ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud

What do you like best?

-Direct integration with Illustrator

-Maps are Vector objects

-Everything is separated out into Multi-Leveled Layers

-The Layers are named in a manor that makes sense

What do you dislike?

-Installation can be a bit of a bear

-Cancellation seems to be impossible

-Files, because of their detail, are resource intensive

-Some elements don't use closed paths so changing colors can get tricky if you aren't aware

Recommendations to others considering the product:

There really isn't anything else out there that comes close to the depth you get with this product. When you factor in the price it's a no brainer. It is a bit of a pain to use at times and the learning curve isn't in your favor but it's worth learning. You will end up with more than you needed from it every time. Multiple map sources? Check. Data visualisation? Check. Clean, simple vectors? Check!

For me, I don't have a need to use it more than a handful of times a year. It's a month to month subscription. The only thing I would caution on is cancelling. Figuring out how to is a bear. Logging into the site will loop you on your Creative Cloud credentials. Customer Care, while semi-responsive, will only say you need to log in to do it. It's why care gets a 3. They at least respond within a few days. It took 2 months trying to get cancelled though.

What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?

My needs have been simple. I've used it primarily to generate maps for background imagery, location assets, and routes for tours and such in printed literature. What I didn't expect at first was the usage for Data Visualization that I would have access to in this. That is a huge plus!