Graphics Software

Adobe Illustrator CS5 is a winner. It offers new features that users have been asking for, and refines many existing tools to perform even better. New perspective tools will have you creating dramatic visual scenes, and the new Bristle Brush and Beautiful Strokes tools will create just the flair your images need. CS5 also enhances the capabilities of Artboards, and makes managing up to 100 Artboards in a single file a cakewalk. This may be the best version of Illustrator yet.

Review of Poser Pro 2010: Poser Pro 2010 is such a cool program that if we didn't have a legitimate use for it (besides testing and reviewing it), we'd do whatever it took to find one. There are many uses for Poser Pro 2010; the most obvious are 3D figure design and animation, but you can also use it to create figure models for drawing, painting, illustration, and sculpture.

ArtRage Studio Pro 3 Review: ArtRage Studio Pro is a multi-faceted painting program that does an above average job of simulating real-life drawing and painting tools. In addition to traditional tools, ArtRage Studio Pro includes a tracing tool, layers, stickers, and stencils. It works best with a graphics tablet, but a tablet isn't an absolute requirement. Find out more about ArtRage Studio Pro i…

ArtRage Studio Review: ArtRage Studio is a bit of a rarity in the world of painting software programs, at least ones in the under $100 category. It truly deserves to be called a paint program. Its painting tools look and feel much like their real-life counterparts, due in no small part to the option to choose a variety of painting surfaces. ArtRage Studio is easy and fun to use; no previous paint…

Swift Publisher 2 is a budget-friendly and easy-to-use way to create brochures, newsletters, flyers, and other personal and small business documents. It offers some of the features found in higher-end desktop publishing programs, and includes a collection of templates and clip art.

Art Text 2 is an easy-to-use program for adding texture and other special effects to text, and for creating simple yet attention-getting headings, logos, buttons, and icons.

InDesign CS4 is a powerhouse publishing application that offers a number of new or improved features, not the least of which are live preflighting, smart guides, cross-references, conditional text, a customizable links panel, and an updated interface that's consistent with the other CS apps. If you've been trying to decide whether to upgrade or not, Adobe has an offer you may find very difficult …

Review of Adobe Illustrator CS4: Adobe Illustrator CS4 is the oldest application in the Creative Suite, but it shows no signs of age. Thanks to a number of new and enhanced features, Adobe Illustrator CS4 retains its status as the best vector graphics software program. The most exciting new feature is multiple artboards, something that's long been on the wish list of Illustrator users.

Animation-ish is a delightfully easy to use program that will have you creating animations in a matter of minutes. No drawing skills are required; all you need are creativity and a sense of fun.

If you're just launching a business, or you need to make a quick change to the information on your current business cards, BeLight Software's Business Card Composer may be just what you need. Find out more about Business Card Composer in this expert review from Focus on Macs.

If you've been watching home makeover shows and wishing you could give your place a facelift, BeLight Software's Live Interior 3D may be just what you need to turn your ideas into reality. It includes room layouts, building and finishing materials, furniture, and fixtures for houses, apartments, and offices.

Review of Adobe Dreamweaver CS4: Dreamweaver CS4 offers a handful of intriguing and useful new features. It also has an updated interface that many users may hate at first, not because it's terrible, but because it's such a change from CS3. On the plus side, like the other CS4 apps, Dreamweaver CS4 has been updated to share a common interface with the rest of the CS4 suite.