Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
When entering a new feature request, please provide:
- Description
- Why is this valuable to you?
- or
4721 results found
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Perspective mode for Free Distort effect
Free Distort effects, being a bit outdated with it's detached preview window, comes out Super Tool with Stylism plugin installed. But it could do so much better if there would be a tick, that turns distortion into a perspective one, as the tool with the same name allows to do. That would allow us to distort stuff live in perspective (and omit using overcomplicated Perspective Grid for small tasks).
14 votes -
Allow to refine pressure Touch Calligraphy brushes with Width Tool
Allow the Width Tool to apply changes to Touch Calligraphy brush strokes.
14 votes -
Forced column break
Can we get some decent text handling features that mimic at least fundamental options such as column breaks and a table feature within Illustrator? It's been 30 years now can't you get this done for once and for all?
14 votes -
Bring Back Hold Shift to Restrict Gradient Movement
In prior versions of Illustrator, when adjusting the composition of a gradient using the Gradient tool, you used to be able to hold Shift to constrict the gradients movement to the Y or X axis.
Please bring this back as it is a quick and seamless way to align the gradient composition exactly instead of eyeballing it.
14 votes -
Lock angle of bezier handles (hotkey-selectable)
When drawing with the pen tool, it would be very helpful to be able to lock the angle of the control point handles when drawing the next segment.
The function works well for the existing fixed snap angles (90-deg, etc) but I would love to have a hotkey to temporarily lock the existing (arbitrary) angle of the point as I draw the next segment.
Currently, I find it too easy to destroy a perfectly placed curve while drawing the next segment--particularly when the in- and out- handles have dramatically different lengths.
14 votes -
Customizable "MOJIKUMI (Typesetting)" as same as InDesign.
In the case of Japanese, arranging characters beautifully is directly related to the readability of the text, so typesetting is regarded as important.
Japanese typesetting is delicate and very difficult.
I would like an equivalent type engine for InDesign.
A common UI with InDesign is desirable.(Translated to Japanese)
文字組設定をInDesign並みにカスタムできるようにしてほしい。
日本語の場合、美しく文字を並べることが、テキストの読みやすさに直結するので、文字組みは重要視されます。
日本語の文字組みは繊細でとても難しいです。
InDesign並の組版エンジンがあればと思います。 共通UIが望ましい。14 votes -
JSON for ExtendScript
JSON is a standard JavaScript data format. Considering how close ExtendScript is to JavaScript it is very baffling that common functions like JSON.parse and JSON.stringify are not supported.
Support for JSON would be very appreciated.
14 votes -
Python scripting support
Illustrator supports vbscript and javascript... But not Python. Python support would be awesome - it's a very common language, easy to use, has lots and lots of libraries to simplify workflows etc.
14 votes -
Provide SVG output scaling option (with 96 ppi default)
When using Save As... SVG, Illustrator sets the bounding box pixel dimensions in the SVG header using 72 pixels per inch. So a 10" x 10" artboard will produce an SVG file with its pixel dimensions set to 720px x 720px. This is a very old-fashioned default scaling, since every other modern application I have encountered displays imported SVGs using 96 dpi . This means each SVG produced by Illustrator appears to shrink when imported into almost any other modern application. Please either:
a) Change Illustrator's default scaling calculation to use 96 dpi.
b) Provide an option/switch in the SVG Options window to allow selection of the scaling method - with the default set to 96!When using Save As... SVG, Illustrator sets the bounding box pixel dimensions in the SVG header using 72 pixels per inch. So a 10" x 10" artboard will produce an SVG file with its pixel dimensions set to 720px x 720px. This is a very old-fashioned default scaling, since every other modern application I have encountered displays imported SVGs using 96 dpi . This means each SVG produced by Illustrator appears to shrink when imported into almost any other modern application. Please either:
a) Change Illustrator's default scaling calculation to use 96 dpi.
b) Provide an option/switch in the SVG…14 votes -
Additional Scripts Folder in Preferences
In the Preferences we have the ability to define an "Additional Plug-ins Folder" and that will really useful to have the same option for Scripts, specially in enterprise where you don't have the admin right.
Plus, that will allow to easily disable the Scripts if needed.14 votes -
Selling older products at lower price based on their version
Copy of what I posted here https://forums.adobe.com/message/10555191
I want to make a suggestion, it might be profitable for Adobe. (IDK where to post it, but like a feedback)
1st of all, big fan of illustrator, and quite loved it when I used it for arts that captivated even my teachers
Examples of what I did on my free time:
Vector Artwork - Group 57 CyberCap by thunder-of-light on DeviantArt (made 2 head-shots per day, and I am the only one with colored eyes)
Ben Franklin taking a selfie by thunder-of-light on DeviantArtTake note I really, REALLY hate piracy (I am the supportive type), but I also dislike that some things I can't even afford or even access (no internet at my place, so monthly payments are out of the question for the time being).
- I want to actually buy a legit copy of Adobe series, one it gives me joy of support to the creators, and I don't feel down when using them.
I got little to no money, but I wanted to save up for such programs.
I do not trust E-Bay, Amazon, and the sort, bad experience of buying illegal copies at first, had to report them but got no money back. Never bought once since then.
Anyhow to the main point of my suggestion:
Selling older products at lower price based on their version on your website. In a way it's a form of anti-piracy, it does encourage people to actually buy a less risky platform, and even add some level of support, not only to adobe but most people's self confidence.
I would love to at least see your starting programs, might be relics, but they did start your business. (I do keep some relics games at my place, even an old Pokemon yellow cartridge, due to fond memories).
Reason why it is important to me, is that I studied with Illustrator, Photoshop, and even Flash, yet while trying to experience the "Free" variety (such as inkscape)... it doesn't really give the same shortcuts for work.
Copy of what I posted here https://forums.adobe.com/message/10555191
I want to make a suggestion, it might be profitable for Adobe. (IDK where to post it, but like a feedback)
1st of all, big fan of illustrator, and quite loved it when I used it for arts that captivated even my teachers
Examples of what I did on my free time:
Vector Artwork - Group 57 CyberCap by thunder-of-light on DeviantArt (made 2 head-shots per day, and I am the only one with colored eyes)
Ben Franklin taking a selfie by thunder-of-light on DeviantArtTake note I really, REALLY hate piracy (I…
14 votes -
Discard all Overprints
I work specifically in digital prepress for POP displays, and never use overprinting at all. Removing overprinting from a document can be a hassle as I work with documents that almost always contain a mix of solid objects, linked raster images and other things. I consider myself extremely lucky when I find a document that I can easily remove all overprints from in one go
Illustrator already has a "Discard white overprints" in the document setup (although I rarely use this menu). We should either have a menu option to remove all overprints from a document, or at least an option in the document setup to remove ALL overprints instead of just white.
I work specifically in digital prepress for POP displays, and never use overprinting at all. Removing overprinting from a document can be a hassle as I work with documents that almost always contain a mix of solid objects, linked raster images and other things. I consider myself extremely lucky when I find a document that I can easily remove all overprints from in one go
Illustrator already has a "Discard white overprints" in the document setup (although I rarely use this menu). We should either have a menu option to remove all overprints from a document, or at least an…
14 votes -
Save Illustrator and PDF at the same time
I usually save my original Illustrator file and save a PDF for proofing purposes; but usually I make updates to the illustrator file; so I have to save it again as PDF; I think it would be cool to add a check box to the save window asking you if you would like to update your PDF reflecting the updated changes on the Illustrator file.
14 votes -
Artboard Switching and Zoom Level
Zoom level should be maintained when switching between artboards, whether it be by clicking between them in the Artboards panel, CMD+PgUp / CMD+PgDwn or in the status bar.
14 votes -
Export for Screen Quality of export
Not sure if it has been asked or discussed (spent way to much time searching for it and not finding it) but the "export for screens" exports terrible quality - mostly for jpg.
The quality is jagged and blurry when exporting a large graphic with text that has been outlined. Yet, when I use the legacy export for the same width and size I want, the quality is far superior whilst still having a small footprint in size.
Why is the legacy export, in any format, so much better than the "export for screens" that you have made default?
Often times I have to make the image the size I want taking a 2000 x 1000 artboard image and shrinking it to 500 x 250 and then use Export As to keep the image quality at max.
I am using 22.1 version of illustrator.
Not sure if it has been asked or discussed (spent way to much time searching for it and not finding it) but the "export for screens" exports terrible quality - mostly for jpg.
The quality is jagged and blurry when exporting a large graphic with text that has been outlined. Yet, when I use the legacy export for the same width and size I want, the quality is far superior whilst still having a small footprint in size.
Why is the legacy export, in any format, so much better than the "export for screens" that you have made default?
Often…
14 votesPlease provide comparison screenshots for the designs you can see a clear difference between these two export methods.
There is a related bug report, and perhaps the quality discussed here is actually a bug: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447/suggestions/38987995
Even if it’s somethings else, it’s not OK the request about image quality does not have a single image as an example. Please share!
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Save \ Export into Multiple Formats at once
It would be a HUGE time saving feature.
It is such a waste of time to have to save each individual file I am working on separately. It would be great for instance to be able to save in both ai and pdf formats at the same time. As well as being able to save every file simultaneously in the chosen format / version.
Saving files in Illustrator is a truly tedious, long drawn out affair.
And of course being able to save in the background so you do not get locked out of other files you are currently working on.It would be a HUGE time saving feature.
It is such a waste of time to have to save each individual file I am working on separately. It would be great for instance to be able to save in both ai and pdf formats at the same time. As well as being able to save every file simultaneously in the chosen format / version.
Saving files in Illustrator is a truly tedious, long drawn out affair.
And of course being able to save in the background so you do not get locked out of other files you are currently working…14 votes -
Ctrl+Scroll to zoom instead of Alt+scroll in Windows
Can you please add an option or something to change the zoom shortcut from ALT+Scroll to CTRL+Scroll?
Because in Windows the ALT button activates the app menu which is pretty stupid! Or at least disable the activation of the app menu with the ALT button.For example I zoom in using ALT+Scroll and now I want to select the Type tool using T on the keyboard and I get the Type drop down menu from the top (see attached screenshot).
And as you can see this can become very frustrating especially when spending hours in Illustrator!Btw please don't suggest other zooming methods as I like this one the best since it's the most useful and quicker.
Also the same goes for Photoshop as well on Windows.Can you please add an option or something to change the zoom shortcut from ALT+Scroll to CTRL+Scroll?
Because in Windows the ALT button activates the app menu which is pretty stupid! Or at least disable the activation of the app menu with the ALT button.For example I zoom in using ALT+Scroll and now I want to select the Type tool using T on the keyboard and I get the Type drop down menu from the top (see attached screenshot).
And as you can see this can become very frustrating especially when spending hours in Illustrator!Btw please don't suggest…
14 votesEnabling 'Force Enable Pinch-to-Zoom on Touchpad' option in Preferences > General makes Ctrl + Scroll for zoom work
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Introduce bevel joint clamp values for strokes
Adobe's miter limit is something quite weird. I was lucky to find and bookmark this article to learn it, finally:
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/mswanson/2006/03/24/miter-limits-in-illustrator-and-wpf/As you can see, AI have no tools for defining how much of a stroke would be cut when joint is beveled. I want some.
14 votes -
Center point invisible while moving object with dragging
Center point (set in Attributes palette with 'Show Center' button which is default for Live Rectangle and Ellipses) becomes invisible when you drag an object. And because I often use center to match position to certain point on a grid, I cant properly position object and get angry.
Hulk illustrate!
Please see animation attached for clarification.14 votes -
More Pattern Tiling Options
In Illustrator, it would be some next level powerful stuff if we could tile patterns based on shapes like these attached (as well as just blocks and hexagon). They are all based on a single shape that tessellates.
14 votes
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