Complex lists with the use of semicolon and "etc."

I know a thing or two about using "etc." and semicolon, but not when they come together.

Help me to look at the example if you may:

Tools
Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects; Wacom Tablet, etc.

I wanted to mention the tools that I've used to create a project, but only the important ones.

As you can see, the list consists of 2 groups of "tools", software and hardware.

Now it looks like there is more to the "hardware" list - which is not my intention

I just want to convey the meaning of "there are some more general tools that I have also used" but not particularly is hard/software

should I write something like...

Tools
Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, etc.; Wacom Tablet, etc.

which looks redundant...

or...

Tools
Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects; Wacom Tablet; etc.

which looks like there is a third group other than hard/software, which there isn't

I am open to other formats and style, does anyone have any idea?

Solution 1:

Technical and business writing handbooks tend to recommend against the use of etc. you propose because it is difficult to infer what other items in the list you are alluding to. Here's an excerpt from The Business Writer's Handbook, Eleventh Edition, 2015, p. 187:

Use etc. with a logical progression (1, 2, 3, etc.) and when at least two items are named. [...]

The sorting machine processes coins (pennies, nickels, etc.), and then packages them for redistribution.

Otherwise, avoid etc. because the reader may not be able to infer what other items a list might include.

VAGUE: He will bring notepads, paper clips, etc., to the trade show.

CLEAR: He will bring notepads, paper clips, and other office supplies to the trade show.

"Pennies, nickels, etc." creates a logical pattern that almost anyone in the US can fill in - dimes, quarters, half-dollars, dollars. "Notepads, paperclips" - or "Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects" - does not create a logical progression. I can't guess what's coming next. Thus the result is vague, and etc. raises more questions ("what other programs? why aren't they listed?").

Rather than using etc., adjust the presentation to clarify what you're presenting. Are you only focusing on important tools? Then either adjust the title ("Key Tools") to specify that the list is selective rather than exhaustive, or otherwise adjust the list to signal the scope of contents ("Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and other programs; Wacom Tablet and other interfaces.")