Tips & Tricks: Software Reviews

When you are ready to purchase the most recent release of your graphic design or desktop publishing application to get the latest and greatest tools, make sure you know what you're paying for. We've taken a look at some of the most popular titles and provided a list of reviews from around the Web. Before you head off to the computer store, find out if the upgrade is worth the price or whether you might want to wait until the next version.

Adobe Acrobat 6 (designer-info.com) (June 2003)

A major overhaul of the creation and review of PDF files and new high-end design capabilities add to Acrobat's existing strengths.

Adobe Acrobat 7 (designer-info.com) (Jan 2005)

Acrobat 7 focuses on advanced workflows based on its Intelligent Document Platform - but existing users won’t necessarily benefit.

Adobe Illustrator 10 (designer-info.com) (Dec 2001)

New tools, distortion effects, symbol support, data-driven imaging, image slicing and improved SWF and SVG Web output see Illustrator 10 pushing forward on all fronts.

Adobe Illustrator CS (designer-info.com) (?)

New typographical features, pseudo-3D and improved print and PDF handling - worthy but comparatively uninspiring.

Adobe Illustrator CS2 (designer-info.com) (April 2005)

Illustrator rethinks its interface, its tracing capabilities and the whole basis of vector-based illustration!

Adobe InDesign 2.0 (cnet.com) (Dec 2001)

InDesign's multipurpose output and fabulous typography tools finally push it through Quark's glass ceiling.

Adobe InDesign CS (designer-info.com) (April 2005)

Improved text handling, graphic integration, layout options and the introduction of Object Styles and re-usable Snippets all help to boost InDesign’s productivity.

Adobe Photoshop 7 (macworld.com) (Aug 2002)

Photoshop 7 is quite simply the best version of Photoshop ever.

Adobe Photoshop CS (designer-info.com) (Nov 2003)

Better handling of graphic files, image import, colour correction, filters, layer-based composition and text, allied with an overall boost to colour quality for high-end users, make this a must-have upgrade.

Adobe Photoshop CS2 (designer-info.com) (April 2005)

Enhanced graphics file management, new high-end digital photography support, multi-layer handling and non-destructive transformations ensure that all Photoshop users benefit.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 (macworld.com) (Dec 2002)

Those who have Photoshop experience may just conclude that Elements 2.0 has all the digital-imaging power they need, at a much more affordable price.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 (designer-info.com) (October 2004)

Excellent integration of user-friendly editing capabilities with top of the range image management – the ideal combination for the majority of digital camera users.

CorelDraw Graphics Suite 11.0 (cnet.com) (Aug 2002)

CorelDraw Graphics Suite 11.0 has applications for professional-level illustration, image editing, and Web graphics.
(designer-info.com) Enhancements to R.A.V.E and PHOTO-PAINT, but disappointingly little new power for the DRAW user.

CorelDraw Graphics Suite 12.0 (cnet.com) (2004)

Mid- to high-level graphics professionals will like this package, but it's overkill for just touching up photos and drawing organizational charts.
(designer-info.com) Terminally thin upgrade to the long-standing graphics all-rounder.

Macromedia Freehand MX (macworld.com) (July 2003)

Powerful new illustration tools and enhanced integration with other MX programs have earned FreeHand its MX moniker.

Macromedia Freehand MX (designer-info.com)

With its streamlined interface, seriously enhanced formatting, expanded toolset and improved integration, FreeHand is back with a bang.

Microsoft Office X for Mac (cnet.com) (Oct 2003)

If you've been waiting for a good reason to purchase Mac OS X, Office X is it.

Microsoft Publisher 2003 (designer-info.com) (May 2003)

New designs, projects and output options boost Publisher's office-based publishing.

QuarkXPress 5.0 (zdnet.com) (March 2002)

If you've used a previous version of Quark, you'll absolutely want this upgrade.

QuarkXPress 6.0 (zdnet.com) (Jan 2004)

Upgrade if you're a legacy QuarkXPress user and want Mac OS X support; otherwise, try Adobe InDesign.

QuarkXPress 6.5 (designer-info.com) (Jan 2005)

A mixed bag of underwhelming new features with the exception of the truly useful QuarkVista image editing XTension. And it’s free for existing users of version 6.