Over the past couple of months, our absolute development priority has been on getting all our plugins prepared for Illustrator CS6 (Windows). We realise it’s been a painful wait for many, with Phantasm CS, VectorScribe and DrawScribe having become an indispensable part of their vector design workflow.

But 2012 is also a year in which Apple introduced its first computer complete with Retina display and Microsoft finally released Windows 8. So with all this activity going on, here is a round-up of where we’re at with plugin compatibility…

Windows CS6

Even though we are running a few weeks later than projected — for which we sincerely apologise — the good news is that the first CS6 (Windows) releases are now being readied for public distribution. Copies are already in the hands of the Astute Graphics pre-release panel. Starting with our best-selling, Phantasm CS, and our internal testbed and free workflow tool, SubScribe Designer, full versions are now running successfully on Windows XP / Vista / 7 (32 and 64 bit). These are proving the massive work undertaken to perfectly integrate into CS6′s look and feel within Windows as well as Mac OS is successful.

Here is a preview of Phantasm CS working in Windows XP, Vista and 7:

Direct YouTube HD movie link: http://youtu.be/ELoV81wSYsQ

With the last task of updated installers, catering automatically for 32 and/or 64 bit installations, we are looking to post the update publicly in the coming week.

If you are interested in joining the Astute Graphics pre-release panel (for which there are only very limited spaces) please contact us providing a brief description of the work you do in Illustrator, preferably with a link to a portfolio or similar.

Mac Retina

Apple recently made its new Retina display MacBooks available. These ultra-high resolution devices are ideally suited to graphic designers with their sharper image, containing 4x more detail. This will especially be the case for vector graphics in the future when core software is updated to cater fully for this.

Whereas Astute Graphics’ plugins are understood to work, some user interface elements are not placed in the correct location (such as some pop-up menus).

We will be looking to officially support Retina displays as a priority following the completion of the Windows CS6 work.

Windows 8

Astute Graphics does not yet officially support Windows 8 which is in the process of being released internationally. We are not yet in a position to confirm compatibility but will be adding it to Windows XP, Vista and 7 as soon as possible.