Adobe Illustrator vs Autodesk SketchBook: Which One Is Better in 2024?

Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk SketchBook are essential tools for businesses and designers. We'll compare Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk SketchBook to determine which one best meets the needs of creative professionals. This comparison will help you choose the right tool for your design projects.

A Quick Overview of Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk SketchBook

What is Adobe Illustrator?

Adobe is a software company known for its creative and multimedia software products. Adobe Illustrator is part of Adobe's Creative Cloud suite, which includes applications for design, photography, video, and web development.

Adobe Illustrator offers features like Generative Shape Fill, which allows users to fill vector outlines with detailed patterns. Another unique feature is the Pen Tool, enabling precise illustrations with editable anchor points.

What is Autodesk SketchBook?

Autodesk SketchBook is a digital drawing application designed for artists and illustrators. The company provides tools that mimic traditional drawing techniques, making it accessible for both quick sketches and detailed artwork.

SketchBook offers a natural drawing experience with brushes and pens that behave like their physical counterparts. Additionally, it features a clean interface that allows users to hide tools and palettes until needed, setting it apart from many competitors.

Features of Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk SketchBook

Similarities

Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk SketchBook share several key features that make them both powerful tools for digital artists. Despite their different focuses, they offer similar functionalities that cater to the needs of creative professionals.

• Both provide a variety of customizable brushes, allowing artists to create unique textures and effects.
• They support layers with blend modes, enabling complex artwork creation and easy editing.
• Each application includes precision tools such as guides, rulers, and stroke tools for accurate designs.
• Both are compatible with stylus and touch input, making them suitable for use on tablets and other touch-enabled devices.
• They offer professional-grade tools that cater to both beginners and advanced users, ensuring a versatile drawing experience.

Differences

Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk SketchBook cater to different creative needs, each offering unique features that set them apart. Here are the most significant differences:

• Vector vs. Raster: Adobe Illustrator focuses on vector graphics, allowing for infinite scaling without quality loss, while SketchBook is raster-based, ideal for freehand drawing and painting.
• Generative Shape Fill: Illustrator offers this feature to fill vector outlines with detailed patterns, a capability not found in SketchBook.
• Natural Drawing Experience: SketchBook excels in providing a natural drawing experience with brushes and pens that mimic their physical counterparts, unlike Illustrator.
• 3D and Materials Panel: Illustrator includes tools for adding realistic 3D effects and textures, which SketchBook does not offer.
• Clean Interface: SketchBook features an unobtrusive interface where tools can be hidden until needed, enhancing the drawing experience, a feature not emphasized in Illustrator.

User Interface and Usability

Adobe Illustrator's user interface is structured and feature-rich, but it can be overwhelming for new users. The extensive toolset and options require a learning curve, which may hinder immediate productivity. In contrast, Autodesk SketchBook offers a more streamlined and intuitive interface, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. The ability to hide tools and palettes until needed provides a less cluttered workspace, which can be more inviting for beginners.

While both applications aim to enhance user experience, SketchBook's approach to mimicking traditional drawing techniques offers a more natural feel. Illustrator's complex features cater to detailed vector work but may not be as accessible for quick sketches. SketchBook's clean interface and natural drawing experience make it more user-friendly for artists looking for a straightforward tool.

Overall, Autodesk SketchBook has a better user interface and usability compared to Adobe Illustrator.

Collaboration

Adobe Illustrator, part of the Creative Cloud suite, offers some collaborative tools through shared libraries and cloud documents. However, the focus remains on individual design capabilities rather than team collaboration. The lack of explicit real-time collaboration features within Illustrator itself may limit its effectiveness for teamwork.

Autodesk SketchBook, on the other hand, does not emphasize collaboration at all. The application is designed for individual use, with no mention of features that support teamwork or real-time collaboration. Its clean interface and natural drawing tools cater to solo artists rather than collaborative projects.

Overall, neither Adobe Illustrator nor Autodesk SketchBook excels in collaboration, but Illustrator offers slightly more options through Creative Cloud.

Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk SketchBook Pricing

Adobe Illustrator offers various subscription plans tailored to different user groups. Individuals can subscribe for £21.98 per month, while students and teachers enjoy a discounted rate of £16.24 per month. Businesses pay £27.99 per license per month for Illustrator alone. The Creative Cloud All Apps plan starts at £27.98 per month for the first three months, then increases to £56.98.

Autodesk SketchBook, on the other hand, is available for a one-time payment of $24.99. There are no subscription plans or recurring fees, making it a straightforward purchase. While Adobe Illustrator provides more features and flexibility through its subscription model, Autodesk SketchBook's one-time payment offers a more budget-friendly option for individual users.

Overall, Autodesk SketchBook has better pricing for those seeking a cost-effective, one-time purchase.

Comparing Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk SketchBook to Piktochart

Piktochart transforms complex ideas into captivating visuals that inform and engage your audience. With Piktochart AI, you can create stunning infographics, reports, and presentations in seconds, perfectly aligned with your brand. No design experience required.

Pros of Piktochart

• AI-Powered Design Generator: Piktochart's AI-powered design generator allows users to create stunning visuals quickly, saving time and effort.
• Extensive Customization Options: The platform offers extensive customization options for text and view properties, enabling users to tailor their visuals to their specific needs.
• Comprehensive Toolset: Piktochart provides a wide range of tools for creating various types of visual content, including infographics, presentations, and social media graphics.
• Video Tools: The inclusion of video tools such as a screen recorder, social media video maker, and video-to-text converter makes Piktochart a versatile choice for content creators.
• Support and Resources: Piktochart offers a wealth of resources, including a blog, video tutorials, webinars, and a help center, to assist users in maximizing their use of the platform.

Piktochart's Pricing

• Free: $0 (Free forever)
• Pro: $29 per member/month (billed monthly) or $14 per member/month (billed annually)
• Business: $49 per member/month (billed monthly) or $24 per member/month (billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing (Contact for details)

What Are Others Saying?

Adobe Illustrator Reviews

Overall, users have given Adobe Illustrator a rating of 4.6 out of 5. While many appreciate its precision and versatility, frustrations include a steep learning curve and performance issues on less powerful computers.

"The learning curve is quite steep, and it can be overwhelming for beginners." - John D., 3.5/5

"It crashes occasionally, which can be frustrating during intense projects." - Sarah K., 3.8/5

"The subscription model is expensive for freelancers." - Alex P., 3.7/5

Find more of Adobe Illustrator reviews on G2!

Autodesk SketchBook Reviews

Autodesk SketchBook has received an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. Users appreciate its ease of use and creative freedom but find it lacking in features and tools. Here are some of the reviews:

"Newest version removed a lot of functions." - Mark H., 3.5/5

"Nice sketch application that has room for improvements." - Ira Mae R., less than 4/5

"A good APP to draw your projects." - Carlos A., less than 4/5

Find more of Autodesk SketchBook reviews on G2!

Piktochart Reviews

Our users have given Piktochart an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5. They appreciate its ease of use and the ability to create professional visuals quickly. Here are some of the sentiments from our customers:

• "Easy to create content even if you're not a designer." - Jessica D.
• "My Go-To for ALL Professional Presentations!" - Jennifer K.
• "Incredibly intuitive design app." - Katie S.

Find more of our reviews on G2!

Why choose one over the other?

Why choose Adobe Illustrator over Autodesk SketchBook:

• Consumers who need to create scalable vector graphics for professional design projects will find Adobe Illustrator ideal. It's perfect for graphic designers and businesses requiring detailed and precise illustrations.

Why choose Autodesk SketchBook over Adobe Illustrator:

• Artists seeking a natural drawing experience with tools that mimic traditional media will prefer Autodesk SketchBook. It's suited for individuals who enjoy freehand drawing and quick sketches.

Why choose Piktochart over Autodesk SketchBook and Adobe Illustrator:

• Consumers looking to create professional visuals quickly without design experience will benefit from Piktochart. It's ideal for content creators, marketers, and educators needing versatile and easy-to-use design tools.

Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk SketchBook, or Piktochart: Which is the best platform for you?

Whether you're a professional designer, an artist, or a content creator, Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk SketchBook, and Piktochart each offer unique strengths to meet your creative needs. While all three tools are excellent choices, we believe Piktochart stands out for its ease of use and versatility, making it perfect for anyone looking to create stunning visuals quickly. Give Piktochart a try and see how it can transform your ideas into captivating visuals effortlessly.