THE ADOBE ENUMERATIVE

INTRODUCTION 

The Adobe repertoire is not new to an eLearning professional. Apart from Adobe Captivate, Adobe’s eLearning authoring tool, there are a host of other apps that eLearning developers employ to create a variety of learning products. We made a comprehensive list that includes the Adobe apps commonly used by eLearning developers. 

Let’s go through the by sorting the apps into categories based on their functions. 

GRAPHICS 

Vector vs Raster Files: While raster files are made of pixels adding much detail to an image (e.g., photographs), while vector files are created using mathematical equations to create an image (e.g., logos). 

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

Adobe Photoshop, a raster graphics editor and definitely the most famous name on this list, for it has acquired synonymity with image editing. The initial versions of the application were available only on Macintosh. A Windows-compatible version was released in 1993 allowing Adobe Photoshop to gain wider popularity across the globe. A mobile version called Adobe Photoshop Express is also available for editing on handheld devices. While Adobe Photoshop offers a wide array of handy features, it is also comparatively expensive than the bevy of image editing apps that are currently available. Using the app also involves a fairly steep learning curve and may not be too effective for working on vector graphics. 

ADOBE LIGHTROOM

Adobe Lightroom is a non-destructive image editing tool. Unlike Adobe Photoshop, it saves the edited image separately and keeps the original image intact. It can also be used as an image organizer that allows users to create collections in their image directory. The tool’s features are not as plentiful as Photoshop, but the easy-to-use interface makes it a convenient tool that can be used for standard tasks. One of the limitations of the tool is that it cannot edit non-photographic images. 

ADOBE DIMENSION

Adobe Dimension is a photo-based mock-up editor for compositing and rendering photorealistic 3D images. However, to create these the tools required 2D or 3D images created externally to use as a base. The tool is useful for creating product designs, packaging designs or other images related to brand visualization.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR: Unlike the other tools in this section, Adobe Illustrator is meant for creating vector drawings that are scalable, as the name clearly states. This tool can be used to create graphics like logos, icons, infographics, or even digital illustrations. The tool offers a variety of brushes and other tools that may be used for creating illustrations and drawings. The later versions come with added support for three-dimensional figures. Adobe Illustrator continues to be.one of the popular and premier tools by Adobe and is a part of their Adobe Creative Suite. 

DOCUMENTS 

ADOBE ACROBAT

Adobe Acrobat is a tool designed to create, edit, and view files in the Portable Document Format or PDF. The editing of the PDF files is restricted though and very much unlike a regular word editor. The other products in the Adobe Acrobat family include applications like Adobe Distiller and Acrobat Reader. While Acrobat Reader is used to view PDF files, the Adobe Distiller is meant for converting documents from other formats into PDF versions. The full professional version of the Acrobat tool, called the Adobe Acrobat Pro, can be used to view, create, and manipulate PDF files.

ADOBE INDESIGN

Adobe InDesign was the first DTP application that provided support for Unicode character sets, advanced typography and transparency features, and cross-platform scripting with JavaScript. It is meant to be a desktop publishing and page layout designing application that allows for both print and digital publishing. It can be used to create posters, flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, presentations, books, and eBooks.  

WEB 

ADOBE ANIMATE

Adobe Animate is the official successor to the Adobe Flash Professional program. The application was renamed so that users do not associate it with the discontinued Adobe Flash Player and popularize its use for HTML5 and video content. It allows users to design vector graphics and some basic vector animation.

ADOBE XD

Adobe XD is used for creating user interfaces for mobile and web applications. Using this application, it is possible to creates animated prototypes that may be viewed on mobile devices too. Users can also use voice commands to create their designs. The application also includes a responsive resize feature that automatically adjusts designs for different screens. Despite all the features, a rival app – Sketch – remains the industry standard even if it is not available for Windows.

ADOBE DREAMWEAVER: The Adobe Dreamweaver application was originally developed by Macromedia in the year 1997. Adobe came to own it in 2005 after they acquired Macromedia. It enables web development even for those users who cannot write code. The application is quite complex to use and has many alternative applications available. 

VIDEOS 

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

One of those apps on the list that is prominently used in the entertainment industry, Adobe Premiere Pro is a timeline-based, non-linear video editing software application. Its complex features also entail a complex learning curve. To simplify things for casual users, Adobe has released a lighter, mobile version of the application called Adobe Premiere Rush.

ADOBE PRESENTER VIDEO EXPRESS

Adobe Presenter Video Express was a screencasting and video editing application that was both cheaper and simpler to use compared to Adobe After Effects or Adobe Premiere Pro. It was a handy tool for recording videos without a green screen and it also enabled users to simultaneously record video from their webcam and screen. It provided users with preset backgrounds and also allowed them insert annotations or quizzes in their video content. The tool was discontinued in 2021 in favour of the Adobe Captivate application.

ADOBE MEDIA ENCODER

Adobe Media Encoder is an encoding engine for content created using the Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition, and Adobe Character Animation. This application can export video and audio files in multiple formats and allows the user to stitch audio and video clips together.

ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS

Adobe After Effects is a popular tool in the entertainment industry typically used for post-production processes. It is not equipped for complete film editing or creation though. The tool is used for adding visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing and also includes some preset effects. Adobe After Effects is known for its easy compatibility with other Adobe apps. 

OTHER APPS 

ADOBE CAPTIVATE

Captivate is Adobe’s eLearning authoring tool and the successor to the Adobe Presenter Video Express. Adobe Captivate is a preferred tool for creating simulation-based trainings or screencasts. It enables the addition of quizzes and assessments to learning content and is compatible with SCORM. Another useful feature of the tool is its ability to convert PowerPoint files to the HTML5 format. 

ADOBE SPARK

Adobe Spark now goes by the name of Adobe Express. It is a free tool for beginners or casual users meant for creating social media content, brochures, presentations, and short informative videos.