Legal schmegal.

i'm looking for an office copy. we don't have the luxury of stealing programs.

you could always use Rhinoceros instead ;)

Nope. It has to be Illustrator.

most universities allow you to purchase CS3 "design standard" edition (Photoshop, illustrator, indesign) for about $200, which is obviously way cheaper than the list price. If you're not a student though, that might not work.

Oh, you can also download the 30 day free trial version from Adobe. If you have multiple machines in your office then you can get 30 days on each (i.e. 4 machines = 120 days of illustrator!)

Outside of what Nicolas said, you need to pony up the cash. You might as well at least buy inDesign and Photoshop too. Adobe screws you if you just want to buy one app.

for an office there's no legal way to get adobe software for less than list, unless you can qualify for their volume pricing plan (not even sure it exists anymore though)

197 for a student price license....500+ for the cs3 suite
but you need to be either a student or faculty.....

but good price.....

Thats where I purchased my copy of Rhino Bundle Packagae for about 350 o so....anyways thats another story

what are the things you are doing that require you only use illustrator?

i could think gradient fills or that you are working with other people using illustrator files?

but if it is to edit a PDF, another good reason. i would suggest you look at Pitstop Pro it gives acrobat pro (given you have that or not) the ability to edit a PDF as well as Illustrator i find.

i am looking to make nice, vector based graphics with a program which can interpret files from autocad. i already have indesign, pagemaker, rhino, and photoshop. i want illustrator, and a legitimate, retail licensed copy at that. money is not an issue, i'd just like to see if it is available somewhere for cheaper than $599.

this is the cheapest i've been able to find it

http://www.saveintheusa.com/product.asp?pf_id=PG%2D26001648

but they don't answer their phone so God knows who they are.

Rhino can do that you already have at tool you need me thinks

even autocad can. just it doesn't have all the snazzy curve tools

who knows what??, are you getting and Wright on us ;)?

rhino can't interface with photoshop in the same way, can't link to images or create clipping masks, or draw line weights of any quality though

le bossman

exactly

if money is not an issue then pay the retail price, it is an expense...it is pretty simple.

not if it can be purchased for cheaper somewhere esle

it does line weights set PrintDisplay to ON
you just have to be creative create a solid hatch that has the color of the backround and a no print pen setting for a mask

for images use PictureFrame command.

i think you could make it work well for you, i have.

what is the purpose of linking the PS? if you had a image you made in PS and what it in Rhino as a picture frame that updates? that will work

this is how i use Rhino as Indesign all the time for tons of pagelayout and marketing design work, with pagelayouts

Nice.....Rhinocoeros 3d....

RhinoNect-Usergroup....................Go Anti

regardless of these facts, it is beside the point. i am buying illustrator. that is what the thread is about. besides, we have more or less depricated rhino, have only one seat, and hardly ever use it.

if you only need illustrator and are not planning to buy the entire Cs suite, I would suggest to get M-color instead.
it does the same thing as illustrator and works with cad - http://www.m-color.com/

ya i think not sticking with Adobe and searching alternatives is a good idea after trying CS4 beta last night, it is vista and 64 bit only.

i can remember a time when i was happy with windows 2000 and adobe pulled the same stunt to help MS sell there new OS (XP)at the time i didn't want it because of the DRM that was added after 2000 sp4

if you already have licenses of InDesign and PS, then call Adobe about an upgrade to CS Design Standard or Premium Suite. It will be cheaper than a stand alone version of Illustrator.

Be aware that the 1.0 version of the Illustrator DXF/DWG import plugin is fuxxored, and imports everything into layer 0. The plugin update is buried in Adobe forum pages, and doesn't shop up in the updater.

Look on ebay. You can usually get new, sealed copies of all the Adobe programs for cheaper than list price.

Another way is to buy an older version (6,7,or cs) and then look for the upgrade to cs3. Alot of time that is cheaper.

I know I got Illustrator CS (newin box) about a year ago on ebay for about $75.00

a fairly quick workaround:
if any of you have rhinoceros (a 3d modeling tool), you can save your dwg, open it in rhino and then export to ai. it preserves layers.

Rhinoceros is a very good go between for AI and Autocad

but like i said you don't need to use the later of the former if you choose not to :D

thank you bluesman and cowerd for your useful remarks.

your welcome, to tools at your fingertips can enable you to do great things

I'd suggest being very careful about buying on ebay. Ask for the serial number and call adobe. Pirated software comes in many flavors, some in packages that look like the real thing.


If you are a student, buy the complete CS3 package. If you aren't and can't afford it, get a student to buy you a copy.


Honestly, though, the price is pretty reasonable compared to things like 3D Studio and Autocad.

Buy the packages, too, they are waaaay cheaper than buying individual programs (plus, it is one install).

i can see it now: "adult man jailed for asking student boy to buy him software at discounted price, all this could have been avoided had he gone to bittorrent"

LOL