Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
When entering a new feature request, please provide:
- Description
- Why is this valuable to you?
- or
734 results found
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Allow docked tool panels to stack one under another
For now a docked tool panel takes the whole column, not matter how short it is. It forces us to clump all custom tools in one panel. Normal panels can stack any way possible.
Please, give us the possibility to dock tool panels in rows too.Also look related request about separators in tool panels:
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/41861230-bring-back-separators-in-toolboxes-we-can-place-wh15 votes -
Refining pressure sensitivity
Just like pencil drawing refining.
Using tablet, I would like to redefine stroke size with pressure sensitivity when using brushing tools on a selected line.
After the first brushing, it only modifies shape not brush size.Please I'm waiting this for a long time and I'm so surprised it still does not exist.
1 vote -
Full stroke style capabilities in touch workspace
The stroke currently only lets you adjust the size of it, you should also be able to control the style of that stroke, whether you want it to be dashed or the shape of it in the touch workspace.
4 votes -
Key command for scrolling thru blend modes
You know how Photoshop has a quick key command for scrolling thru blend modes? Why not one for Illustrator?
6 votesYou can assign your own custom hotkeys for these commands, using Keyboard Shortcuts dialog: select Tools from the drop-down menu (yes, that’s an unexpected place), and search for ‘blend’ — last two found commands are ‘Blend Mode – Next Mode’ and ‘’Blend Mode – Previous Mode’ — assign any keys you want or use Photoshop-like keys, Shift+Plus and Shift+Minus.
The only difference between Ai and Ps is that Illustrator does not loop the list like Photoshop does… There is another request for this: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/44406693 — please vote there if you believe this should be addressed. -
Save As PDF and PDF Export
Illustrator is long overdue for PDF export. Without PDF export saving a PDF from Illustrator is an arduous, multi-step process that must be repeated every time. There is also a dangerous trap in the process that can make the user’s file uneditable. Compare this to InDesign, which has PDF export and all changes are sticky.
Illustrator
1. File > Save a copy,
2. Change format to PDF,
3. Remove “ copy” from filename,
4. Change directory,
5. Click Save,
6. Enter PDF options,
7. Click Save.InDesign
1. File > Export,
2. Click Export.Because all options in InDesign are…
185 votesThe solution is pushed into Global Availability build 28.6.
PDF is now available as type in File > Export > Export As dialog.
However, File > Adobe PDF Presets menu, similar to one InDesign has, to allow even quicker export, is absent still.
If you want to have it, please upvote this new request here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/48670088
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Similar to Flux Eyedropper Tool Plugin for Adobe InDesign
A tool like Flux Eyedropper Tool for Illustrator would be a game change for faster workflow. I use this for Indesign it's a serious game changer.
https://www.fluxconsulting.com/software/
Instructions and user flow:
1. Hold down the Control + Option keys, then release the Control key.
2. Use the Eyedropper tool as you wish.
3. Release the Option key to return to the tool you were using.3 votes -
Better drivers for monoprice drawing tablet
Drawing with monoprice drawing tablets causes random drawing effects. Trying to draw a straight line will cause loops, be off screen, etc. Only with brush tool currently. Drawing will occur without pressure just hovering above the tablet.
1 vote -
Make Enclosed Selection Mode a permanent option
Illustrator now allows to use Enclosed Mode to select objects within the marquee (originally requested here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/31863601), but the only way to do it is tap E key.
I agree that this basic feature is essential, but I don't agree that any modifier keys or specific dragging directions (like requested here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/49489604) should be required. Shift-drag is already used to add to the selection, so that won't work.
Opt/Alt toggles duplication, and both can be toggled mid-drag (unlike in Photoshop).
This should be a selectable selection mode (also with a hotkey), and in fact there should be a…
20 votesIllustrator today allows to set this mode as a default behavior with the Select Objects only within Marquee option, in Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display.
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Allow ZOOM when using spacebar while scrolling
When holding spacebar to pan over the document, please allow ZOOMING by scrolling on the mouse. Rather than having two separate keys. Quite tedious.
2 votes -
I would like to use the old extrude and bevel feature
the new 3D & Materials feature does not have the same little cube you could manually adjust the perspective on, and instead it is much more tedious having to enter the numbers
I also found it easier to get out a vector version rather than the image it likes to output now
5 votes -
Allow assignable shortcut key for "Convert selected anchor points to smooth (and corner)" action
Would like to assign a shortcut key for both "Convert selected anchor points to smooth" and "Convert selected anchor points to corner" actions, similar to pressing available button when an anchor is selected.
10 votes -
Allow to combine/merge selected text and path to Type on Path
In Ai on iPad we can select a text, hold a spot, and drag the text to a path, converting these to Type on Path. Easy!
To perform this in Ai for Desktop we have to cut the text, pick the proper tool, hold Alt (or use a subtool), click on path (very precisely), paste the text and then adjust the position (dragging tiny handles). Dated.
What we definitely need:
1. Ability to drag and drop a text on a path, using some modifier (Ctrl will do) to stick the text to the path
2. Have a command in Type…25 votes -
Disable Snap to Path
Can someone please explain to me why you can turn off "snap to grid", "snap to pixel", and "snap to point" off, but you can't turn "snap to path" off. It used to be you could just easily turn off "snap", which would turn all forms of snap off. Now, when I'm trying to adjust points on a path, the anchor handles still snap to path. The only way to get it to not snap to path is to zoom very close in. This is problematic when you can't see your entire curve, because you're zoomed in, and you can't …
4 votesDo you have Smart Guides turned on?
Just turn it off and Ai won’t snap handles to paths. -
Alignment options to outside (top, bottom, left, right) of key object
I would really benefit from options to automatically align an object to the outside edge (top/bottom/left/right of its bounding box) of a key object. For example, "Align below" would put the top edge of the bounding box of the repositioned object flush with and below the bottom edge of the bounding box of the key object.
While I can try to achieve the same results by dragging the object around and using smart guides and snapping, that may require a lot of time (and a little luck) when there are several nearby objects that smart guides are being generated from,…
11 votes -
More fields to Smart Guides angles
Have you ever required to customize Illustrator more, well, this is a feature that is here a long time ago and it would be nice to have more options: In Preferences > Smart Guides, we should have more options to add custom angles, since six fields are falling short. Is this doable?
8 votes -
Make custom layers outside of artboards visible in Trim View
Sometimes when using Trim view I do want to see other items shown. Like Notes or measurements that are outside of the artboard, But I still want the preview of Trim View to hide bleed and artwork that extends beyond. I wish that inside the layer Options Settings. there was a checkbox to show in Trim View, so items on that layer are still visible when trim view is active
3 votes -
Custom keyboard shortcuts for File Commands should work when no document is open.
Because custom keyboard shortcuts only work when a file is open, some File Commands like New from Template don't work when you would need it.
0 votes -
Add Axis Constraints, to restrict transformations to a chosen axis
Some 3D editors allow to limit moving to a chosen axis/axes.
3DS Max has a dedicated floating panel with buttons, and Blender allows to hold a key to force it: https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/scene_layout/object/editing/transform/control/axis_locking.htmlIn Ai we can hold Shift, but the axis chosen depends on the position of the cursor, and it’s not the same.
Please make it possible to use X/Y keys (similar to the recent E key for Enclosed selection Mode) to actually choose a preferred axis. Perhaps Z can be used for 45°? :)Original idea by Junior Rocha
6 votes -
Estimate file size before PNG and other formats export
I would love to save an estimate of file size before exporting PNGs, that way I could adjust the resolution to suit my needs. I would be really useful for exporting files for web for example.
3 votes -
Allow Scale adjustment when creating New Document
Many times as a designer you have to create artwork that is a fraction of the final scale. It would be nice if you could enter the final size in inches or feet, and then hit a dropdown that would have different fractions of scale (1/8, 1/4, 1/2 etc.) and then illustrator could compute the appropriate numbers. It could also scale down the bleed area as well.
12 votes
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