Xfig vs Adobe Illustrator

Struggling to choose between Xfig and Adobe Illustrator? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Xfig is a Photos & Graphics solution with tags like diagramming, flowcharts, uml, vector-graphics, open-source.

It boasts features such as Vector graphics editor, Supports objects like circles, boxes, lines, spline curves, text, etc, Can export to formats like PDF and PostScript, Used for flowcharts, UML diagrams, network maps, etc and pros including Open source, Cross platform, Good for technical/engineering drawings, Lots of export options.

On the other hand, Adobe Illustrator is a Photos & Graphics product tagged with illustration, design, vector-graphics, logos, posters, creative-cloud, adobe.

Its standout features include Vector graphics creation, Typography tools, Artboards, Brushes, Actions, Live shapes, Perspective drawing tools, Gradient tools, Mesh tool, Puppet warp tool, Image tracing, Patterns, Graphs and charts, and it shines with pros like Industry standard for vector graphics, Powerful drawing and typography tools, Great for print and web design, Integrates seamlessly with other Adobe apps, Can create complex illustrations, Lots of plugins and resources available.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Xfig

Xfig

Xfig is an open-source vector graphics editor used to draw diagrams and figures. It supports objects like circles, boxes, lines, spline curves, text, etc. and can export to formats like PDF and PostScript. Common uses are drawing diagrams like flowcharts, UML diagrams, network maps, etc.

Categories:
Photos & Graphics Vector Graphics Editors
diagramming flowcharts uml vector-graphics open-source

Xfig Features

  1. Vector graphics editor
  2. Supports objects like circles, boxes, lines, spline curves, text, etc
  3. Can export to formats like PDF and PostScript
  4. Used for flowcharts, UML diagrams, network maps, etc

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Open source

Cross platform

Good for technical/engineering drawings

Lots of export options

Cons

Dated interface

Limited WYSIWYG capabilities

Steep learning curve

Development stalled in recent years

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor used for illustrations, web/app designs, logos, packaging, posters and more. It's part of Adobe's Creative Cloud and integrates with other Adobe apps.

Categories:
Photos & Graphics Vector Graphics Editors
illustration design vector-graphics logos posters creative-cloud adobe

Adobe Illustrator Features

  1. Vector graphics creation
  2. Typography tools
  3. Artboards
  4. Brushes
  5. Actions
  6. Live shapes
  7. Perspective drawing tools
  8. Gradient tools
  9. Mesh tool
  10. Puppet warp tool
  11. Image tracing
  12. Patterns
  13. Graphs and charts

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Industry standard for vector graphics

Powerful drawing and typography tools

Great for print and web design

Integrates seamlessly with other Adobe apps

Can create complex illustrations

Lots of plugins and resources available

Cons

Expensive subscription model

Steep learning curve

Not ideal for photo editing or raster graphics

May be overkill for simple graphics

Frequent updates can cause compatibility issues