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From: ecs165s052@deneb.ucdavis.edu (Greg DeMichillie)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Adobe Illustrator '88
Keywords: Adobe Illustrator Aldus Freehand
Message-ID: <2094@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu>
Date: 27 May 88 19:20:19 GMT
Sender: uucp@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu
Reply-To: ecs165s052@deneb.ucdavis.edu (Greg DeMichillie)
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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
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                      AppleLink:  ST0178