Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
When entering a new feature request, please provide:
- Description
- Why is this valuable to you?
266 results found
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Instantly swap two colors
I've been making icons and when I have to reverse them to be on a dark background it would be great to be able to do that with one click.
2 votes -
Enable multiple paint bucket selections at once
I use the paint bucket feature quite a bit on architectural drawings. One area of every drawing I work on has thousands of very small areas ... and I currently have to zoom in to make sure I fill every tiny closed area. It would be great if I could select a whole area (that included hundreds of smaller closed areas that I wanted to paint all the same color) ... and then color them all at once. This would save me (my company) 100 hours a week or more. Hope you can add this feature!!
Mike
2 votes -
Batch import of .ase files directly to the swatches palette
For example, if I have a dozen .ase files from different colleges, opening them one by one and adding them to my swatches takes time. I'd rather put them into a folder and have Illustrator import them all. Having them import as Color Groups should be kept.
I'd like to be able to do this.
Swatches > Open Swatch Library > Other Library > [folder name]
Every .ase file in that folder should open up/be imported in my swatches palette. Bam! I'm done!2 votes -
Gradient annotator as a palette and snap to gradient points
Allows you to then retain the annotator when dragging guides or other objects, and using other tools. Could work in a similar way to the Tabs palette.
Also it would be really useful if you could snap objects or guides to the gradient points on the sliders.
2 votes -
Improve thumbnail functionality and allow them to be turned off in Pattern Maker Window
While layers, groups, and paths offer you the ability to shut off thumbnails, Pattern Maker does not. As it is a live preview of what you're currently editing, it can slow things down quite drastically, even to select 1 item in the swatch with complex patterns. Often I have to shutoff layer thumbnails since they rerender the thumb for every revision, and would like the same functionality for Pattern Maker. Swatch thumbnails don't seem to be an issue and it would appear they only update once the changes are saved. Since there are many options for bricking, and tiling, it's…
2 votes -
In illustrator, you can't add a stroke to an image file. But when you click on an image, it shows the option to select a stroke colour/size
In illustrator, you can't add a stroke to an image file. But when you click on an image, it shows the option to select a stroke colour/size
2 votes -
Freeform gradients to grayscale
It would be awesome if we could convert freeform gradients to grayscale just like with a normal gradient.
2 votesYou can do this by executing Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to Grayscale
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Recolor Artwork flip 2 colors
I want to quickly flip 2 colors within a multi-colored design.
Lets say I have Object A (RED) and Object B (Blue) I want A to be Blue and B to be red. I try to find tutorials about it but couldn't find any. I have tryed everything in recolor artwork but its not possible to switch simply two colors (withing a multi-colored design, large file to see different color options quickly)
2 votesThis can be done with native Recolor options dialog, just with dragging one chip over the other. Please refer to the comment inside for details.
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2 votes
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Pattern origin
Why is the pattern anchored to the art board and not the item? I often create shapes and apply a pattern (lets say a plaid) and I adjust the alignment of the pattern so that it is equal on all sides. If I then copy the shape containing the pattern so that I can then offer the client a different color combination of the pattern, I now have to nudge the pattern of the new shape to align properly again! Because the pattern is anchored to the art board not the shape.
2 votesThis behavior can be toggled in Preferences > General > Transform Pattern Tiles.
Once enabled, the pattern stays relative to the object it’s applied to, when you move or copy it between documents.
It also makes it deform if you stretch, resize, rotate, skew or transform the object, because it’s all a part of 'transformations' we can make.
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Option/Alt + Click to select repeated shape in Pattern Maker and add easier move function
Often in pattern maker, designers find themselves boggled at how its magic works, and tend to resort to legacy features and clipping masks as a solve for how to make a pattern repeat in this feature. Even when used properly an incorrect overlap may appear that can seem challenging to resolve. I am currently working on a hex repeat, that only shows an overlap when tiled at 5x5 and was a head scratcher to some of the team. In general this is easily solved by selecting and moving the distance of the swatch, but to identify these shapes can be…
2 votes -
Randomize Named Colors
i love the randomize colors that freehand used to have.
l'd like to see that feature on illustrator.2 votes -
Export Swatch Bounds in Pattern Maker for easier repeat sharing
- In the Pattern Maker tool, there would be an option to export the swatch via art board or just export in general, within the swatch bounds indicated by the pattern maker tool.
Solves problem of: Having to figure out mathematically how to make a displaced patterned swatch with the correct bounds on a separate art board via a bunch of math.
2 votes -
Saving Colorways
In Fashion Design it's usual to define multiple colrways for Patterns.
It should valuable for Illustrator to save those colorways to be able to switch easily from one version to the other.
Something like saving the visibility of objects but with color in the "Variables Manager"
It should be cool too to get this feature (switchnig between colorways) in Creative Cloud Browser for reviewing...2 votes -
Pattern making
I want a feature in the pattern making panel. When I make a pattern I often duplicate a graphic and change something, maybe color, in the area where you make the graphics that shall be repeated. After duplicated I move it to the place where it is repeated. Then I can change color of one of the graphics for example, and these both graphics are now repeated. The problems is that when I move the graphic I kind of eyeball the placement of it. I would want to be more exact and quicker with it. I don't know what one…
2 votes -
Distribute in patterns
I want the pattern to be able to connect more to the resulting repeat. With that I mean for example this.
1) If I draw a line freehand, from left to right. Then I would like to be able to make a seamless repeat of that line. So at the right I can "connect" to the left end and join/smooth it together
2) If I want 4 similar/identical things spaced evenly and repeated. Then I can distribute the group to space it evenly. But on the left and right side (or top/bottom) how do this spacing between the items gets…2 votes -
Lithological Swatches
When I want to use the USGS lithological swatches, I usually have difficulty finding them. Could all these be placed in a top level menu?
2 votes -
Allow to covert a global / spot swatch into a normal / process color when user tries to edit the HEX value in Color panel
As mentioned by oldsystem here — https://www.reddit.com/r/AdobeIllustrator/comments/1pj3jae/my_4month_list_of_illustrator_2025_issues_state/ — Illustrator doesn’t allow to change a global/spot color in the Color panel by editing a HEX value. We just can’t type there.
However, if we open a Color Picker instead, it’s not a problem — we can enter a new hex value and get the color converted into a normal/process color, with no warning or shy message even about the conversion happened.
Please make these consistent. Allow editing the HEX value and show a shy message, similar to one we see when we convert live rectangles into just paths by moving an…
1 vote -
Merge some features of Color window into Swatches window
I've always wished the "Color" window and "Swatches" were sort of merged... I wont' bother explaining why its useful to keep the Swatches window open, as i have to assume everybody is constantly using this. I toggle over to the Color window when i'm viewing the color name and swapping the color/fill. In the latest update of Illustrator, they've updated Swatches to include a stroke and fill selector (as well as a list of recent colors, which is pretty cool). they've not however included the swapping arrow, display name of color, or that little default fill selection. can we please…
1 vote -
Fill/Outline Color Palettes
My suggestion is to add an option of separate color palette view for the fill and outline color control menus.
When I select a shape to view or to spec its color fill or outline, it shows the RGB/CMYK slider menu for one but not the other.
I then have to select the opposite to view or spec its color or to no color. I would like to have the option of viewing the color slider menus that shows fill and outline color simultaneously. This would speed up creating and be more efficient to me. Thank you.1 vote
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