Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is the quintessential raster graphics editor, so dominant that its name is synonymous with image manipulation. It defines excellence in pixel-based editing, photo retouching, digital painting, and complex compositing. Its toolset is vast and deep, covering everything from basic color correction and healing to advanced 3D texturing and video frame editing. Photoshop's power lies in its non-destructive editing paradigm through layers, adjustment layers, smart objects, and masks, allowing for incredibly flexible and reversible workflows.

For graphic designers, it is indispensable for creating website mockups, editing product photography, designing social media graphics with complex effects, and preparing images for any medium. The integration of Adobe Firefly generative AI (Generative Fill, Expand) has revolutionized tedious tasks like object removal, background extension, and content creation, dramatically speeding up workflows. While not a vector or layout tool at its core, its place in the graphic design pantheon is unassailable for any work involving pixels, textures, or photographic elements.