Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
When entering a new feature request, please provide:
- Description
- Why is this valuable to you?
4471 results found
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Relative paths for linked assets
An option to use relative paths for linked assets. Because links use absolute paths, simply moving the folder your artwork is in will break the links unless the links are in the same folder. For example:
c:\artwork\project-1234\layout.ai
c:\artwork\project-1234\assets\logo.jpg
c:\artwork\standard-title-block.aiIf logo.jpg and standard-title-block.ai are both linked to inside of layout.ai, renaming the project folder will break the links. Moving the project folder will break the links.
Instead of storing the link paths absolutely, store them relatively. This way at least renaming the folder will preserve both links and moving the folder will only break links that point to file outside…
81 votesThis feature is now available in all the public builds starting V 28.5. Please give it a try and let us know what you think!
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Please update to allow newer Pantone swatches to be usable.
For years Pantone's new colors have been released, yet I can't upload those books into Illustrator. So for years I've been able to see colors I can't use. Super frustrating. I use the Coated Color Bridge book in spot and cmyk. If I'm doing something wrong, PLEASE enlighten me!
80 votesAs stated in the article linked below, Pantone’s licensing with Adobe got changed.
Due to this change, customers will need to purchase Pantone Connect licenses to access Pantone colors in Adobe Creative Cloud products.
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/pantone-color-books-illustrator.html
Alas, this is the world today.
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Add TIFF format into Export for Screens / Assets dialog
We need a way to export assets (and artboards) as TIFFs using modern Export for Screens / Assets dialog.
79 votes -
Drag to "bevel" a shape.
I'd like to have a bevel tool.
One for "Below" and one for "On top"
Shown here is the "Below" version, dragged straight and at a 45º angle.79 votes -
Artboard-specific Layers
When working with multiple artboards, it would be very helpful to have artboard-specific layers displayed on the Layers panel as opposed to one long blob of all layers from all artboards.
79 votes -
Grouping / linking objects from different layers
Hi Illustrator ! It would be great if there’s a feature to group objects and not have them in the same layer. Many instances I want to be able to resize/multiple select different objects (frim different layers) at the same time without having to select each of them individually everytime.
78 votesDear users,
You can now see a new 'save selection' button on the layers panel which enables to select multiple objects and save it for later use. Please try it out in BETA and let us know your feedback.
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Align to artboard when only when item/group of items is selected.
Have aligning be dynamic depending on what is selected. If one item or group of items is selected auto select align to artboard rather than the last selected option.
If multiple items are selected but not group it would auto select align to selection.
This would reduce time having to check what you are aligning to since 99% of the time when you are trying to align a group it is to the artboard and the same with selecting multiple objects. It is a hassle having to constantly be checking and changing my align options.
78 votesHi Everyone,
Thanks for this feedback. This has been avialble since June 2020 release (version 24.2). Now, when you’ll select a single object/group, Align To setting will default to Align To Artboard.
Please update to the latest release using Creative Cloud desktop App: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/creative-cloud/help/creative-cloud-updates.html
Thank you for all the feedback.
Thanks,
Varun
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Moving Artboards and Locked Layers
The latest CC updates' new feature allows locked/hidden layers to move when you move an artboard. This doesn't make sense since locked should mean locked. I am running into problems now because my company uses a lot of artboards to make print-production files, and sometimes you need to re-arrange the artboards while working on the file.
There should be a way to turn this feature on or off. Such as "keep locked/hidden layers locked when moving/duplicating artboards, or allow locked and hidden elements to move when artboard moves"78 votesAs you probably know, Illustrator today allows to change this behavior with a dedicated option in Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display section.
However, it’s not that accessible, especially when you are already move and copy your artboards.
If you wish this option to be more exposed, consider upvoting this request: Display Move Locked and Hidden Artwork with Artboard option in Control panel and Properties while using Artboard tool / mode
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Make Knife tool work with smart guides
Knife is a very freehand tool, but you can make straight cuts, if you hold Alt. Cool. But you can't position these cuts precisely! Nor with a smart guides (at least!) or Snap to grid.
Please improve it!77 votesFinally! In the latest Beta 28.8.0.37 the Knife tool now works with Smart Guides.
Remember that holding Opt/Alt makes the Knife cut in straight lines.
Please test it and see if it works for you.
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Add Ai and EPS formats in Export for Screens / Assets dialog
I realize that .pdf is essentially the same as .eps format, but still it would be useful to have the option to export as .eps.
77 votesLatest Beta Build 29.2.34 now allows to export into Ai and EPS formats via Export for Screens / Assets dialog.
Please try to test it and comment on if it works as you expect.
Exporting TIFFs requires more work. If you are interested in having this format included, please upvote this separate request.
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Convert outline text to editable text
I work with a lot of files that come to me with outline text, which I then have to retype from scratch. It would be a really useful feature if outline text could be converted to editable text - could there be some kind of auto-recognition (OCR) of the outline text and generate editable text from this? Built-in OCR?
76 votesThe ability to convert outline text into live text will be available through the 'Retype' feature we recently shipped. The released version can identify fonts for now. Soon it will allow you to edit it as well. More details: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/illustrator/using/retype.html
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Mixed Ink Swatch like Indesign.
Please add the Mixed Ink swatch like Indesign. This would simplify building files with varnish, white ink, and bump plates.
76 votes -
import DXF Blocks
In fashion Industry, one of the most common exchange file format is DXF-AAMA/ASTM.
If it is too complex to Illustrator to handle all the subtilities of this format, could it be possible at least to manage "Blocks" ?
Blocks are DXF entities which can be assimilate as "Groups" or "Symbols"
but in Ai Groups and Symbols may stay on a single layer.
In DXF Blocks, you may have multiple entities on multiple layers, but you need to keep them as a single object.
So I was wondering if Ai could generate for each Block a layer (with the name of…72 votes -
Add 3D space navigator / mouse (3dconnexion) compatibility
I would like to be able to pan and zoom with my space navigator 3D mouse.
70 votes -
100% size is actually actual size
Allow Illustrator to be monitor-aware. Have a feature where there is an onscreen ruler, and ask the user to hold up a real ruler to the screen. Let them drag a slider until the onscreen ruler perfectly matches the physical ruler. Then let this % value become the new "100% size" for that machine. Currently to see my artwork at 100% size, I need to set my view to 192%. I wish there was a setting to set my "100%" to default to 192%.
70 votesCompleted (Comments Open) ·
AdminNeeraj Nandkeolyar
(Sr. Product Manager, Adobe Illustrator)
responded
In CC 2019 (latest update 23.0.1), at 100% Zoom 1inch artwork would display at 1inch in physical (Print) size, on any display. If this doesn’t work right for screen design workflows, please use the checkbox Preferences > General > Display Print Size at 100% Zoom, to turn off the feature. Currently this feature works only on primary display, and there are plans of extending this to other attached displays.
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Typesetting formulas, mathematical equations and symbols in LaTeX-style
When typesetting mathematical formulas, LaTeX is the way to go and is the standard in many scientific areas. But a problem arises when mathematical symbols should be used in figures. If these figures are e.g. created in Illustrator, it is always a bit inconvenient to include the symbols in the figure. It is e.g. necessary to render the symbols separately and include them as EPS files in Illustrator or the symbols are added later to the figure by another program.
It would be really cool to have a build-in feature in Illustrator which would allow direct typesetting in the common…
70 votes -
Set Default Font and Font Size for all new documents
Changing the default character style in Illustrator should be permanent when creating new documents. Font size 12 is rarely used for any project I've designed, and Myriad Pro is used even less so, from my experience. Having to change this every time is user friction that is unnecessary, when we could define our own font and font size that is more applicable to one's intended use of Illustrator. It's a minor inconvenience that adds up to an annoyance over time, and I hope that in the future we have the ability to skip this step.
69 votesThe intended way of setting a default font is to edit document profiles. These files are located in folders like 'C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator 2023\Support Files\Required\New Document Profiles\[language]\' on Windows and 'Macintosh HD > Applications ▸ Adobe Illustrator 2020 > Support Files > New Document Profiles > [language]' on Macs.
Make a copy of the one you want to use someplace else, open it in Illustrator, make your changes, replace the original and then use it when creating a new file.
There are many tutorials on the web about managing these, like this one: https://productivista.com/new-document-profiles-saves-your-default-settings/
However, this way indeed is not the most discoverable. Please continue to vote and leave comments if you want this to be improved.
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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.
69 votes -
16 bit mode for Illustrator
When creating Illustrations with gradients, we can only use 8bits. When imported in Photoshop or After Effects 16bits projects, the gradients stick to this poor 8bits - resulting in banding.
Especially when working on normal/displacement maps for 3d materials, 8bits is not enough.
How great would it be if Illustrator had a possibility to switch to 16 or 32 bit mode!
69 votes -
Improve page selection when opening PDFs in Illustrator
Referring to the attached screenshot for opening PDFs in Illustrator:
I find that I am constantly browsing through the preview pages using (B), and hitting 'Open' when I see the previewed page I want -- completely forgetting to actually enter the page number in the Range (C), and thereby opening Page 1, swearing, and starting again. Casual survey suggests this is a common issue for others in my studio as well.
It would be great if changing the previewed page using B also updated the page number selected in C; or, if an additional radio button sitting with C and…68 votesThe solution is pushed into Global Availability build 28.6.
The Previewed Page is now the default option for the dialog.
Here is an updated Help article:https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/importing-pdf-files.html
Congratulations, folks! Took us 5.5 years to get it!
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