Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
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4780 results found
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Live effects
I hate drawing comparisons between applications because I believe it's utterly unfair in most cases. This is not one of those cases. I believe wholeheartedly that we've reached a stage of computing where we can get rid of the "Preview" button in the effects panels. Let's do it. I've not seen a solid step forward in how effects are created, previewed, edited, and handled since I began using Adobe apps in CS4. Affinity is doing this. And it's buttery smooth. And I'm both jealous and confused that Adobe doesn't have this. It's the sort of thing that you remain blissfully ignorant about until you use it and then you begin to question everything you know about the world when you go back. All the best :)
I hate drawing comparisons between applications because I believe it's utterly unfair in most cases. This is not one of those cases. I believe wholeheartedly that we've reached a stage of computing where we can get rid of the "Preview" button in the effects panels. Let's do it. I've not seen a solid step forward in how effects are created, previewed, edited, and handled since I began using Adobe apps in CS4. Affinity is doing this. And it's buttery smooth. And I'm both jealous and confused that Adobe doesn't have this. It's the sort of thing that you remain blissfully…
3 votes -
Alignment groups (also for InDesign)
Please add a feature to add an item to a group, but not have it factor into movement when Aligning.
I.e. I have an item/group of items, and a Trademark symbol.
Suggested new feature would Add the Trademark symbol to the group, but when aligning this new group the Trademark feature is not factored into positioning.3 votes -
Ability to export all text at once, for translation
Please make a way to export the text for translation and then import again. Like InDesign's IDML files. You have so many users that would like to translate their content for foreign language markets and no good way to do it with InDesign.
3 votes -
3 votes
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Transform Each: transformation origin
In the Transform Each dialog, particularly when selecting a corner of the selection as the origin, the appearance of the objects is taken into account, i.e. if you have strokes on the objects, they will be included in the selection "bounding box", and thus change the origin of transformation accordingly. While this could be the expected behavior, it really should be optional, that is, the origin of the transformation should also possibly be based on the vectors themselves, and not their appearance.
All in all, Transform Each is powerful and very useful, but very much under-designed. There are already other suggestions for this dialog, which are all justified and good.
In the Transform Each dialog, particularly when selecting a corner of the selection as the origin, the appearance of the objects is taken into account, i.e. if you have strokes on the objects, they will be included in the selection "bounding box", and thus change the origin of transformation accordingly. While this could be the expected behavior, it really should be optional, that is, the origin of the transformation should also possibly be based on the vectors themselves, and not their appearance.
All in all, Transform Each is powerful and very useful, but very much under-designed. There are already other…
3 votes -
Add multiple fills to a CC Library at once.
I think it would be really nice if you could select multiple shapes and add their separate fills into a CC Library. Helpful when making color palettes and things.
3 votes -
Ability to Designate Target Folder for Scratch Disk
At the moment, the user can only specify a target drive which provides limited control. I have a specific 'cache' folder on one of my drives which I use for other programs and I'd like to be able to point Illustrator to this folder as well. If applications don't let the user designate a specific folder, you end up with dozens of cache folders springing up all over the place. In today's data heavy world, keeping things organised is more crucial than ever.
3 votes -
Add support for linear arrays when copying.
I'd like to propose that support be added for linear arrays when copying, similar to how it's done in Sketchup (https://tinyurl.com/y9ye5r9a):
When copying an object by holding down the ctrl key, after releasing the mouse, typing in "x3" will result in 3 copies. Likewise, typing in "/3" will repeat the copy but in 1/3 increments. This would be great for rotations and scaling as well.
3 votes -
Option to turn off swatches automatic naming by color
Swatches get named by the color code automatically. This ends up conflicts with swatches with same color definition. Even in preview mode in global swatch I get message that same name exists. Really annoying and I have to name swatch 'asdfasfdasdf' mostly.
Suggestion: Option turn off naming by color, but name like swatch 1, swatch 2.
3 votes -
Reset symbol rotation and scale independently
It would be nice if we had the option to reset symbol transformations independently.
For example, only the scale (keeping the same rotation) or only the rotation (keeping the same scale).
3 votes -
Make a default workspace for "Illustration."
The software is called "Illustrator." Seems like there should be an "Illustration" workspace.
3 votesThanks for the suggestion. Which panels would you like in such a workspace? Do share your thoughts.
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Create new Library from document like Photoshop
I have a file that has 124 individually named artboards (each containing 1 icon), and was looking for a faster way to add these icons (with their appropriate names) to a library, rather than having to drag each one from their artboard to the library panel, and then have to rename each one (again). Photoshop offers this capability
3 votes -
To be able to select which artboards to see in the navigator.
I don't want to see all of my artboards.
3 votes -
adjust CUSTOM brush STROKE SIZE with bracket keys realtime
use bracket keys to adjust stroke size of custom brushes for faster editing workflow
(you can do it to calligraphic brushes now but not custom brushes, super annoying since 80% of my character art is with custom brushes).
3 votes -
Absolute Optical Kerning when scaling....
I understand show optical kerning works and that smaller type will have relatively more space between glyphs than larger type. However, this results in a problem for those of us who, due to Illustrator's canvas limit (See 227, #downwith227), must design at scales smaller than 1:1.
For that reason, I would like to request that there be an optional type of optical kerning implemented which does not add extra kerning as font size decreases.
3 votes -
Less Application Chrome
Illustrator could have less application chrome.
- Ability to remove scrollbars and status bar
- Ability to disable "Application Bar" while "Application Frame" is selected (Controls take the place of the Application Bar)
- Adjustable-height panels e.g., a Swatches panel that's sized according to the number of swatches, not some fixed height
- Mac-native full-screen mode that hides the macOS menu bar (without having to toggle AI's view mode)
etc etc etc etc
3 votes -
Add a way to protect chosen colors in Recolor while randomizing, and allow to limit chosen colors to different libraries, all in one session
I use the Recolor (color mixer/wheel) daily. I have come across a couple features missing.
Feature Request 1:
- I use the 'randomize/recolor' tool to scroll through a self-made palette and recolor prints with several colors.
- When I've come across a semi-acceptable mix, I can't lock in the colors I like.
- To hold those colors, I have to save and close the color mix window, then reopen and 'lock' those colors
- This adjusted feature would allow me to 'lock' the couple colors that are working for the print, while being able to scroll through options for the remaining colorsFeature Request 2:
- I often use Coated Pantone + Cotton Pantone books simultaneously.
- If I open a print in CMYK, I will use the color mixer, open the Coated pantone library, and allow the mixer to find 'the closest color' to the CMYK's I've selected.
- The issue comes when I know there's a closer color in the Cotton pantone library for 1 or 2. I can't use this 'life hack' again for 2 or 3 remaining colors, if I want to hold onto the coated swatches.
- Again, I can save, close, and re-open the color mixer, but that's annoying.
- I would prefer to keep the option to open and apply a library to ALL swatches in the mixer, like now. BUT also be able to individually choose a separate library for each swatch if I want.I use the Recolor (color mixer/wheel) daily. I have come across a couple features missing.
Feature Request 1:
- I use the 'randomize/recolor' tool to scroll through a self-made palette and recolor prints with several colors.
- When I've come across a semi-acceptable mix, I can't lock in the colors I like.
- To hold those colors, I have to save and close the color mix window, then reopen and 'lock' those colors
- This adjusted feature would allow me to 'lock' the couple colors that are working for the print, while being able to scroll through options for the…3 votes -
The ability to save a direct selection
Sometimes geometric transformations require a complex selection of certain vertices on one or more objects. Losing the selection because of a misclick is so common and frustrating... One should be able to save current selection to recall it if lost. This little buffer can be really very temporary, i.e. stop working if object topology has changed in the meantime. It would already prevent frustration on many occasions.
3 votesIllustrator allows to save, load and managed partial and full selection with Select > Save / Edit Selection commands.
UI is archaic, but it does the thing you want.
Please leave any comments regarding this feature here.
As for having a selection operation as an undoable operation — there is a separate feature request for this you can vote for: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/34934953
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Using the very top menu bar to hook panels
It's frustrating to have artboards covered by panels, it could be great to use the first top bar to hook the panels like AE.
3 votes -
Develop an even better tool for illustrator like Zeplin
Can't you develop a tool like Zeplin or Sketch Measure for illustrators? For a long-term support illustrator users feel very disappointed!
3 votes
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