Graphic designing can be easy and it can be hard. And sometimes you just need a little assistance. But is it okay to incorporate stock vector images into your designs? Or use them in general?

Yes, graphic designers can use stock vector images in any of their designs. It can help save time because they don’t have to recreate a specific design from scratch. These images can be downloaded through many places, however be sure the stock vector image comes with commercial usage rights.

There are some things that graphic designers need to consider if they are going to use a stock vector image in their design. You can use many images but sometimes images may have specific copyright requirements that you need to abide by. Continue reading to find out more.

Do Graphic Designers Use Stock Vector Images?

It is okay if you want to use stock vector images in your design, and doing so is a great way to save time. 

You can even incorporate images that are given to you by clients to work into the design. It makes it more personable to your client and you don’t have to start from scratch. You can work smarter instead of harder.

Benefits Of Using Stock Vector Images

When you use a stock image to help with your artwork or designs, the work can be done more quickly. You won’t have to stress over certain things and it helps when you may be in a creative funk. Plus, why do something that someone has already created? 

Stock images are also great for those graphic designers that are just beginning their career. It allows newer designers to get the hang of the workload while giving them access to different styles. Here are some of the many other benefits of using a stock vector image:

• Easy to resize within the vector layer. 
• The image keeps its quality for whatever size you are going for.
• It is smaller file size.
• Perfect for when you want to create illustrations.
• The format is much easier to format than in other ways.
• Reduces time on some creative pieces.
• Allows you to take on more projects as a graphic designer.

There are many other ways you can edit or add stock images to your work. You can use the raster layer but because it is pixelated, the quality of your stock image may not be retained if you zoom in or out. It could become blurry or heavily pixelated and lose details.

Cons Of Using Stock Vector Images

There are a few downfalls when you use a stock vector image. This has more to do with the image that you choose to use and not how you incorporate them into your design. Here are the following cons when you use a stock picture in your vector image:

• The image could be of low quality.
• You may be buying or downloading an image with specific copyrights.
• The image may be copyrighted and the artist can take legal action.
• It will reduce the variety within a work.

When downloading a vector image, ensure you know the copyrights of the image and if there are specific rules for that image. You can find many simple images that don’t have strict copyrights that can be used for your designs.

How To Get Vector Art

There are many places where you can find vector art. You can even find images on Google, just be sure to double check the copyrights on the image.

Google is not the only place where you can find images to help with your designs. Other places include the following:

• The shops within the design programs.
• Marketplaces like Placeit.net (everything here is copyright-free and commercially usable).
• Pinterest
• Other artists via their websites or social media platforms.

Always buy from artists and marketplaces you trust. You don’t want to purchase from someone new and realize that the image is just a copy of something else or you don’t even get the vector image. Many marketplaces are protected so you don’t have to worry about being scammed.

Outro

Using a vector stock image can make your graphic designing a whole lot easier. It is great when you are overwhelmed with projects, have a creative roadblock, or you just want to change your style. You can use these images to make your work better and your life just a little bit easier.

There are so many programs that you can download to complete your digital art. One of those is Clip Studio Paint. It is great for designing so many different artistic creations like comics, book covers, and more, but how long does the license last?

Clip Studio Paint offers a lifetime license for the Desktop version only. The Smartphone/Tablet/Chromebook license is only offered on a monthly plan, and no lifetime license is available for those devices.

There are many things you should consider when it comes to licensing, especially if you are on a budget. Here is everything you need to know about Clip Studio Paint and other programs that you can use for your graphic designs.

Does A Clip Studio Paint License Last Forever?

The quick answer is: yes for the desktop version, no for all other devices. Here is a breakdown of how much Clip Paint Pro cost on each device:

Desktop:

Clip Studio Paint Pro: $49.99 lifetime plan or $4.49 per month

Clip Studio Paint Ex: $219.99 lifetime plan or $8.99 per month

Tablet/Chromebook:

Clip Studio Paint Pro: $4.49 per month

Clip Studio Paint Ex: $8.99 per month

Smartphone:

Clip Studio Paint Pro: $0.99 per month

Clip Studio Paint Ex: $2.49 per month

Clip Studio Paint Pro vs. Clip Studio Paint Ex

Let’s compare the 2 paid plans side by side. If you decide to go with the Ex, you will be paying almost $200 more. Look at the chart below to see the difference between Pro versus the Ex and what features you will get:

Paint Pro

Paint Ex

1. Single page illustrations. 2. 24 frames for gifs and short animations. 3. Customizable pen and brush tools. 4. Vector layers. 5. 10,000 free downloadable content. 6. 3D models 7. PSD compatibility 8. RGB and CMYK compatible with iOS and Windows systems. 9. Free technical support. 10. Free web services

1. Multi-page comics, manga, and illustrations. 2. Unlimited frames for professional animation. 3. Customizable pen and brush tools. 4. Vector layers. 5. 10,000 free downloadable content. 6. 3D models and drawing figures. 7. PSD compatibility. 8. RGB and CMYK compatible with iOS and Windows. 9. Export and print multi-page files. 10. Convert images and 3D models into lines and dot shading. 11. Free technical support. 12. Free web services and community access.

Alternatives To Clip Studio Paint

You don’t have to stick with Clip Studio Paint if you don’t want to. Understand, though, that many of Clip Studio’s features are great for the price. Here are some alternatives you can pick:

• Free software
• Buy from someone else
• Other affordable programs
• Professional programs

Free Software

There are many free trials or free versions of many paid programs. If you want, you can always sign up for a free trial and decide later on that you don’t want to use it. Even Clip Studio Paint offers a three-month trial.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of signing up for a free trial every few months, you can get a few free programs. One of the best options is Krita. It allows you to work on your digital art while getting some of the features that other paid software offers.

Krita is founded by artists, and so you get many free tools. This program is great for artists that are just starting. There are features and such that you can buy within the program, but you don’t have to pay to use the program.

Buy From Someone Else

If you just need one piece of graphic design, and you can buy cheap and affordable products on marketplaces. Graphic Designers sell templates, designs, and more so that you don’t have to. Places like Placeit.net can give you what you want without purchasing a program.

Other Affordable Programs

There are many other affordable software programs that you can invest in. Some of these programs include the following:

• Procreate
• Adobe Illustrator
• CorelDRAW

These are great affordable programs that offer different features than Clip Studio Paint. Procreate is only available for iOS devices, so if you are looking for a PC or Windows computer, you will not be able to download this program.

Professional Programs

One of the best overall professional programs you can invest in is Adobe Photoshop. If you plan on graphic designing as your profession, this one is a great option. It provides many professional tools and features that the other software doesn’t have.

Many artists and companies have recommended this program. It has a wonderful layering tool and is quite versatile. It also has a free version that you can try out to see if this program is for you. 

Outro

Any program you invest in, the license will end. Clip Studio Paint offers great affordable software for up-and-coming graphic designers. But don’t fret. There are many alternatives to Clip Studio Paint if it is not for you. You can even try out many before committing to one.

Photoshop is one-of-a-kind graphics and creative design software. You can use it to manipulate digital art or create creative art based on your creativity. With so many functions available, the software is resource heavy and only functions to its fullest potential when installed on a powerful computer. However, how much RAM is enough for Photoshop? Is 8GB sufficient?

8GB ram is more than enough to run and maintain Photoshop software without experiencing any glitching or experiencing a malfunction. It’s also enough to multitask and open different software while working on Photoshop.

That’s not all, as you still need to know how much RAM Photoshop uses, whether RAM speed matters to Photoshop and how to increase RAM allocation for Photoshop, which you will learn if you read on.

Is 8GB RAM Enough for Photoshop?

Photoshop is resource-heavy, meaning it utilizes much of your computer’s RAM. It’s designed this way, given the functions it carries out. If you want to tap into the software’s full potential, then you need an equally powerful computer. An 8GB RAM computer is more than enough to run Photoshop without experiencing lag time or any malfunction.

With 8GB RAM, you’re guaranteed Photoshop will perform at its highest potential while still remaining with enough resources to run other apps and perform other tasks simultaneously. It also means you’ll utilize all Photoshop’s features and load the plug-ins without worrying about the software crashing. Additionally, the RAM allows you to perform complex tasks with the software, allowing you to deploy the full capabilities of Photoshop.

Here’s what you can do with Photoshop on an 8GB RAM:

• Work on complex projects like webpages and landing pages
• Create media-rich content
• Edit videos

Remember that the operating system (OS) utilizes around 2GB of RAM, which means you’re left with 6GB to divide between other apps and Photoshop.

How Much RAM does Photoshop Use?

Photoshop will use 70% of the RAM by default, leaving you with 30% to allocate to other apps and operations. It could require even more, especially when working on complex projects, such as adding videos and photos to a project.

Looking at these figures shows why having a huge RAM is critical to any Photoshop project. Besides working well with Photoshop, you can still manage to work on other software that comes in handy with creative designing alongside Photoshop.

Does RAM Speed Matter to Photoshop?

Speed is crucial when working with Photoshop as it allows you to work on the designs and complete the projects on time. There’s also the issue of rendering, which takes up much resources and time to accomplish.

With a powerful RAM, you can work on different projects, including resource-intensive ones, and not be bothered by the rendering speed or load-up time. Attempting to run Photoshop on a weaker RAM would result in other applications failing or Photoshop crashing mid-work. It also increases the workload and time to work on media-rich projects, which might cost you in the long run.

When using too much RAM, the computer is forced to utilize its hard disc, which takes time to access and transfer information. In the end, you’re left with a slower computer that ends up frustrating and taking much of your time.

Is it Possible to Upgrade your RAM?

Computers come equipped with RAM sticks which you can remove and replace. If you have a 4GB RAM computer, there are chances it has two RAM sticks of 2GB. Replacing these with a pair of 4GB RAM sticks could help. You can also upgrade the 8GB RAM to 16GB by replacing the sticks, allowing you more memory space to run different software.

How to Increase RAM Allocation for Photoshop

If for some reason, you want Photoshop to access more RAM space, there’s a way to increase this, but you’ll have to know your way around the software. This is how you do it:

1. Open Photoshop
2. Navigate to Edit and choose Preference
3. Scroll down to Performance and locate Memory Usage
4. Under ‘Let Photoshop Use, ’ increase the value in increments of 5%
5. Restart Photoshop for settings to reflect

Note: Don’t go above 85%, as doing so will deprive other essential system applications of enough memory to run.  

Outro

Photoshop is an impressive media editing software that requires a lot of resources, especially computer memory, to function properly. An 8GB RAM is more than enough for the software to function at its full capacity without experiencing any lags or crashing. The software uses 70% of the RAM, and you can increase the memory allocation if that’s not enough. You can also upgrade the RAM by replacing the existing sticks with new ones.

For those seeking a graphic design software that uses less RAM, consider Placeit.net because it’s web-based so it uses very little device resources.

Having access to InDesign is essential for graphics designers and business owners worldwide, as it is one of the leading publishing and page layout software currently on the market. Not only is access itself crucial, but convenience as well, which is why many InDesign users want to know if they can use this software nearly anywhere with the help of the iPad or iPad Pro.

No; Adobe InDesign is not currently compatible on the iPad or iPad Pro. Despite the presence of other Adobe applications, such as Photoshop Express for iPad Pros, InDesign has yet to be added to the Apple App store for a multitude of reasons.

In this article, we will discuss why Adobe has not added InDesign to the Apple App store for download on the iPad and iPad Pro and whether it is likely the application will be added in the near future. As you read, you’ll also learn our top recommendations for alternative InDesign applications you can download and use on your iPad and/or iPad Pro.

» MORE: Is Adobe InDesign Worth the Cost?

Why Isn’t Adobe InDesign Accessible for iPad and iPad Pro?

It wouldn’t be unrealistic to say that a significant number of people have been hoping for InDesign to be accessible on iPads since their initial release in 2010, and those numbers have only increased over the past decade or so.

Unfortunately, Adobe’s vastly popular InDesign software has yet to make its appearance in the Apple app store, and after waiting so long with bated breath, people want to know why.

The most likely reason why InDesign is not accessible for the iPad or iPad Pro is that these devices aren’t built to handle the software’s exceptionally sizeable and demanding tasks. The reduced size and tablet design of these Apple products that makes them so convenient also costs them when it comes to system specs.  

The first issue here is that Apple’s iPads both utilize an iOS operating system, while Adobe InDesign only runs on Windows or macOS systems. Therefore, if you truly want to run InDesign on a portable device, you’ll need to trade in your iPad/iPad Pro for a laptop or MacBook.

Even then, your device of choice would need to meet or exceed the system requirements listed below, as dictated by Adobe for InDesign.

Though Apple’s newest model, the iPad Pro, nears some of these system specs, it still falls short on nearly every account, demonstrating that iPads and other tablet devices aren’t capable or running demanding application like Adobe InDesign smoothly.

» MORE: Do You Need an iPad for Graphic Design? [A Simple Answer]

Will Adobe Ever Add InDesign to the Apple App Store?

After seeing how much technology has advanced in the past decade alone, it’s understandable why many iPad lovers continue to be patient in hopes that one day it will pay off and Apple will create an iPad that can handle InDesign sufficiently enough for Adobe to make it accessible.

While it’s certainly possible that such an iPad could some day exist, the odds of InDesign being added to the Apple store in the near future is highly unlikely.

There has been no mention from Adobe that it intends to make an iPad-friendly InDesign application. In fact, the Adobe application most similar to InDesign, Adobe Comp, was recently discontinued in February 2022 and removed from the Apple app store.

So, if you’re truly intent on using InDesign on-the-go, you’re better off investing in a different device or otherwise opting for an InDesign alternative currently available in the Apple app store.

InDesign Alternatives Available for iPad/iPad Pro

If you’re a die-hard InDesign user who has yet to obtain a portable device, we would highly recommend you look into a laptop or MacBook that has the necessary specifications to run the software efficiently.

However, if you already have an iPad or iPad Pro and desperately need a publishing and page layout application comparable to InDesign that you can find in the Apple app store, here are some top recommendations:

• Creative Cloud/ Creative Cloud Express (recommended by Adobe after ending Adobe Comp)
• Illustrator (recommended by Adobe after ending Adobe Comp)
• Placeit.net (new but worth exploring)
• Canva
• Desygner
• Trello
• Procreate
• Pages

Most of these apps don’t have the same scope of features and capabilities as InDesign, but with some practice, they can certainly suffice for getting ideas down and creating a rough mock-up made when you’re out and about.

You can also use multiple apps for various needs, depending on their strengths. One might be superior for page layouts while another gives you an array of fonts, images, or animations to use. Then, you can put it all together on a separate device, such as a work or home desktop computer, if that’s an option for you.

» MORE: Can You Use InDesign Without Creative Cloud?

Final Thoughts

Apple’s various iPad and iPad pros have become favored devices for their convenience, but as we mentioned previously, what makes them so convenient, as well as other tablet-like devices, is why they aren’t capable of running Adobe InDesign even if it was available in the Apple app store.

Sadly, if you purchased an iPad/iPad Pro specifically for this task, you’ve made a grave mistake and will either need to purchase a separate device to run InDesign or opt for one or more of the alternative Apple applications mentioned above.

Whether you are an experienced artist or just starting, having the right tools for the job is paramount for success. If your chosen medium is painting, then having the right paint, brushes, and canvases are the building blocks for your success. With advances in technology, there are other ways to paint as well. One of those ways is digital painting.

Affinity Designer is better for painting than Affinity Photo. With Designer, it is more forgiving when you make a mistake, comes equipped with more tools to help your ideas come to life, and provides a more user-friendly experience. However, there are a few more things to note about these programs.

While digital painting is beginner-friendly and in many ways is easier to learn and make headway, as with traditional painting, having the right tools is important. Two well-known programs that many artists use are Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer. Both of these programs can be used for painting, but Affinity Designer is better suited for it. Read on to find out why.

Why Is Affinity Designer Better for Painting?

As mentioned already, both of these programs are great. They are both affordable and around the same price. They both produce professional-looking projects sure to satisfy yourself and your clients. However, when it comes to painting, Designer is the ideal program and we will explain why in more detail.

It Is Easier to Fix Mistakes with Designer than Photo

When you are creating, there are always going to be times when you do not like the way something turned out and you want to try something else without having to start the project from the beginning.

With Affinity Designer, you can press the Undo button as much as you need (up to 8,000 times if necessary) and save whatever you like. This saves time and frustration and helps you be more creative as you can adjust and tweak as you go.

With Affinity Photo, on the other hand, it is trickier to save your work. For example, if you used a filter and you adjusted it to certain settings, that will not carry on to any other slides. You will have to adjust manually each time. This can be time-consuming, and frustrating, which is not conducive to creativity.

Designer Has More Tools than Photo Does

Being able to have variety in an artwork is something that many people crave.

Designer has a variety of tools for you to work with to create exactly what you want. Not only can you switch between vector and raster mode, but once you are in those modes you can switch between vector inking and coloring in vector mode, or raster brushes, pixels, or Layers panel in raster mode.  

While Photo also has a variety of tools at its disposal, its focus tends to be more along the lines of editing photos or using different tools to remove parts of a picture that you do not like. It also has a feature where you can do text editing, directly editing, and decorating a text that has been imported. While these are both great tools and artistic in their own right, it is not quite the same.

Designer is Easier to Use than Photo

If you are going to be using a program for your artwork, then it must be easy to use and easy to learn.

Designer has an interface that is designed to be learned quickly. It also has a superzoom which makes it easy to focus on and perfect tiny details and an advanced grid which makes it easy to simplify and improves the accuracy of what you are making. Most importantly, it is easy to use on a tablet.

Photo, on the other hand, is more complicated if you are using it on a tablet. For one thing, the tilt and pressure may not always work or be as sensitive and responsive as they would be on Designer. Furthermore, there is a limited number of plug-ins that are compatible with the program, which makes being creative a trickier process.

Conclusion

Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo are both great programs that are affordable and can help you produce high-quality work. Both of them can even be used for painting, however, Affinity is better for Painting for several reasons. It is easier to use. Its interface has a more natural feel to it, so you can get used to it faster. It has more tools that can enhance painting than Photo does. Some of them include using raster brushes, pixels, or the Layers panel. Finally, Designer is designed in such a way that it is easy to fix mistakes with the ability to undo up to 8,000 times.

Picking a new drawing tablet pen can be trickier than it seems at first. With so many different options and types of stylus pen, it’s understandable you might have a lot of questions. One of the foremost of these, is whether all of these different types of drawing tablet pens are universal or not? Can you use any of them or do you need a specific type?

Drawing tablet pens are not universal. There are certain types like capacitive stylus’ that work with most tablets, however, there are others like Wacom pens that need a specific type of tablet to work. The kind of tablet you have and how you want to use the pen will determine the type for you. 

If you’re looking for a new drawing tablet pen but you’re not sure what kind to get, we’ve got you covered. In our guide below, we will break down why you can’t just use any stylus with any tablet, before jumping into which types of pens are universal and which are not. By the end of this article you should be one step closer to picking the one perfect for your needs. 

Does a Stylus Pen Work On Any Tablet?

Even if some of the more advanced options are specific to certain types of tablets, you may wonder if a regular old stylus pen will work on any tablet? Fortunately, we have the answer. 

A random stylus pen will not work on all tablets no matter what type it is. Some types of stylus pens like capacitive stylus will work on most standard tablets, however, even they won’t work on a lot of drawing tablets. With drawing tablets you will often need to find a digital stylus that matches the type of tablet you have. 

For example, a Wacom tablet will need a Wacom digitizer. Fortunately, if you know what to look for you can find the right one for you. In the next section we will take a deep dive into the different types of drawing tablet pens and figure out which ones are compatible with your device. 

Types of Drawing Tablet Pens and Compatibility

With all the different types of drawing tablet pens out there, it can be hard to know which is compatible with your specific tablet. Depending on the tablet you have and the programs you use, you may only have one option or multiple. 

Below we’ve outlined the major types of drawing tablet pens/stylus so you can pick the one that is compatible with your device and best fits your needs:  

• Capacitive drawing pen/stylus: These pens tend to work with any type of screen you can simply touch and manipulate with your fingers. They are really the most basic type of stylus, relying on the electrostatic field of the screen to manipulate what is happening on it. However, they are the worst for drawing as they aren’t pressure sensitive, which makes them less precise.
• Bluetooth drawing pen/stylus: Bluetooth stylus can work with almost any tablet that has bluetooth capabilities. Still, they can only work within apps and programs that are already designed to pick up their signals. If you confirm your compatibility beforehand, these are a great stylus option.
• Wacom digitizer: Wacom digitizers are the best option for drawing tablets hands down. They are pressure sensitive, specifically designed for artistic projects and can function without any extra electronics like bluetooth stylus. The only problem is they are only compatible with high end drawing tablets. If you have one, this is the way to go, just keep in mind they are the larger than a stylus, so you will have a bigger setup.

Overall, Wacom digitizers are probably going to be your best bet if you’re using a drawing tablet. Still, you will want to make sure that you look up the compatibility specific to your device before purchasing one as they can be pricey. 

So Really, Are Drawing Tablet Pens Universal?

At the end of the day, drawing tablet pens are not universal. There are certain types of stylus that can be used on most tablets, however, they may not be the best suited to drawing. Additionally, there are options like the bluetooth stylus that can work great but require that you have compatible programs. 

Really, the best kind of drawing tablet pen for art work is probably the Wacom digitizer. That’s because it is pressure sensitive, designed for drawing and doesn’t require extra programs or batteries to work. Still, you should always check the specific compatibility of your device before selecting a stylus. 

Adobe InDesign offers some of the most cutting-edge features when it comes to designing pamphlets, brochures, newspapers, and more. Still, what if you’d like to use brushes in InDesign similarly to the way you would use them in a program like Illustrator. With some interesting brush art, you could really bring your next project alive. So, can you use brushes in InDesign? 

You can’t directly use brushes in InDesign, however, there is a way to make brush-like strokes in the program. Alternatively, you can always create your brush art in Illustrator and then import it into InDesign. Still, there is also a pencil tool that can be used for creating basic lines. 

If you’d like to spice up your next InDesign project with some brush strokes but you’re not sure if you even can, we’ve got you covered. In our guide below we will first address how brushes can/can’t be used in InDesign, as well as what their limits are. We will even go further to walk you through multiple methods to get brush strokes in your project. So let’s dive right in!

Can You Do Brush Strokes in InDesign

As we stated in the intro there isn’t an official way to use brush strokes in InDesign. Still, there are a couple of ways around this problem where you can either have brush art imported or you can use the strokes feature to create something akin to brush strokes in InDesign.

Below we’ve outlined two of the best ways to get brush strokes into your InDesign project despite its lack of brush tools:

• Create your brush art in Illustrator first: If you also have Illustrator, the best option would probably be to create your brush art in it and then copy it into your InDesign project. Once it’s in your project you can colorize them differently and even stretch the lines however you want. We will dive into how to do this in the next section. 
• Use InDesign’s Built-in Stroke Designer: This option is a little less flexible than the last one, however, it is great for creating simple brush-like strokes that can really make your project pop. After we explain how to use Illustrator for your brush art, we will dive into this option as well. 

Both of these two options have their pros and cons. With the InDesigns Stroke Designer, your options are more limited to simple brush-like art, however, you don’t need any extra programs to do it. With Illustrator you have way more options, however, you also have to have both programs. 

How to Use Brush Art from Illustrator in InDesign

So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How exactly do you go about using brush art from Illustrator in InDesign?

The following steps will guide you on the basics of how you can make brush art in Illustrator and then use it in InDesign: 

1. Open Illustrator and go to the brushes menu: You can get to the brushes menu by going to the “Window” tab in the taskbar and selecting brushes. 
2. Open the brush library: Once you have opened the brushes panel look in the top right of it and click on “Menu”. From the menu screen, you can select “Open Brush Library.” 
3. Select your brush: From here it’s really up to you what kind of brush you select. Most people like to go with the brushes labeled under “Artistic” for these kinds of projects. 
4. Use Illustrators tools to create the artwork: Now just use whatever tools you need to create your particular piece. These tools could include the pencil, pen tool, curvature tool, and more. 
5. Simply copy and paste your work into InDesign: Once your brush art is created you can simply copy and paste it into your InDesign project. 

It’s as simple as that. Once your brush art is in InDesign you’ll be able to make further edits like resizing, stretching, and colorizing. 

How to Use Brush Like Strokes in InDesign

Your other option is to take advantage of InDesign’s built-in stroke designer. While this is a limited option it can still be quite useful for simple designs

You will just need to create a line and set it as the default stroke. To do so you can simply tap D on the keyboard after the line is made, while it is selected. You can also create shapes that this stroke design will be used for.  

From there you can use the stroke styles to create convincing brush-like designs that will fit perfectly into your project. It would be a good idea to watch someone do this with their own design before you try it as the steps can vary greatly depending on what you’re trying to make specifically. 

So Really, Can You Use Brushes in InDesign?

The answer to this question is a bit of yes and a bit of no. The truth is you can either create strokes similar to brushes in InDesign itself or you can use another program like Illustrator to create brush art that you then import. 

If you import your brush art, what you can do with it is a little limited however, most of the heavy lifting should be done in Illustrator anyway. Within InDesign, you can stretch lines and re-colorize things however you want. So which option sounds best to you?

There’s not much design software out there that can compare to InDesign. With it, you can create picture-perfect brochures, pamphlets, newspapers, and more. Still, that doesn’t mean the software can’t sometimes have its problems. One of the most common is when users can’t move objects with their mouse anymore. Why exactly does that happen and how do you fix it?

The most common reasons users can’t move objects with their mouse in InDesign is that too much memory has been taken up or the user is trying to drag an empty polygon. Depending on the cause, you will likely either have to restart the software or use techniques to move empty polygons.  

If you’re having trouble getting Adobe InDesign to respond to your mouse clicks and you can no longer move objects around, then this is for you. In our guide below we will discuss what causes this issue as well as what exactly you can do about it. In fact, we will even provide a list of options to help you overcome this issue. So come along and let’s dive right in!

Why Can’t I Move Objects in InDesign?

As we alluded to above, there are a couple of different reasons that might explain why you can’t move objects in InDesign. 

Below we break down the three biggest causes of this issue and how they manifest so you can know which problem you’re having: 

1. Memory issues: Sometimes when the working memory of your computer is choked up with too many programs and windows open, it can cause InDesign to freeze up on some of its features like the ability to drag objects. This is more likely to be your problem if you can’t drag anything–not just empty polygons.
2. Empty polygons: In older versions of InDesign, you were unable to move empty polygons simply by clicking on them anywhere and dragging them. Instead, you would have to click either on their edge or direct center to be able to move them. This is almost certainly your problem if it’s only empty polygons you can’t move. 
3. Preferences need reset: Sometimes errors can happen in the preference files that cause you not to be able to move objects the way you normally would. This is likely the issue if you’ve already made sure it wasn’t the memory issue or the empty polygon issue. 

Fortunately for you, all three of these issues are relatively painless and straightforward to deal with. In our next section, we will break down the solution to each issue so you can know exactly what to do. 

How Do You Move an Object Freely in InDesign? 

So onto the main event. How exactly are we to solve this problem and make it so that you can once again move objects freely in InDesign? 

Below we’ve laid out four solutions–starting with the simplest first–that should allow you to once again freely move objects in InDesign: 

1. Reset the software and close all other programs: Often those of us who enjoy design like to run multiple programs at once. In one window you might have InDesign while in another you may have the excellent Placeit for further tools. Still, this can choke up your memory and cause this issue. Simply reset the software and close other programs. 
2. Click the edge or center to move empty polygons: This is a solution if your problem is just with empty polygons. In some versions of InDesign you would have to click either the edge or centermost point to move it.  
3. Update the software: You can also solve the empty polygon problem by making sure that everything is updated. 
4. Reset your preferences: If none of the other solutions worked this is almost certainly the problem. As the program boots up you simply need to hold down Shift, Alt, Command, and Ctrl simultaneously, then click yes when prompted to delete preference files. The program should restart and the problem should be resolved. 

Most of the time, simply restarting the program will solve the issue. Still, now you’ve got a few extra tools in your toolbelt in case the problem happens to be a less common one. 

So Really, Why Can’t I Move Objects in InDesign?

At the end of the day, there really isn’t just one reason why you might have trouble moving objects in InDesign. It could be anything from your memory getting choked to your preference files being on the fritz. 

Whichever your problem happens to be the solution is probably pretty straightforward. Whether you simply have to reset the program or go as far as resetting your preference files, it should be a quick and easy process. Best of luck!

Vector images contain paths and line art that can be edited and changed in many possible ways. There are so many things you can create through these images. But do they allow fonts to be placed in them?

Vector images allow fonts to be placed on them. In fact, almost all fonts, if not all, can be placed on a vector image. They can be resized and rescaled without the fonts becoming blurry or obscured.

Vector layers provide so many things you can do with your fonts. Continue reading to see how to create fonts on your vector images and what you can do with them.

Do Vector Images Permit Fonts?

They sure do. You can create all sorts of fonts on a vector image without compromising the quality of the font. The words and letters don’t become blurry when you make them larger or smaller. 

Most if not all fonts within a software program are based within the vector layer, so you can make these edits with no problem. For all fonts, software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.

How To Create Fonts On A Vector Image

How to create a font in a vector layer is not a difficult process, but it is different for each program. You may have to do a few extra steps in one program, while there is a quick shortcut in another. But the basics to finding the fonts are within your program’s menu. Here are some steps:

1. Create a new project.
2. You can either create a new vector layer or go straight to inserting a font (at which it will automatically create a new layer).
3. Find “fonts” in your menu settings.
4. Pick out the font you want to add.
5. Type out the text.
6. Click on any other edits, whether you want it to have shadowing, highlights, colors, etc.
7. Size the text to what you want.
8. Place the text where you want.

Remember that each software program is different so these steps may vary. Play around with your fonts to see everything you can do with your texts. You can even download new styles of texts and fonts into your program.

When Should You Use Vector Over Raster For Fonts?

When working in your digital image software, you will set that you can choose between vector or raster. When working with fonts, you should always use vectors before using raster. Raster images don’t give you the freedom and quality of vector layers.

Here are the many reasons why vector images should be used over raster images when you are creating fonts within your design:

• Vector images provide unlimited capabilities.
• Raster images have a limited amount of pixels.
• Editing is easier in vector images than in raster images.
• Changing the quality of your fonts is better.
• You don’t lose quality when you change the size of the fonts in vector.
• Raster images can become grainy, and the quality can go down.
• You can change the sizes to fit all types of things in vector images.

It is best to make any type of logo or anything with text in vector images. This will allow you to format it on anything like pens, pencils, cups, canvases, and more. You don’t have to worry about your image becoming disoriented.

Best Software To Use Vector Images

There are a lot of software programs out there you can use. You can go for something a little more professional with Adobe Photoshop, or you can go with something a little more affordable like Clip Studio Paint. They all offer great options using vector layers.

Adobe Illustrator is a great option if you are looking for the most out of editing your vector images with texts and fonts. It is affordable and offers a comprehensive library of clip art that you can use to help create your logos and designs. 

Purchasing Fonts And Designs

If fonts seem to be a hassle for you, or you just don’t find anything that seems to fit your image, you can download fonts and designs. There are many platforms that will give you templates so that you can use them instead of starting from scratch. 

Outro

Vector images allow you to do so much when it comes to making logos, designs, and other art. You can create things with texts, fonts, and so much more. The capabilities to create whatever you want to seem to be endless. Using vectors images is a great option to choose from.

Gradients are a staple in design and especially when done well, they can provide a striking effect. There are a number of different ways to incorporate gradients into your designs and InDesign is no different. While there are plenty of InDesign plugins that can help you achieve the look you want, sometimes you need to do things the old-fashioned way.

To change a color of a gradient in InDesign, the easiest way is using the Gradient Panel. Try dragging a swatch from this area to the gradient color stop to swap. You can also adjust settings to shift color.

The following article will teach you how to get the most out of InDesign by correcting InDesign’s color gradient issue. Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through the process step by step so that you can get the look you want in no time.

How to Change a Gradient Color in InDesign?

 This article is the ultimate guide on how to change a gradient into a different color. It will help you to fix InDesign’s gradient color issue easily and quickly. Follow these steps:

1. Open your file
2. Choose the Gradient Tool
3. Adjust Gradient settings
4. Apply Gradient

Adjust your Gradient Settings in InDesign

The easiest way to do this is to use the Gradient panel. The Gradient panel is a separate panel that appears between the Swatches and Type panels. To access the Gradient panel, click on the drop-down menu icon in the top left corner of your document window. Select “Gradient” from the menu, then select your gradient from the list.

Next, click on “Color” in the top right corner of your document window and choose a different color for your gradient. Here are some quick tips for changing colors. Be sure to change one color at a time so that you can see how each change affects your gradient.

If you make changes to more than one color at a time, it may be difficult to see how they affect your gradient. If you want to change multiple colors at once, you will need to use a combination of tools.

Select all or part of your gradient by clicking anywhere inside it with the Selection tool. Select the Gradient tool from the Tools panel and click anywhere inside your gradient to select it. Change your color by clicking on the gradient with the Gradient tool.

Apply Color Change in InDesign to Gradient

Press “Enter” on your keyboard to apply the settings. The gradient will replace the color you used in the first place and it will start changing color at one point and work its way through the document. Note that if you are using a JPEG image with a lot of color variation, then InDesign may not have enough dynamic range to show all of it.

This is because when you use gradients, they are limited to 16 colors or 256 shades of gray and InDesign uses only 16 colors or 256 shades of gray for each pixel in your document.

This is why if you have a lot of color variation (e.g., different hues for each pixel) then you may see some areas where the gradient does not change from one point to another because those areas are outside of the 256 color range that InDesign supports for gradients.

If this happens, then try using a Bicubic gradient instead because those gradients have more colors in the gradient.

How to Set up a Basic Color Gradient

To get a basic understanding of how to set up a color gradient in InDesign, let’s create a simple example. We’ll use a warm color for the top half of our page and a cool color for the bottom half. We’ll also use a light blue for the header, the footer, and any other background containers.

The header and the footer are also shadowed, and so are any other containers that will receive the majority of the page’s content. To create our basic color gradient, double-click the Background color in the Color section of the Options bar, and then click on the Gradient button in the top-right corner. From there, you can set up the following options:

Different Methods for Applying InDesign Gradients

There are a number of different ways to go about this. We’ll begin with the easiest method of all.

To achieve a very basic color gradient, all you have to do is type something into the Gradient field, and then press Enter. This will create a color gradient that is quite simple.

If you want to create a more intricate color gradient, there are a few different methods that you can use.

Type the color of your choice into the color picker and then click on the Options button at the bottom of the picker. From there, you can choose from a variety of different effects, from changing the color completely to a luminosity adjustment.

How Do You Reset Gradients in InDesign?

If you have just created a gradient and are not happy with the results, you can always reset your gradient. You can do this by simply clicking on the Gradient tool in the top toolbar and then clicking on the gradient icon.

Alternatively, if you have already made a gradient, but want to reset it, simply click on the gradient icon in the Options bar and then click on either Cancel or Reset. This will remove all of your settings for that particular gradient.

InDesign has two different ways of creating gradients: linear and radial gradients. A linear gradient is made up of straight lines that change color from one end to another; a radial gradient is made up of circular shapes with different colors in them; both types of gradients can be applied to text or other objects in your document.

Why Is My Gradient Tool Only Black and White?

When you create a gradient, you can choose from a variety of different colors. The default, however, is black and white. If you want to change the color of your gradient, hold down the key and click on the Gradient tool in the Tools panel. Click on either Black or White and then click on OK.

Why Does My Gradient Keep Changing?

You can control how many colors are used in your gradient by using the Gradient slider in the Options bar. If you want to use more than two colors, simply drag it left or right until it looks like what you want.

As mentioned earlier, if there are more than two colors used in your gradient, then it will not look nice because there will be too many different gradients being applied at once; that is why it sometimes appears as though your gradient keeps changing when you change the number of colors used. You can try using less colors to see if this makes a difference; if not, then you’ll have to experiment with the gradient slider in the Options bar.

Conclusion

InDesign is not always the most easy to use when creating a design, but can create wonderful graphics for your needs. If you get stuck, you can always use Placeit.net for fast, quality graphic creation. However, if you need a fix for your gradient color issue, this step by step guide will help you.