Astute Graphics Avis 533

Astute Graphics tools will save you a LOT of time. When you give them a try, you come to realize how a native tools should have functioned.

I've used astute for years through my old job, and I love the functionalities so much I brought it to my new team!

After purchasing and using the plugins, I have observed that the AG ecosystem works well overall. The plugins are definitely helpful and function as advertised. They won't miraculously transform your workflow by themselves, but significantly simplify some actions or repairs that would be difficult to perform with the built in tools (e.g., the path extension tool is great).

I only gave 3 stars because I had a poor experience with their free 7 day trial period. Somehow during the setup, the trial license got activated twice, which invalidated it. Tech support responded that the only resolution was to purchase the plugins, which was obviously irritating and diminished their technical credibility, IMO.

I have used Illustrator, and Astute's Illustrator plugins, on and off the last 11 years, and I must say I prefer the new subscription model far better than how it used to be. Because Illustrator constantly changes, so they too need to be changed regularly, and if you use the plugins frequently, it becomes far cheaper and easier than having to upgrade, and you don't have to hold off on upgrading Illustrator because of compatibility issues with the version of Astute you have.

That said, there is a big caveat that I feel needs to be addressed: one should not get the Astute plugins as a substitute before first learning the possibilities and limitations of Illustrator itself; when I first got them, I was used to a different vector program, and so Astute made the transition easier, but it also became something that actually prevented me from learning how to use Adobe's flagship design software properly.

So, my advice to anyone considering Astute, I would recommend first familiarising themselves so well with how Illustrator works without these plugins that you will fully appreciate what you can one day do with them, both to speed up your workflow and add to your creative possibilities.

At the moment, I am using Illustrator entirely without Astute, trying to streamline my workflow, learning new keyboard shortcuts, creating actions with their own shortcut keys, and I have decided that I will get Astute again only after having spent a few hundred hours working on relatively complex projects without, emerging with a stronger sense of when vanilla Illustrator is holding me back from my creative vision.

While I know Astute would have been able to save me a few days' work of that time, in the long run I will understand and appreciate better both Illustrator on its own, and the unique things Astute adds to it.

If my work still sees me using Illustrator several hours every day as it does right now, it won't be long until I subscribe again, and this time I will use it even more and feel I get even more value for my money.

Simplicity. Ease. Actions that would take me a half hour can be done with a simple “click”!
Great stuff. Very user specific.

This rating is not about the plugins themselves (which I know are great). The rating is because I don't think they do a good enough job of providing just basic "how to" use videos for all their tools (or at least not making the availability of such videos/tutorials more prominent to their users). Often you see Astute Graphics promoting on social media the amazing art/design done with these tools (and they are amazing), however, I do not care about that nearly as much as I do care about just learning and understanding the basics of how to use their wide range of Adobe Illustrator plugin tools. Often, I just go back to using Illustrator's tools because I can't figure out how to use their plugin tool (or easily find a simple how-to video) that's supposed to make my art/design experience so much better.

Who has been in the world of graphic design since the 80s, knows how important the appearance of Illustrator was, which transformed the graphics industry. Always evolving, there is an important milestone in its history, which was the appearance of Astute Graphics plugins, so addictive, productive and creative. Thanks to whoever creates them in the shadow! Best Regards, Manuel.

Love all the plug-ins. But difficult to use illustrator without them, once you're hooked :-)

It was easy to download and the download worked.

Perfectly crafted plugins, works flawlessly

Excellent! just wat I need

This is one of my main power tools for Illustrator… and it works. Astute Graphics plugins are a time saver and lifesaver for Designer that use Illustrator. Some things it's just easier, some things are now possible thanks to these plugins.
It's an excellent investment for any designer.

Because I hate subscriptions. I loathe subscriptions. I don’t use this software every day and I used to buy it every couple of years to keep up. Now I pay for it every single day whether I use it or not, which is great for you, but lousy for me.

Astute Graphics plug-ins are an essential part of my work with Adobe Illustrator. I convinced my employer to purchase a site license so that my colleagues could turbocharge their vector work. I cannot stress this word enough — ESSENTIAL.

After updating Adobe Illustrator and the new AG manager, none of the AG plug-ins came in. One quick email to the support team and the issue was resolved. This company is awesome!

Great plugins that makes me get the best workflow possible! Just to say that it would be nice to have a manual when purchased and also in spanish language as we are also users of Illustrator.