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Outis · 07-28-2016, 06:11 AM

I just searched B&H, Adorama, Amazon, and NewEgg, and I couldn't see any way to outright buy a copy of Adobe Illustrator. Is there still any way to do this? Subscribing to CreativeCloud is out for me, since I'm doing this work on a grant which runs out in a few months-- I won't have finished all the work before the grant runs out and I won't have a way to pay for the subscription any more. Alternately, do you know of any good alternatives, free or not?

rubenr · 07-28-2016, 06:22 AM

Doing a quick search on ebay, there are some copies of AI CS5 around $150.00 - Maybe if you look carefully, can find a better option

pid · 07-28-2016, 06:55 AM

as far as i know, you can book the creative Cloud also for single month.
As alternative to Illustrator take a look on Affinity Designer.

emalvick · 07-28-2016, 07:56 AM

Depending on your platform (Windows vs. Mac), I'd definitely look at getting a version like CS6 or CS5. Actually, the Affinity Designer is available as a beta for Windows right now (free) and is pretty cheap anyway. Corel I believe also has software that could work, and I think there are many alternatives if you look at some of the software meant for cartooning / comic book creation. It probably also depends on whether you already know Illustrator or not (that is ease of learning other programs). I believe they are conceptually all similar, but like the differences between Gimp and Photoshop, they aren't the same.

johnyates · 07-28-2016, 12:16 PM

Perhaps this will suit your needs:
https://inkscape.org/en/

Adam · 07-28-2016, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Outis

I just searched B&H, Adorama, Amazon, and NewEgg, and I couldn't see any way to outright buy a copy of Adobe Illustrator. Is there still any way to do this? Subscribing to CreativeCloud is out for me, since I'm doing this work on a grant which runs out in a few months-- I won't have finished all the work before the grant runs out and I won't have a way to pay for the subscription any more. Alternately, do you know of any good alternatives, free or not?

You can always prepay for your CC subscription. This would probably be cheaper than buying a physical copy of CS5 or CS6 on ebay.

Outis · 07-29-2016, 05:16 AM - **1 Like**

Prepaying a year still has a major problem: it expires in a year. I don't want to invest so much time and money learning a program (and developing important work-related things in what might be a proprietary image format) only to run the risk that the rug could be yanked out from under me at some point in the future if they jack up the prices or my financial situation changes drastically. It's the mechanics of the subscription model itself that I object to.

I decided to go with Inkscape-- so far it looks like it should meet my needs perfectly. Thanks!

**ashurbanipal** · 07-29-2016, 07:52 PM

I'd suggest looking into Inkscape or Krita.

**Aristophanes** · 08-02-2016, 04:02 AM

I use Graphic for vector. Easier to use and about as good.

https://graphic.com

07-28-2016, 06:11 AM	#1
Outis Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 935	Adobe Illustrator-- any way to buy a standalone copy? I just searched B&H, Adorama, Amazon, and NewEgg, and I couldn't see any way to outright buy a copy of Adobe Illustrator. Is there still any way to do this? Subscribing to CreativeCloud is out for me, since I'm doing this work on a grant which runs out in a few months-- I won't have finished all the work before the grant runs out and I won't have a way to pay for the subscription any more. Alternately, do you know of any good alternatives, free or not?

07-28-2016, 01:26 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Originally posted by Outis I just searched B&H, Adorama, Amazon, and NewEgg, and I couldn't see any way to outright buy a copy of Adobe Illustrator. Is there still any way to do this? Subscribing to CreativeCloud is out for me, since I'm doing this work on a grant which runs out in a few months-- I won't have finished all the work before the grant runs out and I won't have a way to pay for the subscription any more. Alternately, do you know of any good alternatives, free or not? You can always prepay for your CC subscription. This would probably be cheaper than buying a physical copy of CS5 or CS6 on ebay. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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07-28-2016, 06:22 AM	#2
rubenr Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Guatemala City Photos: Albums Posts: 337	Doing a quick search on ebay, there are some copies of AI CS5 around $150.00 - Maybe if you look carefully, can find a better option

07-28-2016, 06:55 AM	#3
pid Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 567	as far as i know, you can book the creative Cloud also for single month. As alternative to Illustrator take a look on Affinity Designer.

07-28-2016, 07:56 AM	#4
emalvick Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Davis, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,642	Depending on your platform (Windows vs. Mac), I'd definitely look at getting a version like CS6 or CS5. Actually, the Affinity Designer is available as a beta for Windows right now (free) and is pretty cheap anyway. Corel I believe also has software that could work, and I think there are many alternatives if you look at some of the software meant for cartooning / comic book creation. It probably also depends on whether you already know Illustrator or not (that is ease of learning other programs). I believe they are conceptually all similar, but like the differences between Gimp and Photoshop, they aren't the same.

07-28-2016, 12:16 PM	#5
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	Perhaps this will suit your needs: https://inkscape.org/en/

07-29-2016, 05:16 AM - 1 Like	#7
Outis Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 935 Original Poster	Prepaying a year still has a major problem: it expires in a year. I don't want to invest so much time and money learning a program (and developing important work-related things in what might be a proprietary image format) only to run the risk that the rug could be yanked out from under me at some point in the future if they jack up the prices or my financial situation changes drastically. It's the mechanics of the subscription model itself that I object to. I decided to go with Inkscape-- so far it looks like it should meet my needs perfectly. Thanks!

07-29-2016, 07:52 PM	#8
ashurbanipal Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 515	I'd suggest looking into Inkscape or Krita.

08-02-2016, 04:02 AM	#9
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	I use Graphic for vector. Easier to use and about as good. https://graphic.com

Adobe Illustrator-- any way to buy a standalone copy?

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