color, brightness, hue saturation, etc., using Photoshop.

Edit the Artwork

Suppose we need to edit the artwork, which could be a photo, drawing, painting, or anything else. Photoshop will be the right tool to edit the artwork. We can precisely place and customize the objects using Photoshop. For example, we can add shadows, textures, etc., wherever we want to place it on artwork.

Digital Images for Web

Suppose we want to create digital images for the web-like banners, graphical info images, etc. In that case, Photoshop will be the right tool for this as it provides much more flexibility for customizing and editing the images than Illustrator.

Web Mockups

Photoshop is now widely used for UI designing. It is an excellent tool for designing a web or mobile application. It provides several tools and features such as layer styles, text-decoration, shadows, etc., for customizing the website layout. Comparatively, Illustrator has fewer options than Photoshop.

Animation and Videos

Nowadays, Photoshop is not limited to images, but also we can get fancy with animations and videos. We can easily cut video clips and add graphics, filters, animations, text, etc.

When to use Illustrator?

The Illustrator will be useful for the following scenarios:

Creating a Logo

Illustrator is an excellent tool for creating a logo. Usually, logos are vector-based; when it comes to vector, no other tool can match the quality of Illustrator. Every shape and line created by Illustrator can be resized up to any size. So it is the ideal tool for the images that can be used in different ways, such as logos and icons.

Creating a Poster & Cards

Illustrator is also an exceptional tool for creating one-page print materials, which are posters, cards, flyers, etc. it is a powerful tool for creating visually attractive headlines and illustrations that can be combined with raster images.

Creating Icons

Icons are in vector graphics format, so, Illustrator will be good for creating the vector icons. We can also save the icons in different vector formats such as SVG, eps, etc.

Creating an Illustration

Vector illustrations are very important to display your business visually. We can create attractive vector illustrations using Illustrator. We can export these illustrations in different formats and open them in other tools.

Let's discuss the differences between Photoshop and Illustrator:

Key differences between Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop and Illustrator are both trendy tools among graphic designers and other professionals. Many designers keep both tools in their PC and perform their tasks by combining them. Let's discuss some key differences between them:
If we create a line in Photoshop and Illustrator, the Photoshop line consists of several pixels; comparatively, the illustrator line consists of two dots which is a path.
Illustrator is an AI-based tool that acts as a mathematical grid means if we resize the image, it automatically calculate the background and resize the component accordingly. Unlike Photoshop, it will get blur due to low color pixels.
In Illustrator, the unit for vector image is DPI (Dots per inch); comparatively, Photoshop has unit PPI (Parts per inch). So if we zoom the image, for example, 2x PPI may blur or lose quality.
Illustrator is good for the numerical and alphabetical entities compared to Photoshop.
Photoshop has more options to modify the work compared to Illustrator.
Photoshop is good for raster-based graphics. So we can create more attractive artworks and images in Photoshop compared to Illustrator.
Working with Illustrator is an artwork, while Photoshop is a skill because dealing with clarity and high-end images is a skill.
Photoshop cannot create texts, and numerical entities like Illustrator and Illustrator cannot automatically implement page numbers like Photoshop.
Photoshop provides natural-looking work, but Illustrator provides graphical work.

Let's have a look at head to head comparison between Photoshop and Illustrator:

Photoshop	Illustrator
It is a raster-based image manipulation software.	It is a vector-based designing and drawing software.
It provides pixel-perfect editing.	It allows creating excellent vector arts and graphics.
It is primarily used for image editing.	It is primarily used for dealing with vector illustrations.
We can create digital artboards and other graphical images using Photoshop.	We can create logos, icons, and other vector-based graphics using Illustrator.
It is not good for numerical and alphabetical entities as compared to Illustrator.	Comparatively, It is better than Photoshop for numerical and alphabetical entities.
It provides a natural-looking work.	It provides a graphical work as an illustration.