When to use Procreate vs. Adobe Creative Apps

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Procreate all serve different purposes, and choosing between them depends on your specific needs and goals. Ultimately, your choice should align with your creative goals and preferred workflow. You might even find value in using both Adobe creative apps and Procreate for different stages of your design process, leveraging the strengths of each tool.

Adobe Illustrator is best for…

1.     Vector Graphics: Illustrator is ideal for creating vector-based graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations that can be scaled without losing quality.

2.     Precise Shapes and Paths: Illustrator's precise tools are excellent for creating geometric shapes, intricate paths, and precise curves.

3.     Typography: It excels in handling text and typography, allowing you to create custom fonts, layouts, and typographic designs.

4.     Print Design: Illustrator is well-suited for creating designs that will be printed, such as wedding invitations, menus & table plans.

5.     Logo Design: Its vector capabilities make it perfect for designing logos that need to be versatile and resizable.

6.     Complex Artwork: For intricate illustrations, technical drawings, and designs requiring precise alignment, Illustrator's grid and alignment tools are beneficial.

Adobe Photoshop is best for…

1.     Advanced Photo Editing: Photoshop is renowned for its powerful photo editing and manipulation capabilities. It's the go-to choice for retouching, colour correction, and advanced photo effects.

2.     Complex Image Manipulation: When you need to combine multiple images, create intricate compositions, or perform detailed retouching, Photoshop's layer-based approach is invaluable.

3.     Graphic Design: For projects like creating web graphics, banners and layouts, Photoshop offers versatile design tools and a wide range of effects.

4.     Text and Typography: Photoshop's text capabilities, including advanced typography features and text effects, make it a strong choice for creating text-heavy designs.

5.     Print Design: If your design will be printed, Photoshop's high-resolution capabilities and colour management tools are essential.

6.     3D Design and Animation: Photoshop has features for 3D design, including texture mapping and basic animation tools.

Procreate is best for…

1.     Natural Media: Procreate simulates natural media like brushes, pencils, and textures, making it perfect for digital painting, sketching, and creating textured artwork.

2.     Digital Painting: Procreate excels in creating digital paintings and illustrations. Its brushes, natural media emulation, and responsive touch interface make it a favourite among artists.

3.     Sketching, Drawing & Concept Art: If you're focused on sketching, drawing creating concept art, storyboarding and creating expressive linework, Procreate's brushes and easy-to-use tools are advantageous.

4.     Touch Gestures: Designed for touch interfaces, Procreate is highly intuitive and responsive on tablets, offering an immersive digital drawing experience.

5.     Hand-lettering and Calligraphy: Procreate's brush engine is well-suited for creating hand-lettering and calligraphy designs.

6.     Illustration: While not vector-based, Procreate's raster capabilities are fantastic for detailed illustrations and character design.

7.     Texture and Brush Work: Its ability to replicate traditional media and textures is particularly useful for artists looking to add depth to their work.

8.     Portability: Procreate is available on iPad, making it a portable solution for artists on the go.

9.     Speed and Efficiency: Procreate's user-friendly interface and quick access to brushes and tools make it efficient for quick sketches and spontaneous creativity.

In many cases, designers and artists find value in using both Adobe Creative apps and Procreate, leveraging the strengths of each software for different stages of their projects, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find the right software for the task at hand!