If you are inexperienced in graphic design you may be wondering which program is best to use when starting out. Two popular design programs are CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator, but you are wondering which is the easiest to learn. Understanding how to use the tools in any design program properly will allow you to produce the best graphic designs possible.

Generally, if a person has little or no experience in graphic design, CorelDraw is easier to learn. CorelDraw offers more tutorials and examples of how to use the tools to achieve the best design whereas Illustrator is geared more toward professional designers with more training or experience.

To learn more about which program is easier to use and why continue reading.

CorelDraw Vs. Illustrator: Which Is Easier to Use?

When it comes to answering the question of which design program is easier to use it can depend upon who you are asking.

If you are asking a seasoned graphic designer versus someone who is less experienced you will likely get two different answers. Therefore we will explore both perspectives to give you a better understanding of which program will be best for your situation and experience level.

If You Are New to Graphic Design

Let’s begin by saying that the more programs and skills you can learn as a graphic designer the more your designs will improve and the more people will want to retain your services. The more you know the more versatile and therefore valuable you become.

So learning to use both CorelDraw and Adobe’s Illustrator is never a bad thing. But if you are new to graphic design it is undoubtedly best to begin with CorelDraw as it requires less practice time to become proficient.

Adobe Illustrator is geared more toward professionally trained designers which means it is not as self-explanatory or easy to use in that respect. Once you have learned where the tools are and how to use them after a lot of practice it is not too difficult, but until then it can be mentally arduous.  

A Plethora Of Potential From Program Suite

The reason for this is that CorelDraw is designed to be extremely user-friendly. It includes a suite of programs that allow you to do more than just illustrations and drawings.

Some features that make CorelDraw so easy to use are:

• Live sketch tool
• Healing clone tool
• Gaussian blur feature
• Stylus enhancements
• Interactive sliders for easier previewing
• Multiple font options and tools
• Touch friendly interface

These features and many others make it easier than ever for new designers to create and edit quickly without a great deal of training or practice time.

No Previous Knowledge Or Old Habits

Another reason CorelDraw is great for new designers is that generally, they are not biased toward one program or way of doing things so they are more open and able to learn the new program quickly.

The interface for CorelDraw is also another reason it is easier to learn for new designers. The tools and features are very simple to access and use.

Keyboard Shortcuts Lifesaving Time Saver

The majority of the tools and features have keyboard shortcuts associated with them so for many a mouse is rarely used when switching from one tool or feature to another.

The flexibility and compatibility of CorelDraw also make it a great choice for beginners and now it is also compatible with Mac devices which is great for those who are not PC based.

Experienced Graphic Designers Read Here

You have read and understand why CorelDraw is so easy to learn for new designers, but what about someone like yourself who has been using Adobe Illustrator since the dinosaurs roamed the earth?

Is CorelDraw the right fit for a designer of your caliber or should you stick to what you know; keep reading to find out.

Stay With Adobe Or Expand to New Horizons?

For new designers CorelDraw has been proven to be easy to learn and use; however, for more seasoned graphic designers who have lived and learned by the way of Adobe for decades learning CorelDraw can be slightly more daunting.

The reason it is more difficult to learn CorelDraw if you have grown up designing with Adobe Illustrator is that it is a completely different program, functionally speaking.

Although both programs can produce nearly the same quality of work, they offer different interfaces, tools, features, and ways of using them.

Learning the Lingo Can Be a Challenge

For those used to working with Adobe products, it can be tricky to learn the lingo and the lay of the land so to speak. Tools and features are named differently in CorelDraw than in Adobe Illustrator which can be a bit frustrating at first.

It’s kind of an old dog, new trick situation; can you teach an old designer how to use a newer program such as CorelDraw?

The answer is yes, but it can take some time and practice to get used to the “easier” ways of designing certain things. The key is to ask yourself what your needs are as a designer.

Learning a New Trick – Risk Versus Reward

With technology and the traditional way of graphic design transforming, it may be necessary to broaden your skill set by adding CorelDraw to your portfolio of programs that you are comfortable using.

If you find that your needs as a designer are not changing it may be best to stay where you are comfortable rather than spend hours learning new software only to achieve nearly the same end result.

You need to decide if learning CorelDraw is worth the time and effort it will take or if you can continue to achieve your design goals by sticking exclusively to Adobe products such as Illustrator.

CorelDraw Easier For Beginners, But Both Have Their Merits

So overall the general consensus is that if you have little or no experience with graphic design programs CorelDraw is easier to learn and use. These programs are top-notch and serve their purposes well so it never hurts to get good at using both of them to increase your design skills and capabilities to draw more awareness to your work.

Placeit is valuable, online graphic design software that allows you to create work from thousands of free templates, logos, designs, and more. You might be curious about the rules surrounding copyrights when you are looking to publish your Placeit designs on other platforms. Is all the music on Placeit copyright free?

All of the music on Placeit is copyright free. Music from Placeit might be flagged when you post it to another platform because some creators have Content ID registration. However, Placeit offers a fix to any potential issues when another platform flags your Placeit videos.

Read on to learn more about whether all the music on Placeit is copyright free and how to get around another platform that flags your content as potentially copyrighted. One of the many advantages of Placeit’s free software is the ability to create the videos you need with copyright-free music.

Is All The Music On Placeit Copyright Free?

It can be difficult to keep track of graphic design publishing rules. With websites such as YouTube having the ability to monitor all content, there are specific guidelines to follow to avoid demonetization, muted videos, or removed content.

The music you put in your videos when designing a project on Placeit is copyright free. When you publish your content, you are protected. You gain the right to use any components downloaded on Placeit and used in your projects. You can even resell your content.

Because all of the music on Placeit is copyright free, you do not have to worry about getting into trouble when you publish a video on another platform. With access to Placeit’s audio, you can find the exact sounds you are looking for that fit your project’s style. If YouTube and other platforms assign a copyright notice to your video, especially when the entire video was created in Placeit, you should not have trouble removing the copyright notice.

If your video gets a copyright notice and contains content from different software, you should first check to see which component(s) of the video is responsible for the copyright notice. If your video only contains components from Placeit, read below to learn how to resolve the problem. 

Will My Placeit Videos Be Flagged For Copyrighted Music?

Authors who provide their music to Placeit’s software have the option to register their audio through Content ID. Content ID acts as a digital footprint to protect an author’s work. While they may offer it for free through Placeit, an author may still want to keep tabs on their creation.

If you upload a video from Placeit to another platform that contains the technology to process copyright monitoring, the platform may find that the music you use contains a Content ID registration. It will notify you that your video has been flagged for copyrighted music.

How To Clear A Copyright Notice

Clearing a copyright notice is simple. To clear a copyright notice on YouTube and similar platforms:

• Locate the copyright notice claim
• Dispute the claim
• Credit Placeit.net/Envato

Go to the notification that alerts you of a copyright claim. Through YouTube, you can directly dispute a claim. File a dispute and select “I have a license or written permission from the proper rights holder to use this material.” You will then be prompted with a box to explain your dispute. In your explanation, write “A license to use this royalty-free music was acquired from Placeit.net/Envato.

The dispute should be settled in less than four days, and your video will be safe. If the author of the music has their audio registered through Content ID, they will also receive a notice that a video containing their music has been flagged for copyright. They can monetize your video, mute their music, or completely prevent your video from uploading. 

This is a rarity with Placeit since music authors also understand that their audio is copyright free and royalty-free. If the platform does not clear the claim and problems persist, seek the author of the music directly to resolve the situation.

Using Copyright-Free Music On Placeit

When you use Placeit’s copyright-free music, you do not have to worry about breaching copyright laws. Chances are that the author of the music does not have Content ID registration, but if they do, disputing a claim is simple.

If your video is flagged with a copyright notice, following the steps above should clear the dispute efficiently. Along with the useful software of Placeit, you can even resell your content that contains music from another Placeit author. However, you cannot sublicense the service itself, meaning that you cannot act as the source from which the music comes.

It is also worth noting that the music and other components that are free for your usage on Placeit are also free and available to other Placeit users. With thousands of customizable options, however, you can create your most unique designs yet.

Takeaway

All of the music on Placeit is copyright free and can be published on other platforms. If you receive a copyright notice, disputing the claim by crediting Placeit.net/Envato will resolve your issue.

If you have ever done any design work in Adobe Photoshop you are likely well aware of the awesome set of brush choices. If you love working with Adobe Illustrator you may be wondering how you can install ABR brushes so you can create the same awesome effects you did while using Photoshop.

Installing ABR brushes in Illustrator can be done with a few simple steps. Since Illustrator cannot open .abr file extensions it will be converted to an AI file type first. Once the desired brushes have been located on your computer they can be uploaded with the click of a button.

For more information on how to install ABR brushes in illustrator and other helpful information continue reading.

Installing Better Brushes For Maximum Design Quality

If you are an artist or graphic designer you want all of your work to look the best it can and give a true representation of who you are and what you can do.

Using mediocre design tools can make your design look less than stellar. This is why so many people like to use the ABR brush set. The ABR brush set adds so much aesthetic value to any design and is extremely versatile so it can be used for many different applications.

If you are new to the lingo, an ABR brush is simply a set of brushes created by Adobe initially to be used in Photoshop. They never realized at the time that the idea of these brushes would catch on like wildfire or expected them to be used in so many other formats and programs.

This set of brushes includes all of the information for the different sizes, styles, and textures that can be associated with each brush. The creation of this type of file has made creating digital designs even easier and less time-consuming.

So many people love the different brush styles and options for adding different patterns that they want to use them in other programs. Fortunately, there is a way to import ABR brushes into other programs but today we will focus on Adobe Illustrator, continue reading to learn more.

Installing ABR Brushes In Illustrator – What to Know

Installing ABR brushes in Illustrator can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. But once you learn the process it only takes a matter of seconds.

To successfully install ABR brushes in Adobe Illustrator, follow these steps:

1. Access the “Window” menu at the top of the screen
2. Once you have opened the “Window” menu scroll down until you find the option that says “Open Brush Menu”. This is where a small menu box pops up to give you brush options.
3. On the top of the menu near the right side is a small line of dots. Right-click on the dots to reveal another drop-down menu. Some people call these dots a “hamburger menu” because the dots are stacked on top of each other.
4. Scroll until you see the option that says “Open Brush Library”. A new drop-down menu will appear and you can scroll down and select the option that says “Other Library”.
5. This is where a file menu box will open up.
6. You need to find the location where the ABR files have been saved. Generally, they will be in a file listed “Photoshop” and then further located in a subfolder.
7. Once you locate the brush files you are looking for the next thing to do is click to open and install them into Illustrator.
8. Once installed into Illustrator you can find the brushes that you installed located in the “Brush Menu” where they can be used as you see fit.

Now that you understand how to install ABR brushes in Adobe Illustrator continue to learn more about brush styles and how they are used.

ABR Brushes – What Do They Bring to the Table?

Understanding how to install ABR brushes in Illustrator is one thing, but knowing what they do and how to use them most effectively is another.

The more you practice with the different brush styles and effects the better artist or designer you will become.

It can take some time to master all of the different effects and techniques but once you have spent some time in the program you will be able to effectively use the ABR brushes without even thinking.

Brushes allow an artist or graphic designer to:

• Paint or draw free-hand style
• Add color
• Add texture or patterns
• Edit photographs or other images
• Create new works of art
• Clarify layer masks

To use ABR brushes you need to understand the different options that are available. ABR brushes are extremely versatile and can even be customized via the “Brush Library”.

Ways to Customize Your ABR Brushes

The great thing about brushes is that they are so versatile.

The following list gives examples of the things that can be customized in the brush library:

• Different tip diameters
• Different shaped or angled tips
• Opacity levels
• Smoothing
• Dodge and burn effect
• Hardness
• Colors and patterns/designs

Now, let’s see where to open your ABR brush files.

Where to Open ABR Brush Files

If you are not editing and just need to view a document with ABR files you may be wondering what to do if you need to open and view files that have ABR files stored in them.

For example, if someone sends you a file to view and it has ABR file extensions attached you will likely need to use a design program or document viewer in order for the file to be viewed properly.

Programs that can open and/or view ABR files are:

• Adobe
• Affinity
• Corel
• GIMP
• Procreate
• ACD Systems
• Preset Viewer Breeze
• ABR Viewer

There may be other programs that can open and/or view the files as well but these are the most commonly used.

Installing ABR Brushes In Illustrator No Sweat

As you can see, as long as you know where the ABR files are saved on your computer it is not a difficult task to install them in Illustrator. Adding this dynamic brush set will help you complete your work faster and add a lot of visual appeal to your designs.

When working on a self-published book, one of the most important aspects is the book cover. Even if you’ve had the perfect cover designed, there may be times when you need to change the size due to certain formatting limitations. So, how can you resize a book cover in Photoshop without losing anything?

As a general rule, document resizing in Photoshop can be done from the Image menu. When a book cover needs to be resized, go to the Image menu and select Image Size. From here, document size and pixel dimensions can be adjusted to the proper size.

A book cover is one of the key marketing tools that will help get your book into readers’ hands, so it’s important to get it right. Keep reading to learn how to resize a book cover in Photoshop, so that you don’t lose aspects of your design when it goes to print.

How To Resize A Book Cover In Photoshop

When designing your book cover, the size has a huge impact on not only how it looks, but how it is perceived by your readers. For this reason, there are general guidelines on how large or small a cover should be, depending on which genre your book falls into.

If you’ve already designed your cover, don’t fret. The size can easily be changed in Photoshop with a few adjustments.

Finding Your Book Cover Size

The size of book covers can vary greatly. For example, if you are working on a children’s book, the average cover size is 7 inches by 10 inches. However, mass-market paperback novels are usually 4.25 inches by 6.87 inches.

There is a difference in size between hardcover and paperback books as well. Hardcover books are generally taller and wider than their paperback counterparts. Therefore, it’s a good idea to do some research on your genre, before adjusting your cover design.

Here are some of the most popular standard book cover sizes for different genres:

• Paperback Fiction: 5.25’ x 8’
• Hardcover Fiction: 6” x 9”
• Paperback Novels: 5” x 8”
• Memoirs: 5.5” x 8.5”
• Non-Fiction: 6” x 9”
• Textbooks: 8.5” x 11”
• Children’s Books: 7” x 10”

Keep in mind that these are standard measurement sizes, but you aren’t limited to them. If you have a practical justification, don’t be afraid to branch out and try a different size.

What Aspect Ratio Are Book Covers?

Another thing to keep in mind is the aspect ratio of your cover. If you are designing a cover for an ebook, this is especially important to know.

Every device’s screen has an aspect ratio that determines how many pixels will show up across the screen. For example, the most recent iPad has an aspect ratio of 4:3. That means for every 4000 pixels of height, there will be 3000 pixels of width.

As a general rule, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) recommends that every ebook cover art follow an aspect ratio of 1.6:1, with a pixel height of at least 2,500 for the best quality. 

Resizing Your Cover From the Image Menu

Now that you know what size your book cover should be, it’s time to resize it. To do this start by opening up the file in Photoshop. It may be a good idea to make a copy of the file before attempting to make any changes to that you still have the original to work with.

Next, click on Image from the menu bar and select Image Size. In the Image Size window, you will see options for adjusting pixel dimensions and document size.

To scale your image by Document Size, you will enter the size in inches in the Width and Height boxes. For example, for a standard children’s book, your width would be set to 7 and the height would be 10.

To scale your image by Pixel Size, you will need to know the exact number of pixels your document should have. For example, if you follow the KDP aspect ratio recommendations, you would enter 1,600 for the width and 2,560 for the height.

When you’re done, simply click OK.

Where Else Can Book Covers Be Made?

If the idea of working with Photoshop makes you a bit uneasy, you could always test out making your book cover with Placeit.net. Placeit offers tons of premade book cover templates that can easily be resized and customized with the click of a button.

Plus, when you’re done, just switch over to the mockup creator to make your very own product mockups.

Final Thoughts

Working with book covers can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Hopefully, this quick guide helped you learn how to easily resize a book cover in Photoshop so that your prints come out right every time.

Logos are necessary if you have a business. However, they can be tricky to create. One of the most common ways to draft a logo is through Photoshop, but not everyone is capable of using this application. Is it possible to turn a drawing into a logo without Photoshop? Are there ways around this traditional method?

If you’re interested in learning more about turning a drawing into a logo without photoshop, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the necessary steps to transform a drawing into a logo without the traditional use of Photoshop. In no time, you will have a wonderful logo everyone will recognize.

Create the Drawing

The first thing you need to do is create a drawing of your logo. This action might occur as a drawing, or you may create it digitally. The method you use to form the logo is up to you and your comfort level. The most critical thing is to ensure it encapsulates your company and provides all the information an interested party needs without too much searching.

You can also hire someone better at drawing than you. There may be a person who comes to mind, such as a friend or a coworker with artistic experience. There are also websites, such as Upwork or Fiverr, that offer the chance to hire professionals for logo creation.

Turn the Drawing Into a Logo

It might feel impossible to turn a drawing into a logo without Photoshop. However, there are a few excellent ways to complete this process without resorting to Adobe software.

Here are the two best ways to turn a drawing into a logo:

• Use an online image converter
• Try an online image creator

Let’s talk more about each method to help you determine if either will work for your needs. The more you know about each process, the better you can bring your logo to life without being forced to use Photoshop.

Use an Online Image Converter

The first method you can try is using an online image converter. These items make it easy to scan or upload your logo and transform it into a usable document for the future.

Here are the steps for an online image converter:

• Choose an image converter
• Upload the drawing
• Download as a PNG or JPEG

You will have a logo after this process.

Although some online image converters cost money, there are several free selections. Mess around with your choices until you find the ideal choice for your needs. If none work, attempt an editor instead.

Try an Online Image Editor

An online image editor also works well for the logo creation process. You can place your logos into the system, then make critical edits before downloading the final product for your professional needs.

Here are the steps for an online image editor:

• Upload the drawing
• Use the editing tool to make changes and additions to the image
• Download the final product as a PNG or JPEG

You will have the image you need after this process.

As with the online image converter, there are many free and paid editor versions. The editor is ideal if you want to make edits to the logo before downloading a usable document.

If All Else Fails, Be Creative

If all else fails, it’s necessary to be creative with your logo creation. There are plenty of scanning apps and even additional Adobe software you may find as a better alternative for creating a logo. You can even hand-draw the logo or put it together online and search for someone who can use Photoshop to bring it to life.

Here are a few additional ways to be creative with the creation of your logo:

• Hire: You can look for someone on the internet who can turn the drawing into a logo on Photoshop for a small fee.
• Ask: You can ask friends or colleagues with experience if they will transform the product for you.
• Hand-draw and scan: Another method is to hand-draw the logo and scan it onto whatever product you need.

These can provide success as you work to form a logo for your business.

Conclusion

The process of forming a logo is a creative one, and finding a way to bring it to life may be creative as well. If you don’t know how or don’t want to use Photoshop for your logo creation, there are plenty of ways around it.

As a graphic designer or photographer, there’s nothing worse than finding out that someone duplicated your image without permission. In order to prevent this, especially in this digital age, more and more people are adding watermarks to their images. Photoshop is one of the most popular ways to do this, but what if you don’t want to use Photoshop?

Below, we will discuss four ways you can watermark a photo without using Photoshop. Keep reading to learn all about a few of the best options out there!

How to Put a Watermark on a Photo Without Photoshop

Most professional photographers and graphic designers watermark the photos or images they share publicly to avoid people duplicating their work without permission. Over the years, Photoshop has been the number one program artists have used to add these watermarks. But, what if you don’t want to use Photoshop to watermark your work?

Whether you want to avoid paying the premium fee associated with a Photoshop subscription or you simply don’t like the way Photoshop deals with watermarks, you’re looking for a way to mark your images without using this program. 

Luckily, there are many other programs you can use to add watermarks. Some of your options include:

• Adobe Lightroom
• Microsoft Paint
• iWatermark
• GIMP

Below, we will discuss what types of watermarks you can add to your images in each of these programs so you can make the best decision for your unique artistic needs.

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is part of Adobe Creative Cloud, meaning a subscription to Lightroom is usually included in your Photoshop subscription. While it may not be the most feasible option if you want to avoid paying the Photoshop subscription fee, it is a viable option for someone who just doesn’t like the way Photoshop does watermarks.

Many photographers and graphic designers prefer using Lightroom to add watermarks to their photos instead of Photoshop. While the two programs work very similarly, Lightroom offers a more customizable and streamlined approach to watermarking.

You can add a text or graphic watermark to your photos in Lightroom and adjust the opacity and placement to align perfectly with your brand. Not only can you easily add your watermark to a single image, but you can also create a preset that will allow you to watermark batches of images at the same time. 

Microsoft Paint

If you work on a Windows computer, you’ve almost definitely heard of Microsoft Paint before. This is a very simple drawing and photo manipulation app that comes pre-installed on all Windows computers, and if you need to add a simple text watermark to your photos in a pinch, it’s still a great choice.

To add a watermark in MS Paint, follow the steps below:

1. Launch Microsoft Paint on your computer.
2. Open the “File” menu, then select “Open.” Select the image you’d like to add your watermark to. Note that MS paint cannot read advanced photo formats, so be sure to save the image as .PNG or .JPG beforehand.
3. Once the image is on your screen, select the font tool and click on the spot on the image where you’d like to add your watermark.
4. Choose your font, text size, and color, then type out your watermark.
5. Save the watermarked image to your computer.

While MS Paint definitely does not offer a lot in terms of customization, it will work fine in last-minute situations.

iWatermark

The iWatermark app is a great option if you want to watermark photos from your smartphone. This application is available for a wide variety of devices, including:

• iPhone
• Android
• Mac computers
• Windows computers

iWatermark allows you to add either text or graphic watermarks to your photos, whichever fits in more with your brand. You can even watermark batches of images simultaneously, just like in Lightroom! In addition to all this, you can use the app to add an invisible QR code to your images, which contain all your information as the artist.

This app does come for a small fee. However, it’s typically considered to be worth the cost for all the customization options you get.

GIMP

When looking for alternatives to Photoshop, especially for watermarking purposes, many photographers and artists turn to GIMP. GIMP, or GNU Image Manipulation Program, has a very similar interface to Photoshop. However, unlike Photoshop, it is completely free to download and use.

You can use GIMP to add text or graphic watermarks to your photos with the program’s layers and opacity features. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Open the image you want to add your watermark to in GIMP.
2. Open the “File” menu, then select “Open in Layers.”
3. Choose your watermark from the file selection window.
4. When your watermark appears on the screen, click and drag it to your desired location.
5. Navigate to the “Windows” menu and hover over “Dockable Dialogs.” Select “Layers.”
6. From the Layers window, select the layer that has your watermark.
7. Click and drag the opacity bar until you reach your desired opacity.

One of the best things about GIMP is its wide array of available plugins, which add even more functionality to the program. Something many photographers and artists look for is a program’s ability to add watermarks to a batch of images all at once. 

While this is not possible using just GIMP, plugins make it feasible. Downloading the Batch Image Manipulation Program, or the BIMP plugin, will allow you to watermark multiple photos simultaneously.

Adding Watermarks Without Photoshop

Not everyone enjoys the complexity of programs like Adobe Photoshop, and not everyone can afford the high monthly cost that comes with using the program. While most photographers and graphic designers do use this program to add watermarks to their images, rest assured that there are other ways.

If you want a free alternative to Photoshop, consider using GIMP or Microsoft Paint to watermark your images. If you want a lower cost option, go with iWatermark. Or, if you just don’t like the watermarking process that Photoshop uses, you may want to switch to Adobe Lightroom.

Regardless of what drawing table you have, all of them are susceptible to technical malfunctions. While frustrating, it isn’t all that uncommon The tablet not being detected is one of the big issues users have reported.

This issue is more common in the Wacom tablet compared to any other brand. However, these fixes apply to all brands:

• Update drivers/Windows
• Reinstall drivers
• Restart the tablet/PC
• Check Cables

As you read, there will be step-by-step guides on how to do each one of these and what the result should be. There will be a solution of some sort for you here and we’ll start from the most likely cause.

Update Drivers and Windows

For some reason, these tablets like to fight with Windows, constantly. Sometimes the issue is drivers being out of date because Windows doesn’t always keep things up to date, or a new Windows update can cause conflicts with the older drivers for tablets.

This usually can be fixed by installing the latest drivers. Technology loves to fight against itself and sometimes it just takes a little wiggling around to get it to work properly. If drivers aren’t the issue, it may be something that is more of a pain.

Driver Updates

This has a handful of steps to it, but it’s a fairly easy process and should only take you a few minutes. There are two ways you can do this step:

1. Use Windows search and look for “Device Manager”.
2. In the device manager, look for your tablet’s name.
3. When you find it, right-click on it.
4. It should give you the option to update the drivers.

Manually Update Drivers

Now, sometimes it doesn’t give you the option to do the automatic update that way and you will have to manually update your drivers. Again, this is pretty easy:

1. Search up your tablet and the drivers for it.
2. Download the newest drivers.
3. Install them by following the instructions it shows.

You shouldn’t need to uninstall the old drivers first, but sometimes it can help. The way the software interacts in Windows, it should just basically paste the newest version over the old version. If it doesn’t work, or there are any conflicts, don’t worry because we’ll be covering fresh installs in a minute.

Update Windows

Windows, especially 11, has a ton of issues with conflicts with other software. It’s fairly new and there are kinks to work out, which is why it needs to be updated as much as possible. These updates will fix little quirks and incompatibility issues.

It’s best you don’t put off the updates because they are full of patches, which could be why your tablet is not detected at all or only briefly. Updating Windows is very simple and straight forward though.

1. Type “Update” in the windows search function.
2. Look at the page it brings up and see if anything is downloading.
3. If there is, select “Download and Install”.
4. It will probably take several minutes for it to download.
5. After it’s downloaded, select “Restart now” when prompted.
6. This will install the update.

If you don’t update often and you have lots of updates it needs to cycle through, be aware that this can take a while to install. You may also notice that your computer will restart several times during this process, but that’s okay. It’s normal for it to do that when it had multiple large updates pending.

After your computer is done updating, give your tablet a try once more, and hopefully, all you needed was a simple windows update. If not, there are some more fixes coming up.

Reinstall Drivers

If you tried manually updating the drivers from the last step, you can use that download for this as well. If you did not, you will need to search the manufacturer’s website for the newest drivers. Download them but do not do anything with them quite yet.

In order for this to work, you need to make sure any and all related software is completely off your computer. So, we’ll go through some very easy steps to make sure this goes as smoothly as possible for you with as few hiccups as possible.

1. Search in Windows for “Device Manager”.
2. Look for the name of your tablet.
3. Right-click on the name and select “Uninstall driver”.
4. Then search windows again for “Control Panel” and select “Uninstall a Program”.
5. Search the list for ANY programs associated with your specific tablet.
6. Uninstall them.
7. Restart your computer.
8. Install the drivers you downloaded earlier and follow the steps.

Hopefully, after all this, your tablet is now being detected by your computer. If not, there are a couple of things left.

Turn Off the Device and PC

So, this is just something to try if nothing else has worked. This is the good ole’ turn it off and back on again. If nothing else worked, this probably won’t but technology has a mind of its own.

All you have to do is simply shut down the computer and tablet if it has a power button. Make sure it is off completely before you power everything back up again. Power the PC up first and then the tablet.

Check the Cables

You can try swapping your connecting cables out for new ones. Examine the one you currently have and see if there is any distress on the cable. If it looks good, it could just be a worn cable on the inside or the connecting sides.

Make sure you keep all your cables stored away from any sort of moisture because that can erode the wires inside and cause issues.

Conclusion

If none of these solutions have helped, the next best bet is going to be reaching out to the manufacturer for a warranty replacement, or if it hasn’t been long you can always get a replacement.

Hopefully, the drivers were the issues and you are now making amazing art on your drawing tablet! If it happens again, you may want to repeat the step that made it start working again.

Whether you’ve had a drawing tablet for a long time or are new to them, technical issues can be very frustrating. Most of these issues are simple problems that can be fixed with very minimal issues!

The most basic explanation for how to fix them is to make sure Windows and your tablet drivers are up to date. If that doesm’t work, consider switching out the cable you use to plug it into your PC.

If you aren’t certain how to do some of these things and need assistance, I’ll be including a step-by-step guide to get your tablet up and working in no time. There are also some other things to consider and those will be covered as well.

Why Does my Drawing Tablet Keep Disconnecting

The biggest offenders for this are:

• Outdated software/drivers
• Damaged cords/cables
• Damaged tablet

The steps for fixing these are usually not too bad. However, if your tablet has been damaged or is having more issues, you may need to file a warranty claim on it to get a replacement or outright buy a new one if the warranty period is over.

It is frustrating when technology doesn’t want to cooperate how it should so the solutions included are meant to be as easy as possible to understand and hopefully fix your tablet from disconnecting.

Outdated Software and Drivers

Windows is pretty good about auto-updating drivers or letting you know when they are out of date. It still isn’t uncommon for it to not pick up op on some of these, especially for off-brand products.

Drivers usually end up being one of the biggest reasons something doesn’t work. Windows updates are included in this as well, especially if you are someone that puts the updates off until you absolutely have to do it.

Updating Windows

If you’re Windows is out of date here is the easiest way to get it up and working:

1. Click on the magnifying glass icon on your taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
2. Type in “Updates”.
3. This opens the Windows update window.
4. Download anything that is pending.

If you haven’t updated Windows in a long while, it can take a while for the updates to go through and it may restart several times in the process. Do not worry! This is completely normal. Once the update is complete, you should give it a try and see if your tablet is working and functional. If it’s not, continue on for more fixes.

Updating Drivers

Here are the steps for updating the drivers:

1. Type “Device Manager” into the magnifying glass.
2. Look for your tablet’s name under the device manager.
3. Right-click on it and select “Update Drivers”.
4. You may want to restart your computer after this.

Now, after you have restarted your computer, try it again. If that doesn’t work, you may have to go to the manufacturer’s website and find the drivers and manually install from there. The best way to do this is to simply go to Google and type in the brand, model, and then include drivers. This should be a direct link to what you need.

Reinstall Drivers

If that didn’t work, a fresh install may be what you need here are the steps for this:

1. Type in “control panel” into the magnifying glass.
2. Search for your table and right-click to uninstall.
3. You can also uninstall it in the device manager as well.
4. Once it is uninstalled, you may want to restart your computer.
5. Use the manually downloaded drivers from the last step and reinstall them once more.

If none of these solutions worked, it may have to do with a faulty connecter cable or device, and if that’s the case you are going to have to get a replacement which may cost money if not covered under warranty.

Damaged Cables

The easiest way to troubleshoot this problem is to use another cable to plug it into the computer and see if that helps at all. While it isn’t the best solution, it can determine if the issue was a faulty cable.

Sometimes these cables can get damaged from having heavy things on top of them or moisture getting into one of the connecting sides. It’s common for cables to go bad, especially if you are using them frequently or if they are in an area that may have potentially been exposed to a liquid.

If your manufacturer does not sell the cables individually, simply go to Google or Amazon and find one that matches the type you have, since some tablets may use a different connector compared to others.

Faulty Tablet

This is the worst-case scenario. When a device is used heavily sometimes these things just happen and you need to get a replacement. Tablets are usually pricey and you may not want to spend the extra cash to pay for a replacement but they should have come with a warranty of some sort.

If you are unsure if the device has a warranty or not, you can reach out to the manufacturer and they will ask you some questions to see if it’s something they cover. Most tech-related items come with a one-year warranty on the low end and others will come with a two-year.

There is no easy way to detect if the issue is the device or not, unless you have another computer you can try it on and see if it is even compatible with your computer’s hardware. For something that isn’t compatible you should try to return it for a refund and search for another tablet that may work better.

Conclusion

The biggest issues lie with drivers or outdated software and sometimes Windows updates will make certain drivers go a little wonky it’s usually just a matter of updating the drivers so they can be compatible once again.

When it comes to faulty equipment, there isn’t an easy workaround unless you are an expert in fixing these things. The best thing to do is to return the device or file a warranty claim for it. Switching cables may also be beneficial.

Fonts are exceptional works of graphic art that we use to build books and websites. Lettering is so diverse, and designers pride themselves on designing fonts that are crisp and catchy to readers. So how can you identify a font in Adobe Illustrator?

Illustrator has a high level of functionality and detail that allows you to choose from an extensive library of fonts and find the names of other fonts while installing them. However, there are pitfalls, and being unable to find a font can be maddening. Don’t let it get to you! Read on and learn how to identify a font in Adobe Illustrator.

How to Identify a Font in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe has a whole world of applications and software that work heavily in the arts industry. Their Creative Cloud applications can help create art and designs for several types of businesses, and they even have an application geared toward fonts. If fonts are hard to find, some applications and extensions can be used to find the font you want.

1. Using the Windows is an Easy Way to Identify a Font

One of the best things about Illustrator is that there’s always a window that meticulously tracks your work. For instance, when you open a window for text, a box will appear, usually on the left-hand side, that shows lots of information about the font you are using.

A few things you can learn from the Font window in Illustrator are:

• Font Name – One of the first windows you see on the Font menu is the name of the Font. It will be a drop-down menu that will have hundreds of options to choose from. The name of the font will be prominently displayed in the window.
• Font Size – Another thing you will see in the window is the font size. Size is important because if you are working on a design with different sizes of text in it, you must know if you are using the correct size.
• Font Color – The color of the font that you are using will also be present in the Font menu window. Colors can add emotion and feel to your projects or as a layer for other colored fonts.

The basics about the font will be available in the Font menu window. For example, you can identify the name and size of a font and the color. Other options here allow you to change the font’s shape and even import a font you designed.

2. Adobe Fonts is Another Excellent Resource for Identifying Fonts

Adobe Fonts is an application that provides a platform for creating and identifying fonts you find in the world. One of the best things about it is that there’s a way to upload photos from your phone and computer that links up with the search to create a powerful engine that allows you to track down any font you can get a clear picture of.

Some ways that Adobe Fonts helps you Identify Font in Illustrator are as follows:

• Uploading – The most impressive way that Fonts helps you identify other font usage is by uploading pictures of it. You must have clear, unobscured images to get results, but no matter what font you upload, the app will return the name and a link to download it.
• Font Packs – Adobe works to ensure that all their fonts can be used as seconds to other more popular fonts. They have a font pack that allows you to mimic some of the most used fonts on the internet. If you want to ID a font, using packs is an excellent idea.
• Font Search – A search allows you to do an advanced investigation of the font, down to the designer and stroke width. The search is fantastic because while it might not return an exact copy of the font you want, it gets you in the neighborhood and could even provide substitutions.

Illustrator and Font can be linked to work simultaneously like an extension. Getting the programs working together is essential, as their Type kits will allow you to create your fonts and shadow the ones you look to identify.

3. Illustrator has the Additional Capability to Identify Fonts.

There are a couple of other ways to lean on the Illustrator application to determine the type of font you want to identify. Like the earlier options, some windows and menus can be accessed to show you all the information you need about fonts. The downside is that there is no way to determine a font’s name if it has been changed to lines.

A few ways that you can use the menus in Illustrator to identify fonts are:

• Character Menu – One of the impressive menus that will allow you to find a font is the Character menu. It is along the top of the screen and has several options inside that will enable you to edit and work fonts until they meet the standard or effect you are trying to meet.
• Glyph Menu – The Glyph menu isn’t somewhere that jumps to the top of your list when looking to identify a font. It is a valuable resource because it has a gigantic library of shapes and letters that could provide the key you need to unlock your font identification.

The menus in Illustrator are worth exploring. There are ways to change the shape and texture of fonts that will allow you to create unique works. By playing and exploring, you begin to recognize fonts on sight by how they are made and not by how they are labeled.

Conclusion

Identifying a font in Adobe Illustrator can be done using a few menus or one of Adobe’s many extensions. The best place to start is by checking the font menu on the left-hand side of your screen. It has all sorts of information, from the size to the color.

Adobe has functionality in its menus that will allow you to check the names and sizes of fonts without using the Font menu. You can find ways to name your font by going into Glyphs or Character. If none of those work, you should use Adobe Fonts to upload a photo of the lettering, and it will populate the correct name.

Envato is a valuable platform that offers an online community for creators. Here you can find assets, tools, and talent, all available for use in varying locations. There are many platforms within Envato. Two of the most prominent are Envato Market and Envato Elements. What is the difference between the two?

The most prominent item that sets these two apart is how you gain access to creative elements. Envato Market allows users to purchase a single item, while Envato Elements runs on a subscription plan. Both offer access to unique tools for creative purposes.

If you’re interested in learning more about what sets Envato Market and Envato Elements apart, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about each platform, the pros and cons, and which is better. The more you know, the better a decision you can make for your creative needs. 

What is Envato Market?

Envato Market is an online marketplace. It’s a product and tool that offers access to more than nine million digital products, formed by creators all around the world. There are many types of artists on Envato Market.

You can find offerings on Envato Market from:

• Designers
• Developers
• Photographers
• Illustrators
• Producers

There are tons of items to choose from on the platform.

Envato Market opens the doors to a multitude of exciting adventures. You can create astonishing flyers, form videos with gorgeous graphics, enhance video games, and more. Envato Market is a place where creatives can put their work and assist others to push their productions to greater heights.

Pros and Cons

Envato Market is an excellent platform, but it’s critical to consider both sides. Let’s go over the pros and cons of the tool.

Here are the pros of Envato Market:

• Unlimited updates
• Affordable prices
• Many products
• Paradise for designers

These make it a quality choice for creatives. Now, let’s go over the less-than-ideal elements.

Here are the cons of Envato Market:

• Only six months of support
• Lack of money-back guarantee

These may push a person to another platform.

Despite the flaws, Envato Market is still an excellent choice for those who only need a few tools. Now, let’s talk about Envato Elements.

What is Envato Elements?

Envato Elements is not the same as Envato Market. Rather than posting offerings from other artists, Envato Elements is a subscription service. Here, you pay a monthly fee for access to many digital assets for enhancing a project. The only items you can access are the items available through Envato Elements.

Envato Market offers a license for each product, while Envato Elements provides one for every item. You still get access to unique items crafted by artists, but they work on a subscription basis instead of one where each item must be purchased.

Although they are different, there are benefits to each for varying circumstances. We’ll talk about which one comes out on top a little later.

Pros and Cons

There are good and bad qualities with Envato Elements, just as with Envato Market. Let’s discuss the pros and cons to help you make a better choice for your creative production needs.

Here are the pros of Envato Elements:

• One subscription for unlimited access
• Affordable price point
• One commercial license for every item
• Vast library
• Excellent value

These help it stand out from similar services. Now, let’s turn to the less-than-ideal items.

Here are the cons of Envato Elements:

• Quality can be mixed
• Locating the proper image is tricky
• All people get access to all files
• Small catalog compared to others
• Lack of update notifications or item support

These may cause someone to turn away from the service.

Although there are some bad qualities associated with Envato Elements, it’s still an excellent platform if you want access to tools through a subscription-based service. Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons of each product, it’s time to determine which is the better choice.

Which is the Better Choice?

Each product serves a different purpose. One offers access to products without a subscription, while the other needs monthly payments for access. Different designers may find what they need with different platforms.

If you only need one or two tools, Market is an excellent choice. You can browse and avoid purchasing until you find the ideal item. If you want many tools, Elements is better. It will make it easy to access Envato’s massive library for an affordable price.