Hi Everyone. We’re working on a project here at Core77, and one of the topics under discussion is creating a list of the most popular, most frequently used, most important design software among our audience. This is a very informal poll, but if people could list the three most frequently used software packages in their day-to-day job that would be very helpful.
Feel free to also add your thoughts on what sort of software you think people SHOULD be using, even if you’re not fortunate enough to use it yourself at your current job.
3D CAD - Creo Elements Direct Modeling - (Solidworks is more common in the industry though)
Rendering - Bunkspeed Pro (Keyshot also works)
2D Illustration - Illustrator/Photoshop
AutoCAD & Catia are common in aircraft/transportation industry
InDesign for presentations. However, businesses like PowerPoint for creating, sharing and modifying presentations.
Sketchbook Pro for digital sketching
3D - Alias Design
Rendering - Either Alias or Keyshot
2D work - Illustrator / Photoshop / InDesign
Sketching - Alias Design / Sketchbook Pro
Admin - Microsoft Office
Love that MM included the Snipping Tool, I use the hell out of that as well. When combined with cut-and-paste into Outlook its probably the most productive software I use.
For project management - especially for graphic design stuff we have been using Basecamp, which is a browser-based repository of all communication/images. So helpful and blows away traditional ‘email’ thread-based management of products.
Rhino for 3d modelling
V-Ray plug-in for rendering
Bongo plug-in for animation
T-Splines plug-in for organic modelling
Photoshop for image creation & editing
After Effects for compositing and video presentation
The most important design software is the one you customer uses. If you want an internship in Frace you better speak French. If you want to work at Harley Davidson or Kohler is would help if you spoke their language.