Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
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4472 results found
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Ability to convert Freeform Mesh to Gradient Mesh
The ability to convert a freeform mesh to a gradient mesh is sorely needed. I love creating a gradient with Freefrom Mesh, it's a lot more user friendly but it is a lot more heave on the system, especially when you start having multiple objects. The ability to convert a Freeform Mesh to a Gradient Mesh should be a standard feature. Analysing the colours as it does from an image but creating a more contoured mesh as it does by default with a vector.
Gradient mesh is less heavy on the system and more universally accessible say for exporting as an SVG instead of rasterising the gradient
The ability to convert a freeform mesh to a gradient mesh is sorely needed. I love creating a gradient with Freefrom Mesh, it's a lot more user friendly but it is a lot more heave on the system, especially when you start having multiple objects. The ability to convert a Freeform Mesh to a Gradient Mesh should be a standard feature. Analysing the colours as it does from an image but creating a more contoured mesh as it does by default with a vector.
Gradient mesh is less heavy on the system and more universally accessible say for exporting as…
4 votes -
Eyedropper to to show ink percentages in elements.
A tool that if you click on an element in the file will show you the percentage of spot or process color being used in that spot. Make it live so you can move around easily and not pick up the art. Similar to the info panel in photoshop. We use a program called PackZ that does this. A screenshot of the use of the eyedropper is attached.
4 votes -
Auto opening a layered illustrator file in photoshop as layered smart objects.
I create my original illustration files in vector format and in layers in Adobe Illustrator. I then copy each layer to its own artboard and save off an Ai file with the multiple layers converted to artboards, I then manually place these artboards as individual linked smart layers in Photoshop to ensure a non-destructive and combined Vector/Bitmap workflow/solution between Ai and PS.
This is a LOT of manual work each time, Photoshop SHOULD be able to open a simple and layered Illustrator file automatically like this in this non-destructive manner.
Saving off as a layered PSD file from Ai rasterises as does the new cut and paste layers between Ill/photoshop feature.
Even a pre-made and supplied script for each piece of software would help.
The workflow between Ill and Ae with layers is great and works, the workflow between Ai and PS is an unnecessary mess by comparison while working via artboards instead of layers.
I create my original illustration files in vector format and in layers in Adobe Illustrator. I then copy each layer to its own artboard and save off an Ai file with the multiple layers converted to artboards, I then manually place these artboards as individual linked smart layers in Photoshop to ensure a non-destructive and combined Vector/Bitmap workflow/solution between Ai and PS.
This is a LOT of manual work each time, Photoshop SHOULD be able to open a simple and layered Illustrator file automatically like this in this non-destructive manner.
Saving off as a layered PSD file from Ai rasterises…
4 votes -
3D & Materials: The ability to color individual sides and parts of a 3d object
(specifically extruded ones)
4 votes -
I'd like the ability to import .spsm files to Materials.
When taken from Illustrator to a community-created assets page, there are tons of .spsm files and only a few .sbsar files. The .spsm files are the ones that I like, but I can't use them in Illustrator.
4 votes -
Selection and zoom marquees should be able to be displayed orthogonally when a view is rotated
When dragging out a selection marquee on a rotated canvas with either of the Selection tools, the marquee is drawn aligned to the canvas instead of the screen.
The actual selection seems to be done in screen space - see the two attached screenshots, where my marquee was dragged from the lower left point of the marquee to the upper right, resulting in a displayed marquee that would select the sketch of hair above the eye, and an actual selection that only contains parts of the paths in the eye.
The expected behavior would be that the marquee was drawn aligned to the screen, rather than to the canvas, and that the selection is also performed on a box aligned to the screen rather than to the canvas.
When dragging out a selection marquee on a rotated canvas with either of the Selection tools, the marquee is drawn aligned to the canvas instead of the screen.
The actual selection seems to be done in screen space - see the two attached screenshots, where my marquee was dragged from the lower left point of the marquee to the upper right, resulting in a displayed marquee that would select the sketch of hair above the eye, and an actual selection that only contains parts of the paths in the eye.
The expected behavior would be that the marquee was drawn…
4 votes -
Zoom factor that shows all artboards
I'd like to have an additional zoom factor in the zoom drop down field that says "All artboards" that zooms out so far that all artboards are visible.
4 votes -
Align to bleed
Have an align to bleed option, anything going to print generally has a 3mm bleed and it would be handy to bet things to align to this instead of the edge of the artboard.
4 votes -
Keeping corner points while dragging an arc.
When I have an arc that has a corner point at one end, dragging the arc changes the line to an unwanted shape even when "Constrain Path Dragging" is turned on in settings. I ALWAYS need those corner points to remain corner points.
I suggest using the SHIFT key to keep them as corners.
Many versions ago (late 80s, early 90s), corner points always remained corner points, and I liked it that way very much!! : ) It made my job so much easier. Since then paths have been a real hassle.
4 votes -
Add Eyedropper Tool to Swatch Options palettte
Add Eyedropper Tool to Swatch Options palette
To pick an existing color and make it a Swatch.
4 votes -
Resize Images Shortcut
When resizing images or objects, there should be a way to constantly have things stay proportionate without having to hold down shift the entire time. I would suggest the caps lock key since it carries the same function when typing out letters.
4 votes -
Bring back colour themes!
Colour themes within Illustrator was awesome! Why remove it, it's terrible in the CC app, and slows down workflow.
It was a nice try, but cut the loss, bring colour themes back and kill it in the stupid CC app (also, kill the CC app, it's useless).
4 votes -
Open Library file
It would be great if the initial Illustrator screen included an "open from Library" option. This may already be there but if it is, it was not obvious enough for me to find 😬. I often want to edit or open library assets and I think it would be great if I didn't have to create a new file in order to be able to open library items.
4 votes -
Remove the 'Drawing Area' (dark grey area behind artboards)
The 'drawing area' behind artboards limits where you can place items (especially masked items that fall off this area), it limits the number of artboards, and limits how freely and where I can place multiple artboards. It also has no purpose at all as far as I can see.
4 votes -
Try to Eliminate Modal Dialogs
There are entirely too many Modal dialog boxes in Illustrator. It would be nice if there were none. Everything that currently pops up and steals focus (completely obscuring everything behind it) should be done in a "settings panel" that can be opened or closed as necessary.
For example, there is nothing so urgent about the line tool that it should require a modal dialog box to open. If I want to configure the settings, they should appear in a panel called "settings" and I should be able to change them easily without having to stop everything, fill out the form, press apply just to come back and do it again in a minute or two.
Realistically, 99% of the modal dialogs Illustrator currently uses are not needed if you just had a Settings Panel that provided access to the tool settings dynamically without stopping your work.
There are entirely too many Modal dialog boxes in Illustrator. It would be nice if there were none. Everything that currently pops up and steals focus (completely obscuring everything behind it) should be done in a "settings panel" that can be opened or closed as necessary.
For example, there is nothing so urgent about the line tool that it should require a modal dialog box to open. If I want to configure the settings, they should appear in a panel called "settings" and I should be able to change them easily without having to stop everything, fill out the form,…
4 votes -
Show Smart guides when using Curvature Tool
When using the curvature tool to creat a symmetric curve, it would be nice when smart guides (to the center) are shown.
4 votes -
Please make TABS easier to use.
Please make TABS easier to use. It's so fiddly trying to get the bottom arrow to pull across for indented bullet list alignment.
4 votes -
When preferences are changed by user, make them permanent so they do not revert back!
What is the point to setting preferences in your application when the app will just default back to original settings when reopened?
Make preferences permanent once set until user changes them.4 votes -
Allow Magic Wand to select items only currently visible in the viewport
it would be super helpful if the Magic Wand could be set to only select what you can see on screen currently. This way you won't accidentally select an item without knowing.
4 votes -
Make an optional Shapes dialogue that works like Figma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGBIc6oJCos
I am in love with these features and could see having an "Advanced Option" set to turn on features like this for quick non-destructive design output.
Thank you! :)
4 votes
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