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Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests

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365 results found

  1. Release to Layers should inherit custom names from original objects

    When I Release to Layers, all of the objects within that layer are renamed to "Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3" etc. and I'd love to be able to have the new layers be named the same as when they were objects.

    43 votes

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    16 comments  ·  Layers  ·  Admin →
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  2. 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.

    77 votes

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    29 comments  ·  Layers  ·  Admin →
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  3. Export for screens should exclude template layers

    When exporting for screens, any layers which are set as template or non-printing should be excluded from the output without having to first turn off that layer.

    18 votes

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  4. Export Individual Layers separately

    Now we can only export the multiple art boards on one layer at a time. Please make it possible to select more than one layer and export those to files.

    It would save a ton of time when we have multiple images to export from like dartboards stacked up on multiple layers.

    9 votes

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  5. AUTO NUMBER LAYERS?

    As a graphic designer I often work with illustrator files that have thousands of layers, these layers are very well organized in folders, I would like to suggest that illustrator add a function allowing users like me to auto number every layer. The layer number would be visible on each layer . This would let me quickly identify a layer with a specific number and then return to that layer later if I want to read manipulate the artwork there. It would also be great if I could, I.e. right click layer X X X and asked to move…

    5 votes

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  6. import autocad layers

    when importing a file from autocad, regardless of which version its saved as the layers are not preserved and every object appears as a separate item under 1 layer. What a nightmare. I only purchased Illustrator to present our CAD drawings and it cant even do that properly, waste of money. User interface is logicless and not at all intuitive, totally reliant on youtube tutorial videos and web search solutions.

    6 votes

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  7. An option for Release to Layers to create top-level layers

    The Release to Layers always generate layers inside LAYER.
    How about create an option that generate this layers OUTSIDE main layer and delete the last empty layer after remove the layers with objects to outside.
    I always do this process to send layers for after effects.
    PLUS > Add TAB options like photoshop to rename layers faster OR create a rename tool to do this task easier.
    Layer1 to Ball01
    Layer2 to Ball02
    Layer3 to Ball03
    Layer4 to Ball04
    Layer5 to Ball05...

    1 vote

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    1 comment  ·  Layers  ·  Admin →
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  8. DWG Export - export Visible layers only

    Have an option to export only visible layers to DWG.
    When exporting a DWG have an option to export only visible layers,
    this would work in a similar way to export selected items only, but would save unlocking all layers you want to export and selecting the items.

    3 votes

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  9. Keep Layers from PDF when opening the file in Illustrator.

    We use InDesign to do packaging design, usually having multiple variations of the same general design. We then export as PDF and have some vendors who like to get .AI files instead. The problem we are facing, is that when we save the PDFs with Layers (from InDesign), they all flatten when we open the file in Illustrator. There needs to be a way to preserve the PDF layers when opening in Illustrator.

    37 votes

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  10. Create option to change order & position in which layers are duplicated or copy/pasted in the layers panel

    Layer organization is extremely important to my work. I'm constantly duplicating layers using the select + alt feature, and constantly having to re-order layers because they automatically get placed above the layer I'm working on. I would like the option to make my duplicated layers go immediately below the layer I'm working on.

    I would also like the option for copy/pasted layers to go immediately above/below the original layer, or all the way at the bottom.

    I spoke to an Adobe rep on chat and they said this isn't currently possible.

    4 votes

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    4 comments  ·  Other...  ·  Admin →
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  11. Being able to colour Group as well as layers in the Layers Panel

    Want to be Being able to colour Object Groups as well as layers in the Layers Panel

    1 vote

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  12. Allow eyedropper to ignore locked layers.

    Allowing the eyedropper to optionally ignore the contents of locked layers would be very useful. Having a locked layer with transparency above an active layer and trying to sample a line weight, only to sample the fill or other attributes of a transparent object that you're working "through" is very frustrating.

    9 votes

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  13. Pin valuable layers to top of layer stack

    Being able to pin a certain layers which I use alot to the top of the stack would be useful to me. Would save scrolling to find those layers.

    When new layers are created, pinned layers would still appear at the top. 😁

    1 vote

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    1 comment  ·  Layers  ·  Admin →
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  14. Export multiple Illustrator layers into Photoshop's PATH Palette, as multiple PATH layers, in one command

    Instead of the current and ONLY way to bring a path from Illustrator to Photoshop (copy the layer in IL and paste it in PS, one by tedious one), how about an EXPORT IL LAYERS to PATHS PALETTE IN PS option in the dropdown? Or, if you can't do that, how about adding an option to save an IL file with a 'new' file extension (.pal?) which would open in PS with ALL the Illustrator layers intact, separate and distinct, AND STILL ALIGNED WITH EACH OTHER, in the Photoshop Paths Palette?

    6 votes

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  15. Sort layers and objects in alphabetical order

    Allow to re-order content in Layers in alphabetical order

    4 votes

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    4 comments  ·  Layers  ·  Admin →
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  16. Create New Layers by Dragging and Dropping Groups or Objects from Original Layers

    Please give us the ability to drag and drop Objects in-between Layers in order to create new Layers--without having to "Collect in New Layer."

    On top of that, please retain the object's name as the Layer name when doing this action.

    2 votes

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  17. Duplicate Layers with sequential numbering rather than "copy"

    When you duplicate a layer it would be much better if, rather than the XXXX copy suffix the duplicate layer was numbered. And preferably numbered XXX_0001 (or a format one could specify in the Preferences). This would make working with layers much much easier - especially when working with After Effects.

    16 votes

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  18. Allow color coded top layers

    Please allow us to color code the top layer/s. For those whom have to work with 30 plus layers the tiny color slice indicator (which is just the color of the selected vector line, not the layer) is not enough. If I could color code the layers it would speed up my job significantly and our company. Thank you!

    2 votes

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  19. Move Hidden Layers with Parent

    I can't Move Hidden layers, groups, and objects if they are part of a group. Even if I click the targe icon, nothing hidden selects.

    Sincerest apologies to those familiar with the workflow in Illustrator but coming from photoshop it is mind-boggling that a Parent object does not move its children along with it just because they are invisible.
    Photoshop handles this exactly as one would expect and moves hidden items. Just because I can't see it doesn't also mean that it behaves as if locked.

    Context: when building a character for Character Animator a very complex grouping structure…

    13 votes

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  20. fix the Layers palette; modernize it.

    The layers Palette in Illustrator Predates most Design apps out there. Because of that, many of its behaviors are critically out dated and in great need of a top - bottom update.

    some critical things to fix:
    1. Selection tracking should be unified. Selecting in the Layers palette should ALSO select the elements in the document. Throw away the confusing 2nd step there.

    1. naming. make it more flexible. IE: add built in options for the renaming that occurs when you copy a Layer. Add the ability to rename selected layers with one text entry. Add to that, a simple Scripting…

    3 votes

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