Adobe software list: Which apps do you need?

The Adobe software list is quite extensive, as expected given that the Creative Cloud package encompasses virtually all creative practises. If you are a graphic designer, web designer, photographer, artist, or marketing professional, or if you work in television or film, it contains the majority of the tools that your profession regards to be industry standard.

However, Adobe software typically requires a subscription. Potential users may subscribe to a single application, the Photography Plan, or the entire Creative Cloud suite (keep an eye out for an Adobe Creative Cloud discount). It is essential that you understand precisely what you're purchasing, as it is a significant investment. Despite the fact that there are over 50 apps in all, there are 13 that you must be aware of.

In this Adobe software list, we've compiled 13 exceptional applications and explained in clear language what they do and why you may require them. In addition, after you have registered, you can view our top Photoshop and Illustrator tutorials. If you are interested in video editing, you may also be interested in our list of the top video editing software.

Adobe software list

01. Adobe Photoshop

No one will be surprised by the first entry on Adobe's software list. Photoshop is the industry standard for picture editing; so much so that the term has become a verb. Photoshop is a fully-fledged graphics editor in addition to its photo-editing capabilities.

Photoshop(opens in new tab) can be utilised to edit and compose raster images, graphics, and text in several layers; edit and render text and vector graphics; and generate and edit 3D graphics and video. Photoshop is utilised not only by photographers and photo retouchers, but also by digital artists, graphic designers, art directors, and, increasingly, even by 3D designers and VFX artists due to its extensive variety of capabilities.

It is essential to know that Photoshop works with raster graphics, whereas Illustrator (below) works with vector graphics. Read our guide to common file formats to comprehend the distinctions between different file types.

02. Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator(opens in a new tab) is far more focused on specific tasks than Photoshop, which has expansive and expanding capabilities. It is primarily a vector graphics-based drawing application (which contain less detail than raster graphics and are infinitely scalable). Illustrator is utilised by artists, illustrators, and graphic designers to create everything from simple visuals, such as logos, icons, and infographics, to intricate illustrations, as well as everything else. Illustrator for iPad has also been released recently.

03. Adobe After Effects

After Effects(opens in new tab) is a popular application for visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing, making it a desirable addition to a list of Adobe applications. A creative company may use it to make short animations for websites, explainer videos, or credit sequences, for example, but not to construct a full-length film.

In the post-production process of cinema and television, After Effects is utilised for tasks such as keying, tracking, and compositing, as well as the creation of visual effects such as explosions and lightning strikes. In addition to being seamlessly linked with other Adobe applications, it also works well with Cinema 4D from Maxon. Consult our After Effects tutorials for assistance in mastering After Effects.

04. Adobe XD

Adobe XD(opens in new tab), introduced a few years ago as Adobe's competitor to Sketch, is a vector-based UX tool for developing online and mobile applications. In other words, you don't design the entire app in XD; rather, you use it for visualising the interface and describing how the various components function and relate to one another. This makes it easier to ensure everything is functioning properly prior to writing the final code. Note that the XD starting plan is free and does not require a Creative Cloud subscription. For more information on the free and paid versions, read our Adobe XD download post.

05. Adobe Substance

Adobe Substance(opens in new tab) incorporates the industry-standard Substance texturing software for 3D artists (bought by Adobe in 2019) into the Creative Cloud suite. The package consists of four 3D design applications (Painter, Sampler, Designer, and Stager) and a vast library of 3D elements. However, it is not included in the Creative Cloud All Apps plan, so you will need to purchase a separate subscription to fully utilise it.

06. Adobe InDesign CC

InDesign(opens in new tab) is a page layout application that is typically used for print, but has digital publishing features as well. It is the standard tool used by graphic designers and production artists in the publishing industry to make posters, flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, presentations, books, and ebooks.

Check out our InDesign tutorials to become an expert user of this application.

07. Adobe Lightroom

Lightroom(opens in a new tab) is a suite of image organisation and modification tools. Its primary strength lies in the former, and it is a useful tool for photo studios or photographers who must manage a big quantity of photographs. It lacks all of Photoshop's image editing features, but this makes for a simpler interface that is easier to use for routine chores.

Note that Lightroom's adjustments are never harmful. This means that the original image and any changes you've made to it are kept separately, making it easier to undo changes if things don't go as planned.

08. Adobe Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro(opens in new tab) is a complete video editing tool based on a visual timeline that is extensively used by the film and television industry, YouTubers, and marketing and design firms to edit everything from commercials and music videos to TV series and feature films. Recent new capabilities include Auto Reframe, which intelligently reframes your footage (keeping the action within the frame for varied aspect ratios) and the ability to snap graphic objects to guides, to one another, or to tracked things.

Premiere Pro is frequently used in conjunction with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as After Effects, Audition, and Photoshop. Adobe has recently developed Premier Rush, a lighter video editing product for novices and less experienced users, because Premiere Pro is a relatively difficult tool to master.

09. Adobe Spark

Adobe Spark(opens in new tab) is a package of applications for quickly and easily creating images, web pages, and short videos for social media. It is designed for marketing and social media experts, as well as amateurs and beginners who want to generate cool material for Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram but lack the time to learn more complex applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

10. Adobe Fresco

Adobe Fresco(opens in a new tab) is a digital art software that emulates the greatest features of other iPad fine art programmes. It blends the expressiveness and strength of Photoshop brushes with the accuracy of vector brushes. The Live Brush feature enables you to paint with watercolours and oils that bloom, blend, smear, and smudge identically to their real-world counterparts. Fresco features a straightforward and user-friendly interface that is suitable for both novices and experts, so you should try out this Adobe software list's top pick as soon as possible.

11. Adobe Rush

Adobe Premiere Rush(opens in new tab) is an all-in-one, cross-platform video editing application that efficiently processes and uploads video clips, making it perfect for social media content makers. The application enables video cropping, resizing, rotating, and colour correction, in addition to a variety of sound and sequence editing functions. All material is stored in the cloud, making it great for editing across various devices; there is also an auto-sync option, making it even simpler. Rush is meant to make it easy to edit and upload content immediately to social networking networks, thus it is not a heavy-duty application. However, its complete integration with Premiere Pro means that it is unnecessary.

12. Adobe Dimension

Adobe Dimension(opens in new tab) is a programme for mocking up, compositing, and creating photorealistic 3D pictures based on imported 2D and 3D models, photographs, and textures, including those from Adobe Stock. Graphic designers use it to generate product mockups, brand visualisations, and package designs, among other things. The primary benefit is the ability to create photographic-looking settings without needing to organise a photoshoot. Follow our article, Get started with Adobe Dimension CC, to learn how to utilise it.