Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
When entering a new feature request, please provide:
- Description
- Why is this valuable to you?
28 results found
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Make Illustrator multi threaded on CPU
Illustrator performance is awful, its slow and lumbering at all but the most basic operations. It is bound to only a single cpu thread which is ridiculous now in an age of multi core and multi thread CPU's and it has been this way for many years. It cannot handle background tasks and is completely out of parity in function and performance with other Adobe software such as photoshop and inDesign.
778 votesStarted (Available in Beta) ·
AdminAvinash Singh Kotwal
(Principal Product Manager, Adobe Illustrator)
responded
Adobe Illustrator's Multithreading Journey Begins!
Dear Illustrator Community,
I'm thrilled to announce that we've embarked on an exciting journey to bring multithreading capabilities to Adobe Illustrator. This significant undertaking will enhance performance and responsiveness across various aspects of the application.
While this is a complex process that will take some time to fully implement, I wanted to share our progress so far.
Our Approach
We've strategically begun by focusing on the most computationally intensive operations—those that typically take more time and block the main thread, resulting in slower response times while you work. By moving these operations to separate threads, we aim to significantly improve your overall experience with Illustrator.
It's important to note that you may see more noticeable impact in some areas than others initially. However, we want to assure you that this is just the beginning, and we will continue this journey to bring improvements across…
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Relink / replace all instances of the same image at once
We need to multiple relink.
I want to place the only object I choose instead of the hundred objects I choose.139 votesThis is finally available in Beta 30.6.0.75
When you replace a linked image in Illustrator, you can now choose to apply that change everywhere the image appears in your file (even across multiple artboards and repeated layouts).
How in works:
- Select one or more links in the Links panel and click Relink
- In the file picker, note the 'Replace:' dropdown below the options
- Choose 'All Links (N)' to replace every instance of that file in the document
- Choose 'Selected Links (N)' to replace only the instances you selected
- Pick the replacement file and click Place
Try it and leave a comment if it works and it works like you need it to.
Also, please don’t forget to upvote this request if you are interested — Display copies of links' duplicates as instances, like in InDesign
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Make 'Recent fonts' section in Character palette work alongside with selecting current font in font list
Recently AI made focus in font list in Character palette jump to the top of the list, in 'Recent fonts' part, thus making impossible to browse fonts in alphabetical order — you have to scroll font list manually to position.
This is stupid.
In 22.1.0 this request has been realized:
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-feature-requests/suggestions/32044567-option-to-disable-recent-fonts-featureNow user can set '0' in Preferences to completely eliminate 'Recent' section in font list — and this magically 'fixes' selection of current font in context.
This is stupid.
I personally want to use BOTH 'Recent fonts' AND current font focusing.
I don't care about it won't be selected…132 votesThe latest Beta Build 29.6.91 introduces first changes to the way how recent font section works. Now Ai tries to find the position of the currently chosen font in the main list.
There are several known issues.
- If you deselect a text and select it again — Ai will still jump to the recent section’s font when we open the dropdown
- The recent section is not fixed and gets scrolled while navigating the list, making the access to recent fonts harder that it is now in the General build
Please try to test it and leave comments.
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Disable "hover scrolling to change numeric value in input fields"! At least an option to do so
it's super maddening and frustrating. I often have to use trackpad to do work and this activates so easily. Please provide an option to turn this off. Thanks
125 votesThe Beta now allows to disable hover scrolling for values, with a dedicated option in Preferences > General.
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Full Alignment Center Option (both horizontally and vertically)
Instead of having two tools (Horizontal and Vertical Align Center), can we get a tool that does both in one called something like Fully Align Center. I've included an image of what the tool might look like.
81 votesThe latest Beta 30.4.0.80 build adds an additional button in the Align panel.
This is a first iteration (I hope), so please try and comment to steer it in the proper direction.
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We need custom font filters / tags / folders
We have Favorites in Font Family drop-down list, but that's not enough. Allow us to create our own custom filters / tags / folders and manage them.
50 votesBeta 30.0.0.21 introduces Font Libraries ('collections'). These are synced with your CC Libraries, but you can create these directly from the font browser. Share, rename, filter and customize these to better access your fonts, local or added ones.
Please try it and share you impressions — this means a lot for the team and will help to guide the development further.
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Place multiple files in a grid like InDesign (Gridify)
InDesign has a very nifty feature that I would like to see in Illustrator; if you press the arrow keys while placing multiple files at once, you can create a "grid" of said files. Depending on the job I'm working on, I have to place hundreds of files at once... Having this feature would streamline a lot of my projects.
48 votesAi Beta 30.6.0.75 now allows it!
1. Go to File > Place and choose the files to be placed (won’t work for drag-ndrop on canvas).
2. Click and drag on the canvas to define the grid area.
3. While dragging, hold Opt/Alt to place all files in one gesture with an auto-calculated grid.
4. For a custom grid layout, while dragging, press arrow keys to adjust rows and columns — Right/Left for columns, Up/Down for rows.
Please try how it works and comment back to help the team to polish the feature.
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Support for Windows 64-bit (ARM64, e.g. Snapdragon X Elite) devices (including Copilot+, Surface)
Illustrator and Photoshop support for ARM64 devices would be great. I own a Surface Pro X and would love to continue using Core Adobe apps on that device. 32 bit performance is quite poor.
41 votesIllustrator is now available as a native Windows ARM build in Beta — previously it was limited to some setups via x64 emulation through Windows on ARM's translation layer.
Now it’s been compiled and is running directly on ARM64, no emulation.
Key differences
- ~30% performance gain vs. the emulated build
- Lower CPU/battery footprint
- A proper base for further ARM-specific optimizations
Known limitations
- Third-party plugins: Not currently supported. The team will share SDK availability details soon.
- CC Libraries panel: Not supported in this build. The panel will not appear in the panel list.
- AutoCAD (DWG) files: Real DWG format is not supported.
- Version History panel (cloud documents): Panel does not refresh after saving. Workaround: close and reopen the document.
- Encrypted PDFs: Not supported.
- The "Use Precise Cursor" setting is not imported correctly when importing preferences.
Please try to update from your CCD app and give it a go!
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Gradients don't snap to grid or to Smart Guides
I can't believe I haven't posted it, but the search says so.
Since CS4, I guess, when the cool and fancy gradient annotator showed up, the Gradient tool had lost it's ability to snap to grid. WHY? Do you think nobody needs to snap gradients? I need, at least.
It should also snap to Smart guides!Everything must snap to grid, when Snap to grid is enabled.
39 votesBeta Build 29.6.142 now partially supports Gradient Tool snapping with Smart Guides enabled, but for the starting point only at the moment. Snapping to grid is not supported as well, and gradient stops won’t snap at all. There is no dedicated option for the tool to control the behavior as well.
If you noticing anything else while testing this (please do!) — kindly make a comment.
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Allow to choose if the Save dialog should "remember the last file format used / PDF is set as a default filetype when saving a new document
Ever since last update, if i save off a pdf and then create a brand new doc and go to save it, it goes to PDF automatically when it used to always default to .ai so i forget and get to the PDF options and then have to cancel and go back and retype my file name which is just annoying and remembering the last format is not helpful. Almost as annoying as PS trying to export in the last export location instead of the same folder as the .PSD --- NOT HELPFUL
Mac OS 15.5 (24F74)
Ai 29.634 votesHi everyone,
In the latest BETA 30.0.21, we’ve improved the ‘Save As’ workflow.
Now, instead of remembering the last used format, the default will always be .AI.
We made this change to ensure that your files are consistently saved in the native Illustrator format, which is the most reliable option for preserving full editability.
Please try out he changes by downloading the latest BETA from the Creative Cloud and let us know if it helps you or not.
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Remember the 'Use Artboard' and 'Suffix' checkboxes when exporting
When I export (SVGs and other formats) I have to check "Use artboard" every time... why not just remember this setting has been checked or uncheck from before
33 votesThe latest Beta 29.5 52 now remembers these options in the Export As dialog and keeps it between sessions. Please try to test it to see if it works as expected for you and comment back.
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Put all Blend options and commands into one dialog / panel
Blend Tool > Blend Options Panel stinks, nothing personal.
I use the Blend tool. A lot. When I start a blend, the Properties Panel helpfully tells me that I have a Blend. Thanks for that. But I still have to go to Object > Blend > Blend Options to get any options for the Blend tool. What if the Blend tool options would magically appear in the Properties panel while I'm using that tool?Also, the Blend Options panel will not let me make any changes to the blend other than Spacing or Orientation. How about putting the other Blend…
19 votesThe very first attempt to make the Blend panel is available in the Beta build 30.6.0.27.
It introduces easing controls (separately for spacing and appearance — with steps only). spine controls, Make button...
If possible, please update and provide feedback to shape the further development. All comments are super valuable.
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Option for Smart guides to ignore objects outside isolation
Sometimes you want to isolate certain objects to not mess with everything else. Unfortunatelly, you can't isolate parts of different groups (but that is the other topic—'making isolation more like 'solo' in AE). But even when you have isolated something, Smart Guides still want to snap to objects other then you want to work with. Sometimes it's fine, yeah, but mostly I want SG to ignore everything else but isolated stuff. Please make a tick somewhere for this.
17 votesThe latest Beta now has a dedicated option for this in Preferences > Smart Guides section, in Limit Snapping area. We can now choose if we want to Snap to Isolated Objects ('...only, when isolated' — the name is not clear at the moment).
This is a WIP feature, and the team desperately needs your feedback on it. Please test it and comment if it works as expected (or not).
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Vote for: Urdu Language Support...... will be a Great Help
Dear Great Adobe Team,
Please add Urdu Support in Adobe, Arabic, Persian is available in Adobe if you can ad Urdu language, this is just another instance Like Arabic and Persian Language, not a big difference but it will make a great Help.... Thanks13 votes -
Arabic language management in non-Arabic versions of illustrator
It is necessary to be able to manage texts in Arabic also in the Italian version of illustrator. At the moment if I copy some Arabic text from Word and paste it on an illustrator text box, all features are lost and it is not possible to work. The solution is just to change the Illustrator language. The handling of Arabic texts should also be able to be used in other language versions.
13 votes -
Can't undo Auto bullets
If I undo the bullets (which came automatic after space bar) the letter disappear.
For example: I can't use (-) at front of text with 1 spacebar.
12 votesExpected to be fixed in the latest Beta Build 30.5.0.64, now availibale in CCD.
Please try to update and see if this is really fixed.
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Disable smart guides to some specific object/layer
Hi there,
After using Illustrator for quite some time, I found there has one function I need the most.
Which is to disable smart guides to some specific object/layer.Smart guides are amazing but I found that they won't work well if I had a crazy vector texture background.
When I try to align to the main object I am working on, it will just try to align to background vector textures. Which is not ideal.So I have been thinking, could there have a feature, that disables smart guides to some specific object/layer, like we can lock anything that…
11 votesThe latest Beta now has a dedicated option for this in Preferences > Smart Guides section, in Limit Snapping area. We can now choose if we want Snap within Entire Canvas (as it behaves normally) or the Active Artboard.
This is a WIP feature, and the team desperately needs your feedback on it. Please test it and comment if it works as expected (or not).
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arabic typing
I can't type in arabic
9 votes -
Smart Guides and Snap To Grid mutually exclusive - please support both
"Smart Guides" and "Snap to Grid" are currently mutually exclusive which is very troublesome. I don't see the immediate connection, even if I want to have my objects snap to a grid I'd still liket to use Smart Guides, especially for creating Squares, Circles and the like.
8 votesBeta build now offers a way to have these two work together. This is still WIP and the team really needs your feedback on how it works.
Please try it — Beta builds are available for your Creative Cloud Desktop app and can be installed together with general builds (the only problem would be default file association — OS can’t tell Beta form GA apart).
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Dedicated Persian Language Engine for Illustrator
Persian-speaking users form a large and growing part of Illustrator’s user base. However, Persian text support still relies on the Arabic engine, which leads to issues in text rendering, alignment, and typography.
Persian has unique typographic rules that differ from Arabic, and a dedicated engine is essential for proper layout and display.
We request the development of a Persian-specific text engine to improve support and usability for millions of Persian-language users. I’m happy to provide examples if needed.
Thank you!3 votesSome changes were made to improve Persian support in the latest Beta version. The team is planning to bring this to the main app soon. Please try to install it and check if it works as you expect it.
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