Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
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4700 results found
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Group Overlapping Objects
A very casual and time-consuming operation, especially because we lost Object Lasso (https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/44462988-bring-back-object-lasso-tool) — drag a marquee around objects, hit Gtrl+G, drag another, group again... repeat dozens of time, especially if you draw icons or something similar for stocks.
What if Illustrator was able to do it for us?
Scan the selection, search for overlapping objects and create groups?What if it could do that in two modes: simple, by intersecting boundaries, and advanced, when true outlines being checked?
What if it could do that with a tolerance also? Like if object are, say, 10 pixels apart, group them still?
There is a script by John Wundes — https://github.com/johnwun/js4ai/blob/master/groupOverlappingObjects.js — which can do that, but it starts to skid on hundreds of objects and only does the boundaries check.
A very casual and time-consuming operation, especially because we lost Object Lasso (https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/44462988-bring-back-object-lasso-tool) — drag a marquee around objects, hit Gtrl+G, drag another, group again... repeat dozens of time, especially if you draw icons or something similar for stocks.
What if Illustrator was able to do it for us?
Scan the selection, search for overlapping objects and create groups?What if it could do that in two modes: simple, by intersecting boundaries, and advanced, when true outlines being checked?
What if it could do that with a tolerance also? Like if object are, say, 10 pixels apart, group…
20 votes -
Add Fit to Artboard option to Rectangle Tool
In the current situation, enter the size of the Rectangle by writing numbers or drawing it manually
My suggestion is to add a feature inside the Rectangle box (Fit to artboard)
I think this feature will save a lot of time
For clarification, see the attachment
20 votes -
Curvature Combs and Tunni lines
Two ideas, both aimed at creating smoother curves:
curvature combs:
an additional visual aid that could be enabled/disabled via hotkey or option on a panel that assists the artist/user in evaluating whether a curve is continuously smooth, or whether it needs adjustment. See this blog for a quick coded breakdown:
https://observablehq.com/@jrus/curvature-comb
see this webpage for more traditional curvature combs with lines perpendicular to the curved path, in proportion to the path's curvature at that point:
http://www.bluesmith.co.uk/evaluateComb.htmTunni lines:
an additional assist/handle for helping a user more precisely adjust a curve (or multiple curves), both symmetrically and asymmetrically.
See this example as implemented in FontLab:
https://help.fontlab.com/fontlab-vi/Tunni-Lines/
See this webpage for another examples, of each of these ideas:
http://www.corvelsoftware.co.uk/software/supertool/Note that I'm not suggesting that the illustrator team rip-off anybody else's software, but I think these sorts of tools/assists would be handy for quite a few users who require more than the typical "eyeball-it" precision illustrator offers currently.
Two ideas, both aimed at creating smoother curves:
curvature combs:
an additional visual aid that could be enabled/disabled via hotkey or option on a panel that assists the artist/user in evaluating whether a curve is continuously smooth, or whether it needs adjustment. See this blog for a quick coded breakdown:
https://observablehq.com/@jrus/curvature-comb
see this webpage for more traditional curvature combs with lines perpendicular to the curved path, in proportion to the path's curvature at that point:
http://www.bluesmith.co.uk/evaluateComb.htmTunni lines:
an additional assist/handle for helping a user more precisely adjust a curve (or multiple curves), both symmetrically and asymmetrically.
See this example…
20 votes -
Spring Loaded tools
Over in Photoshop, it's possible to hold the single-letter shortcut for activating a tool, and to then release the key to return to your previously-used tool.
In many ways, this is not useful in Illustrator, but in several, it's invaluable. The Zoom tool, in particular--I'd like to be able to hold Z, adjust the zoom, and release Z to be back on the selection tool (or whatever i was previously using).
The Hand tool already works this way: Take out a tool like Selection (v), and then hold spacebar to get the Hand tool. Drag the canvas around, then release Space to return to using the selection tool.
This "spring loaded" behavior is great in the hand tool and could be similarly useful in the following tools, where a quick "adjustment" with the mouse would naturally be made while the tool key is held.
Zoom
Eyedropper
Paintbrush/Pencil
Eraser
Shape Builder
Direct SelectionAdditionally, these functions would benefit, but are not single-key shortcuts by default:
Width tool
Rotate, Scale, Shear
Blob Bush
Bloat, Pucker, Warp, Twirl, Scallop, Crystalize, WrinkleThere may, of course, be others, but these are the main ones I can think of that do not rely on a modal settings box or panel to do their work, and which primarily involve visual adjustments by clicking and dragging with the mouse and without (usually) needing modifier keys. As such, each would benefit greatly from being "spring loaded."
(Symbol Sprayer and its variants might also benefit, but generally require modifier keys)
Over in Photoshop, it's possible to hold the single-letter shortcut for activating a tool, and to then release the key to return to your previously-used tool.
In many ways, this is not useful in Illustrator, but in several, it's invaluable. The Zoom tool, in particular--I'd like to be able to hold Z, adjust the zoom, and release Z to be back on the selection tool (or whatever i was previously using).
The Hand tool already works this way: Take out a tool like Selection (v), and then hold spacebar to get the Hand tool. Drag the canvas around, then release…
20 votes -
Change line color and fill color of groups in one click
Let say you have multiple groups existing of line segments and filled objects (lines and circles for example). If I want to change the color of the lines and objects of a group, by clicking on a group, that is not possible. Or all line segments get a fill too or all the objects get a line too.
To fix this, I have to go inside the group, select all the objects, change the fill and then select all the line segments and change the line color.
A button to change the color of all line segments and the color of all object fills of a group (in one color) at once, that would be awesome.
For everybody out there maintaining icon libraries for example, this would be a massive time saving feature.
If this feature is already there please let me know!
Let say you have multiple groups existing of line segments and filled objects (lines and circles for example). If I want to change the color of the lines and objects of a group, by clicking on a group, that is not possible. Or all line segments get a fill too or all the objects get a line too.
To fix this, I have to go inside the group, select all the objects, change the fill and then select all the line segments and change the line color.
A button to change the color of all line segments and the color…
20 votes -
Add and remove Hunspell dictionaries in different languages as in InDesign - PLEASE...
Please add support for Hunspell dictionaries in Illustrator. Users from countries which languages aren't supported feel discriminated, because we pay the same price for the software as the others.
20 votes -
Previous/Next Artboard hotkeys should be able to keep zoom
Right now Ai also does 'Fit Artboard in Window' when any of artboard navigation hotkeys are used. I’d like also be able to keep zoom level when navigating artboards.
20 votes -
Custom Bleed amount for each Artboard
Custom Bleed for each Artboard
Sometimes I have alot of different arboards.. Business cards and Banners.. the business cards need 1/8" bleed but the banners need 1/4"
being able to customize bleed per artboard would be very helpful
20 votes -
'Reverse Order' option for Transform Effect
When you set several copies in Transform effect, Illustrator makes them stack under original art, 'going backwards'. Sometimes it's better to have an opposite behaviour, with copies stacking up, 'towards' viewer.
Please add this checkbox near 'Copies" field.
20 votes -
Delete artboard(s) with content
Be able to delete artboard with content. One or many pages.
20 votes -
Copy/pasting text from illustrator into other text editors
I can't copy text from illustrator and paste into Word, gmail, Notes, Google Docs... anything! It makes it so I have to retype everything which is insane. I used to be able to copy from illustrator into other text editing tools. Why not anymore?
20 votes -
Allow freeform gradient points to leave boundaries
In the freeform gradient tool if points are dragged outside of the boundaries it deletes the point. Instead I think it would be better if the points worked outside boundaries to allow for smoother gradients.
See example on how a freeform gradient would appear if points could used outside of the borders (you can currently do it by using a clipping mask but it would be easier if it was built into the tool)
20 votes -
Make AI remember active layer and reselect it when file is opened
I have some templates, where working layer is not topmost (others are locked and/or hidden).
But AI always set focus on the topmost one when file is loaded. So when I or other people try to edit freshly opened/created file, they have have a message about lock/visibility.
Please make AI remember what layer is active when file is saved.20 votes -
Text to outlines on save PDF
My printers require fonts to be outlined. This is a huge hassle. I need to convert everything to outlines, save the PDF, and then remember to undo my outlining before I save the AI file.
20 votes -
Let the "." on the numeric keypad work as a decimal separator for all countries.
In Dutch, we user the comma as a decimal separator. (0,5 is how we write a half)
Lots of use use the International English keyboard, and the English versions of Adobe CC. But for some reason Illustrator refuses to recognize the "." on the numeric keypad as a separator. When I type "7,2" Illustrator show this correctly in the input fields, but when hitting enter, it makes "72", just skipping the comma.
Please make a Preference to set the "." or "," on the numpad always to act as a decimal separator.20 votes -
Add paragraph return (^p) as a special character in Find and Replace window
Find and Replace text has a shortcut popup for a Forced Line Break, ^n, but not the more common simple Paragraph return, ^p.
A Paragraph return is the normal Return button on all keyboards. A forced line break is Shift/Enter.
Find/Replace understands ^n notation for a forced line break, but does not understand ^p notation for a paragraph return.
20 votes -
Add numerical control over light sources in 3D Extrude & Bevel Effect Options
When applying and tweaking 3D Extrude & Bevel Effect, user has to manipulate light by precise mouse twitching over the small sphere.
It should be at least twice as big to provide fine control (I won't note this as separate request), but there should also be numerical fields to control the lights' position over sphere — angle, elevation, choose any.Also, why Depth and Height values there are immune to document Units settings? 56.96pt is nonsense to me, while 20mm makes sense.
20 votes -
Improve and allow customize the 'Show' info slot in the bottom bar (next to horizontal scrollbar)
Show field next to zoom and artboard selectors below work area can now show 5 things:
current artboard name, which is nowhere else is seen except Artboards palette;
current Tool, that is usually visible if Tools panel is on;
current date-time, which is visible in system clock;
number of undos, which was quite useful when RAM was tiny;
current profile, which is visible in document header.
I mean, almost every info available is also available in other place!I would like to use this field as something exclusive:
number of selected objects (nowhere to be seen, only PathScribe plugin can show this in separate palette);
snapping status (grid/point/guides/smart on/off — we have to try now, or go to Preferences or drop down View command);
scaling effects/strokes status (on/off — try or go Preferences too);
current layer;
mouse clicks (I remember it was hidden, I miss it, it was useful as internal timer, but I don't miss eyes/moon/Ted/etc).Show field next to zoom and artboard selectors below work area can now show 5 things:
current artboard name, which is nowhere else is seen except Artboards palette;
current Tool, that is usually visible if Tools panel is on;
current date-time, which is visible in system clock;
number of undos, which was quite useful when RAM was tiny;
current profile, which is visible in document header.
I mean, almost every info available is also available in other place!I would like to use this field as something exclusive:
number of selected objects (nowhere to be seen, only PathScribe plugin can…20 votes -
A big persistent Color palette offering RGB and HSB and Grayscale at a glance.
When making Illustrations, I switch between RGB / HSB and Grayscale all the time. I have a 30" screen - room enough to show all mixers all the time.
Please make this possible.20 votes -
Allow tool bar to be horizontal
Now that the properties has been finally set in the right panel, I love it! This allows me to have the layers set in the left panel. Next step, It would be nice to have the ability to set the tool bar above or below horizontally.
20 votes
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