Adobe Illustrator vs Blender

Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

Adobe Illustrator

1.5K
962
+ 1
2
Blender

365
309
+ 1
20
Add tool

Adobe Illustrator vs Blender: What are the differences?

Introduction

Adobe Illustrator and Blender are two powerful software programs used in the field of design and animation. While they both serve different purposes, there are key differences that set them apart. Let's explore these differences in more detail.

  1. Workflow and Purpose: Adobe Illustrator is primarily a vector graphics editor used for creating illustrations, logos, icons, and other scalable graphics. It focuses on precision, smooth curves, and mathematical calculations. On the other hand, Blender is a 3D computer graphics software used for modeling, animation, and rendering. It is designed for creating complex 3D models, visual effects, and animated scenes.

  2. User Interface: Adobe Illustrator has a user-friendly interface with intuitive tools and features, making it easier for designers to create vector artwork. Blender, on the other hand, has a more complex interface with a steep learning curve. It offers extensive customization options and is designed for advanced users who are willing to invest time in learning its intricacies.

  3. Functionality: Adobe Illustrator excels in creating precise vector graphics and offers a wide range of tools and effects tailored to 2D design. It has advanced drawing tools, shape manipulation options, and typography features. Blender, with its 3D capabilities, allows for creating complex 3D models, animations, and simulations. It provides features like sculpting, rigging, physics simulation, and advanced rendering options.

  4. Integration with Other Software: Adobe Illustrator seamlessly integrates with other Creative Cloud apps such as Photoshop and InDesign, allowing for a smooth workflow between different design tasks. It also supports import and export of various file formats commonly used in graphic design. Blender, on the other hand, has its own file format (.blend) but also supports import and export of many other formats. It offers integration with other software through its Python scripting API.

  5. Cost: Adobe Illustrator is a commercial software that requires a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. The pricing plans vary depending on the user's needs. Blender, on the other hand, is an open-source software available for free. It is supported by a community of developers and users who contribute to its continuous improvement.

  6. Platform Compatibility: Adobe Illustrator is available for both Windows and macOS. It offers consistent performance and compatibility across different operating systems. Blender, on the other hand, is available not only for Windows and macOS but also for Linux. It offers cross-platform compatibility and ensures a similar user experience on different operating systems.

In Summary, Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor designed for 2D design, while Blender is a 3D computer graphics software used for modeling and animation. The differences lie in their workflow, purpose, user interface, functionality, integration options, cost, and platform compatibility.

Get Advice from developers at your company using StackShare Enterprise. Sign up for StackShare Enterprise.
Learn More
Pros of Adobe Illustrator
Pros of Blender
  • 2
    Vector Creation
  • 9
    Free for Commercial and Personal Use
  • 4
    Layers
  • 4
    Usable For Graphic Design
  • 3
    Dozens of free addons, courses and an active community

Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions

Cons of Adobe Illustrator
Cons of Blender
  • 3
    Massive disk space usage
  • 3
    Adobe Updater to slow you down even more
  • 2
    Expensive
  • 1
    Not really a tool for web design
  • 1
    Clunky
  • 2
    Long Render Time (every 3d program ever)
  • 1
    Blender dropped the game engine, see UPBGE
  • 1
    Confusing UI and shortcut navigation for newcomers

Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

What is Adobe Illustrator?

The industry-standard vector graphics app lets you create logos, icons, sketches, typography, and complex illustrations for print, web, interactive, video, and mobile.

What is Blender?

It is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.

Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

What companies use Adobe Illustrator?
What companies use Blender?
See which teams inside your own company are using Adobe Illustrator or Blender.
Sign up for StackShare EnterpriseLearn More

Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions

What tools integrate with Adobe Illustrator?
What tools integrate with Blender?

Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions

What are some alternatives to Adobe Illustrator and Blender?
Adobe InDesign
The industry's leading page layout and design software enables you to create, proof and publish documents for print and digital media. Ir has everything to create posters, books, digital magazines, eBooks, interactive PDFs and more.
Adobe Photoshop
It is the best in the world of graphic design and image processing software that will realize any of your ideas. Create and enhance photos, illustrations and 3D graphic objects.
Inkscape
It is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. This software can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings.
Sketch
Easily create complex shapes with our state-of-the-art vector boolean operations and take advantage of our extensive layer styles.
Affinity Designer
No bloat, no gimmicks, just all the tools you need, implemented how you always dreamed. It is a stripped back, pro-end workhorse that will always get your job done. It was created to thrive on the electric pace of the latest computing hardware. Live, responsive and incredibly fluid, it’s simply a joy to use.
See all alternatives