Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
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4699 results found
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Add Convert to normal map filter / effect
As It's already existing in Photoshop, and as there are some Photoshop filters applicable in Illustrator, I was wondering if we can get the "convert to Normal Map" filter directly in Illustrator.
It may be useful and more efficient than using AI + PS to generate some Normal maps based on vector graphics.
Many Thanks
7 votes -
More Layer Options for Actions
I work in print, and need to set up files daily for print which are separated into layers for grouping purposes. One of these purposes is for our automated cutting machines. In order for these to work, I need to keep the cutting and scoring paths on individual, specifically-named layers. When setting up many files at once I would like to automate the saving of print files, proof files, and cutting files.
To do this I really need Actions which support things like selecting Layers by Name (similar to selecting objects by attribute description, a feature I already use in my automation). Delete Empty Layers would also likely be helpful in many circumstances outside my need.
For example, a typical document I work on contains the following layers: Printer Marks, Crop Marks, Art, Outside Cut Paths, Inside Cut Paths, Score Paths, Registration Marks.
I need to be able to use actions to do the following: Save a PDF with all layers turned on, Save a PDF with only the Outside and Inside Cut and Score Paths turned off, and finally Save a PDF with all Layers Deleted except Registration Marks, and all Cutting and Scoring Paths.
This type of thing has been requested since 2009, it would drastically improve my workflow without the need to learn complicated workarounds (which may not even work) in javascript or some other automation method.
Attached is a sample showing the type of file I need to work with.
I work in print, and need to set up files daily for print which are separated into layers for grouping purposes. One of these purposes is for our automated cutting machines. In order for these to work, I need to keep the cutting and scoring paths on individual, specifically-named layers. When setting up many files at once I would like to automate the saving of print files, proof files, and cutting files.
To do this I really need Actions which support things like selecting Layers by Name (similar to selecting objects by attribute description, a feature I already…
7 votes -
Please support for CAD functions
Pleased support CAD functions natively in illustrator like CADtools or CAD-COMPO, I consider that these functions are very important.
7 votes -
Stop with the survey
Please stop making the **** survey strip popup. I think I’ve had to close it at least 20 times over the past three months. It really irks me and makes me a little upset every time - it is really distracting.
7 votes -
Correct direction of the object rotate function
When rotating objects in a positive angle direction, objects SHOULD rotate CLOCKWISE
When rotating objects in a negative angle direction, they SHOULD rotate COUNTER CLOCKWISEIllustrator seems to be BACKWARDS from all other programs I have ever used...
7 votes -
Transforming 3D effects
For 3D effects such as 'Extrude and Bevel', 'Revolve' and 'Rotate', transformation behaviour is incomplete. For instance:
Scale Strokes and Effects doesn't cause the extrude depth to scale.
Flipping the object only flips the path and not the 3D effect.
Both these things should transform as expected...
7 votes -
Glitchy remove behaviour in Color Groups in Recolor artwork
There are a lot of problems when I removing color set in Color Groups.
First - list jumps into the end, if I remove first element for example or any from the top. Also - Backspace or Del keys not works, I can't remove using them. From video you can see that there are a lot of colors and I want be able to select multiple of them with just a mouse.Thats just typical and simple UX from NSListView ... you know? Why you didn't implemented all that behaviour?
7 votes -
An ability to control the assumed resolution for placed PNG files
Raster images brought into Illustrator always seem to appear at 72 ppi, and are scaled too large relative to an artboard with 300 ppi raster effects. There is no way to set images to appear at the desired resolution, instead requiring you to manually adjust their size with the transform tools.
A 300 pixel wide PNG appears on the artboard scaled 4.17 inches/105.8 mm wide. It's too big and blurry if you print it. You have to down-size it manually with the transform tools... awkward.
The desired behaviour is for raster images to appear scaled on the artboard at an appropriate size relative to their own resolution and the document raster effect settings.
A 300 pixel wide PNG should appear on a 300 ppi artboard at a scale of 1 inch/25.4 mm.
Raster images brought into Illustrator always seem to appear at 72 ppi, and are scaled too large relative to an artboard with 300 ppi raster effects. There is no way to set images to appear at the desired resolution, instead requiring you to manually adjust their size with the transform tools.
A 300 pixel wide PNG appears on the artboard scaled 4.17 inches/105.8 mm wide. It's too big and blurry if you print it. You have to down-size it manually with the transform tools... awkward.
The desired behaviour is for raster images to appear scaled on the artboard…
7 votes -
Since you're not maintaining Illustrator, open-source it.
Year after year, we ask for simple but glaring deficiencies to be fixed. But NOTHING is fixed.
Top example: There's no way to force Illustrator to select ONLY the objects that are FULLY ENCLOSED by the selection rectangle. I don't know of any other vector-art program that lacks this feature, and some even use it by default.
Yes, we've reported this problem. Yes, we voted for the feature request. Year after year after year.
I bought Affinity Designer because I consider Illustrator unusable with this defect. And that's after years of running Corel Draw in a VM to, again, avoid the ridiculous tediousness of trying to use Illustrator without a proper selection mode.
Year after year, we ask for simple but glaring deficiencies to be fixed. But NOTHING is fixed.
Top example: There's no way to force Illustrator to select ONLY the objects that are FULLY ENCLOSED by the selection rectangle. I don't know of any other vector-art program that lacks this feature, and some even use it by default.
Yes, we've reported this problem. Yes, we voted for the feature request. Year after year after year.
I bought Affinity Designer because I consider Illustrator unusable with this defect. And that's after years of running Corel Draw in a VM to, agai…
7 votes -
Export for Screens in AI should be just like PS's Version
PLEASE make the export for screens function precisely like the one used in Photoshop.
In particular:
(1) it needs to be possible to export at <0.5x, which is currently the upper limit. If I am producing assets for iOS @3x for whatever reason -- say, they include an unscalable PNG from PS for instance -- to produce the 1x asset I need to export @0.33x, which you don't allow, but PS does. (less important but also mind-boggling is why you don't allow upscaling beyond 33.3x.)
(2) The default export option should be to export to the SAME FOLDER IN WHICH THE FILE IS SAVED. This ridiculous omission costs me valuable time every time I have to export files in different locations. PS also has this correct.
(3) Your defaults should be the default and they should change based on the file I have open, not based on the export options I had selected for the last file I had open, e.g. if I choose to export File A as 1.0x, 0.67x, and the aforementioned impossible 0.33x, the next time I export those options should NOT now be the default for an entirely different file, where most likely 1x, 2x, 3x are appropriate.
PLEASE make the export for screens function precisely like the one used in Photoshop.
In particular:
(1) it needs to be possible to export at <0.5x, which is currently the upper limit. If I am producing assets for iOS @3x for whatever reason -- say, they include an unscalable PNG from PS for instance -- to produce the 1x asset I need to export @0.33x, which you don't allow, but PS does. (less important but also mind-boggling is why you don't allow upscaling beyond 33.3x.)
(2) The default export option should be to export to the SAME FOLDER IN WHICH…
7 votes -
The "Align" tool doesn't align
So the align tools is organized like this:
Align Objects:
Vertical alignment tools Horizontal alignment toolsDistribute Objects:
Horizontal distrib. tools Vertical distrib. toolsIt confuses me each time. Why aren't the vertical tools both on the left, and both the horizontal tools on the right? Each time I use it I have to stop for a second and think about it before jumping horizontally to the tool I actually want. Please put the vertical alignment and distribution tools on the left, and the horizontal alignment and distribution tools on the right!
7 votes -
Typeface recognition and OCR.
OCR would be great from images. Typeface recognition would be even better, but I would like to see that implemented better than what's currently implemented in Photoshop, which is not very good at identifying fonts other than fairly standard ones. Sensei might be a good fit for this. Please take a look at WhatTheFont.com and make the recognition at least as good as that.
7 votes -
More Detail in Font Find/Replace - Include Details to Assist Tracking Down Correct Font
When working with files that reference missing fonts, sometimes it is necessary to find the exact font but there is little to go on other than the font name displayed. If font information was stored such as version, type of font (TrueType, OpenType, Type-1, etc...), foundry, version, date, etc...it would make it far more efficient to track down the correct font.
For example, when working with product labels, etchings or logos often it is necessary to use the exact font to maintain consistency in manufactured products. Having little more to go on than a name makes it extremely difficult. This feature would save a lot of time!
It would be even more helpful if you could find a way to identify a font where information has not been stored yet...but I wouldn't cry over that.
When working with files that reference missing fonts, sometimes it is necessary to find the exact font but there is little to go on other than the font name displayed. If font information was stored such as version, type of font (TrueType, OpenType, Type-1, etc...), foundry, version, date, etc...it would make it far more efficient to track down the correct font.
For example, when working with product labels, etchings or logos often it is necessary to use the exact font to maintain consistency in manufactured products. Having little more to go on than a name makes…
7 votes -
Deleting Artboard with a button next to its name
Can you add back the little cross/close button (we used to have in CC2017) to the artboard so that I can delete the artboards without visiting the artboard pannal?
7 votes -
Curvature tool doesn't work for path in Text on path
I have drawn a curve using Curvature tool.
I've made a text follow this curve.
I want now to edit this curve with Curvature tool, but I just can't — AI won’t highlight and selects points in this path with this tool anymore.Kinda same happens with editing path in blends with Curvature tool — I have to dance with Ctrl, clicking, isolating, and then, after some combination of woodoo, AI finally sees points and allows to move them with said tool.
7 votes -
A hotkey or a mode to prioritize selected objects
Add an option or some kind of a hotkey to block/freeze "not selected objects", so when you are working with a selection you don't have to worry about selecting/moving/deleting/editing other objects by mistake.
Also very helpful when you are selecting those tiny anchor points.
For 2017 Christmas please ;-)
Thanks,
Marco B.7 votes -
Offset Path - allow creation of non-joined segments
Would save a lot of time if Offset Path could create paths with or without joining them.
As it is now there are times when it's useful to have auto-joins and many times that it's not. Personally I end up spending a bunch of time deleting the joining path segments as I rarely use them in my workflow.
A simple solution would be to add an on/off toggle for [Join] right above the join type combo.
As well, per other requests, please can the panel remember the last-used settings for [Preview] on/off?
Thanks!
7 votes -
Turn off effects in outline mode
I never really understood why effects are loaded in the background in outline mode. Why is it necessary to load an effect when you don't even see it? I thought the purpose of outline mode was for when the artwork have become heavy and takes longer time to load. The usual reason why my artwork becomes so heavy is because of all the effects I use. I wish I could switch to outline mode for quick edits instead of having to wait for the effect to load every time I do a tiny adjustment. Effects should be turned off in outline mode and turned back on when you return to preview mode.
I never really understood why effects are loaded in the background in outline mode. Why is it necessary to load an effect when you don't even see it? I thought the purpose of outline mode was for when the artwork have become heavy and takes longer time to load. The usual reason why my artwork becomes so heavy is because of all the effects I use. I wish I could switch to outline mode for quick edits instead of having to wait for the effect to load every time I do a tiny adjustment. Effects should be turned…
7 votes -
Voice activated commands
What if all your basic commands could be said aloud? For example:
"File, save, export, save for web, jpg, 72 dpi, save, save to X folder..." or "select same fill color and stroke color, change to PMS246, object ungroup, select tool, select Layer 1, add 2 point white outline"Why would this be cool?
I am the worst at remembering short keys or using short keys and I'm sure not the only one. When software gets updated, sometimes things get moved in menus and that can be frustrating. I can say the commands faster than I can point, click or use the keyboard. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry I get frustrated not being able to click fast enough. I've even been known to say the commands out loud when I am trying to resolve an issue or trying to concentrate.
I think this could open many doors for individual special needs. If a designer injures their hand, their livelihood can be gone forever. Any verbal commands or even facial/ eye movement adaptations to any software would be greatly beneficial. No one should have their creativity stifled by inability to use to great design tools. Voice commands would be a great place to start.
I hate to say this but your users are getting older and will be working longer and longer. Years and years of typing and clicking can really be ******* joint and muscles. (Arthritis is a real thing.) It seems that you would want to keep the health of your end user in mind for the investment longevity of your projects.
What if all your basic commands could be said aloud? For example:
"File, save, export, save for web, jpg, 72 dpi, save, save to X folder..." or "select same fill color and stroke color, change to PMS246, object ungroup, select tool, select Layer 1, add 2 point white outline"Why would this be cool?
I am the worst at remembering short keys or using short keys and I'm sure not the only one. When software gets updated, sometimes things get moved in menus and that can be frustrating. I can say the commands faster than I can point,…
7 votes -
Select Fill or Stroke Does Not Make Selection Automatically Edit-Ready
For years I have been frustrated with how anytime I want to edit fills or strokes, Illustrator seems to ALWAYS have the wrong choice forward in the tools panel! It seems to always know when I want to edit strokes, because it always has fills ready to edit in the foreground swatch and vice-versa! All these years I just felt is was some sort of voodoo thing, but I finally realized why this happens to me the majority of the time. I use Select>Same>Fill Color, Select>Same>Stroke Color, Select>Same>Stroke Weight all the time. The main reason I make those selections by targeting them in that manner from the Select Menu is because that is what I am getting ready to change in the artwork. So, if I choose Select>Same>Fill for instance, it would really be nice if AI would automatically switch the active swatch to "Fill" as well... and so on. This is not always the case of course, but 90% of the time that is what I am wanting to do. So it would be nice to at least have a Preference setting to enable that option for those 3 selection commands and maybe hold down the Alt Key when choosing to give the opposite swatch priority. This would save a ton of clicks!
For years I have been frustrated with how anytime I want to edit fills or strokes, Illustrator seems to ALWAYS have the wrong choice forward in the tools panel! It seems to always know when I want to edit strokes, because it always has fills ready to edit in the foreground swatch and vice-versa! All these years I just felt is was some sort of voodoo thing, but I finally realized why this happens to me the majority of the time. I use Select>Same>Fill Color, Select>Same>Stroke Color, Select>Same>Stroke Weight all the time. The main reason I make those…
7 votes
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