Design Pro 5.0 -

– with a note to learn the new Context Panel before you rage-quit. Reviewed on a 2023 M2 MacBook Pro and a custom Windows 11 PC, using Design Pro 5.0 build 5201.

You can now apply raster effects (blurs, textures, lighting) to vector objects non-destructively, and vice versa. This opens up creative avenues that normally require jumping between Photoshop and Illustrator. The Quirks & Gripes (The Cons) 1. Steep Learning Curve for the New "Context Panel" The old right-click menu is gone, replaced by a dynamic floating panel. It’s powerful, but I spent the first two hours hunting for basic functions like "paste in place." Adobe refugees will adapt quickly; Canva natives may struggle. design pro 5.0

The "Pro" tier (required for AI layouts and vector export) is $19.99/month. The cheaper "Standard" tier ($9.99) feels intentionally crippled—no smart guides, no batch export. The one-time perpetual license ($299) is a bargain, but it excludes AI features and cloud sync. – with a note to learn the new