Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
When entering a new feature request, please provide:
- Description
- Why is this valuable to you?
- or
No existing idea results
- ~ No ideas found ~
4784 results found
-
Allow strokes in brush and pencil tools to be shown in real time while drawing
When you draw lines with freehand tools (pencil/brush), the stroke doesn't show up until after you finish it and release. It just shows as a thin blue line. It doesn't account for thickness so I end up having to redo lines because I can't see what they look line until I finish drawing each line.
13 votes -
Convert to path object - keep object name
When I rasterise a letter or text in Photoshop, the layer keeps the original name.
Why can't Illustrator do the same? I type the letter A and the object in layers has the name "A". If I now change the letter to a Path object, the group is no longer called "A" but "group". What is still ok with one letter, becomes very annoying with 500 letters. Especially when it comes to special characters like ́ ˘ ̧ ̒ ̋ ̏ ̀ ̌ ̦ ̊ ̄ - ̨ ̣ ̇ ̷ ̃ ̈ ^, which are difficult to read in the palette layer anyway.
When I rasterise a letter or text in Photoshop, the layer keeps the original name.
Why can't Illustrator do the same? I type the letter A and the object in layers has the name "A". If I now change the letter to a Path object, the group is no longer called "A" but "group". What is still ok with one letter, becomes very annoying with 500 letters. Especially when it comes to special characters like ́ ˘ ̧ ̒ ̋ ̏ ̀ ̌ ̦ ̊ ̄ - ̨ ̣ ̇ ̷ ̃ ̈ ^, which are difficult to read in…
13 votes -
Arabic language management in non-Arabic versions of illustrator
It is necessary to be able to manage texts in Arabic also in the Italian version of illustrator. At the moment if I copy some Arabic text from Word and paste it on an illustrator text box, all features are lost and it is not possible to work. The solution is just to change the Illustrator language. The handling of Arabic texts should also be able to be used in other language versions.
13 votes -
Split "Scale strokes and Effects" into two options...
Please split the "Scale strokes and effects" into two options, one for strokes, and one for effects. See mockup attached.
13 votes -
Snap to Stroke width option
The addition of the snap-to-glyph functionality that was added to the type tool recently, it could be useful to have the option to snap to the outside width of a stroke (i.e. the where the path would be if a stroke were expanded into a shape), perhaps with a zoom or stroke size threshold to prevent mis-snapping at broader scale.
This could be particularly useful when try to align an object to a path with either a variable width stroke or multiple strokes applied. It would also allow for more precise alignment to the end of open paths that have a rounded or projecting cap applied.
The addition of the snap-to-glyph functionality that was added to the type tool recently, it could be useful to have the option to snap to the outside width of a stroke (i.e. the where the path would be if a stroke were expanded into a shape), perhaps with a zoom or stroke size threshold to prevent mis-snapping at broader scale.
This could be particularly useful when try to align an object to a path with either a variable width stroke or multiple strokes applied. It would also allow for more precise alignment to the end of open paths that have…
13 votes -
Type on a Path Options window Alt+P Preview hotkey
Alt+P doesn’t toggle Preview checkmark in Type on a Path Options dialogue window
13 votes -
Guide Labels
I would love the ability to label my guides. In fact maybe a hole overhaul to the guide system. In After Effects and Premiere you can add Composition Markers, give them comments and adjust their perimeters. It would be great if you could do that for guides.
On the rulers will show a marker. Double clicking the marker will bring up the Guide Controls. or when you select 'New Guide' from the drop down menu, Guide Controls takes place of the window that currently gets displayed.
I would love this across all programs: Photoshop, After Effects, and the like, not just Illustrator.
I would love the ability to label my guides. In fact maybe a hole overhaul to the guide system. In After Effects and Premiere you can add Composition Markers, give them comments and adjust their perimeters. It would be great if you could do that for guides.
On the rulers will show a marker. Double clicking the marker will bring up the Guide Controls. or when you select 'New Guide' from the drop down menu, Guide Controls takes place of the window that currently gets displayed.
I would love this across all programs: Photoshop, After Effects, and the like, not…
13 votes -
Convert to Line effect
If you try to apply 'Convert to Rectangle' effect, Ai will limit you minimal width/height to 0.01mm — not zero. It means we can't use it to create 'lines'. And this is something appearance and styles will hugely benefit from.
Of course, it should allow to set a reference point too:
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-feature-requests/suggestions/32052073-add-reference-point-to-convert-to-shape-effectAnd although we have a Transform effect to deal with the angle, having it for the line is obviously needed.
13 votes -
Dragging with Gradient tool over object without a gradient fill does nothing
I have a path I want to be filled with a gradient.
I select it, pick Gradient tool, drag it over the path... and nothing happens.
WHY.
Because AI demands that you apply gradient fill first.
Well, if I'm dragging over the path with a dedicated tool — what else would I want AI to do? Just apply it in the moment I started dragging.13 votes -
Make all keyboard shortcuts the same between all Adobe products
Why not make all keyboard shortcuts the same across all Abobe Software.
Example:
In Illustrator there is no keybaord shortcut to convert text to caps, but in Indesign and Photoshop its Command.****,KThere are lots keyboard short cuts that are different it would be really amazing if they where all the same across all applications
13 votes -
User Customization of Pan + Zoom Interaction
There are varying requests for dealing with Zoom and Pan interaction.
I myself would like to use [MMB = Pan], and [alt/opt+RMB+drag = Zoom] to have coherence with 3d apps I switch between all day.These are ergonomic functions, subjective to user workflow and comfort, so rather than dictate one or another I suggest making them customizable.
FEATURE GOAL:
- Allow customization of basic interactions [Pan and Zoom] in order to:
-- Enhance ergonomics by meeting users in their comfort zone
-- Increase interaction coherence (become more 'glovelike') within a maximum number of workflows
-- Do so in a way that is 'opt-in' and additive to avoid disruption of current useSUGGESTED CHANGE:
- Add a new preference pane [Preferences / Zoom and Pan] with the following items:Pan [LEARN] / [CLEAR], ["DISPLAY CURRENT BIND"]
Click 'Learn' and tap a key or click a mouse button (MMB or RMB), then tap 'Learn' again to bindZoom [LEARN] / [CLEAR], ["DISPLAY CURRENT BIND"]
Click 'Learn' and tap a key or click a mouse button (MMB or RMB), then tap 'Learn' again to bind (drag mouse while engaged to Zoom in/out)Use Scrollwheel as Zoom [CHECKBOX]
When enabled mouse' scrollwheel Zooms in/out
Notes:
- Current [RMB] context menus will always be accessible by way of [ctl+LMB]
- If raw trackpad finger-touch count is available as an input device to AI I recommend allowing this as an option in addition to mouse and keyboard inputs
- There are a lot of ways to approach this, but as a basic and highly-repetitive interaction method building in some dexterity could make a profound difference for many usersThere are varying requests for dealing with Zoom and Pan interaction.
I myself would like to use [MMB = Pan], and [alt/opt+RMB+drag = Zoom] to have coherence with 3d apps I switch between all day.These are ergonomic functions, subjective to user workflow and comfort, so rather than dictate one or another I suggest making them customizable.
FEATURE GOAL:
- Allow customization of basic interactions [Pan and Zoom] in order to:
-- Enhance ergonomics by meeting users in their comfort zone
-- Increase interaction coherence (become more 'glovelike') within a maximum number of workflows
-- Do so in a way…13 votes -
Using a character other than underscore for appending artboard names when exporting files.
Right now when exporting artboards from an .ai file, illustrator names the file with the original filename and the artboard name, separated by an underscore. I would prefer a dash, as the underscore isn't recognized as a non-word character when double-clicking to select text. Giving the user the able to select the prefix character would solve this problem.
13 votes -
Multipage PDF export in the Asset Export Panel
The Asset Export panel is really great and you can export Artboards as PDF but each artboard is a PDF file.
It will be so great to add a checkbox to export the selected Artboards as a unique Multipage PDF.
Currently you can export in PDF using Save as… PDF, you have to enter manually the pages ranges and it's not memorized for the next export like in Export for Screens (Asset Export panel).13 votes -
Copy Gradient properties
Sometimes I need to add new objects with gradient fill to my design and keep gradient annotators in the same position as another existing object.
It would be great if a function were added that allowed copying the gradient fill properties from one object to another, keeping the gradient annotators in the same position.
On the other hand, when I add a gradient outline to an object with gradient fill, the gradient annotators do not match between the fill and the outline. This difference is more evident the thicker the contour. Adding the option to keep outline gradient annotators in the same position as the fill gradient would be very useful, for example for trapping or bleeding.Sometimes I need to add new objects with gradient fill to my design and keep gradient annotators in the same position as another existing object.
It would be great if a function were added that allowed copying the gradient fill properties from one object to another, keeping the gradient annotators in the same position.
On the other hand, when I add a gradient outline to an object with gradient fill, the gradient annotators do not match between the fill and the outline. This difference is more evident the thicker the contour. Adding the option to keep outline gradient annotators in…13 votes -
Gradient Swatch includes angle and position, please!
Currently a Gradient swatch only includes color and transparency. PLEASE build Illustrator so Gradient Swatches include angle and position!
It's a pain to have to adjust the gradient angle, after a Gradient Swatch attribute has been applied to an object. If the angle were editable and save-able (in the swatch) it would be wonderful!
13 votes -
Remove welcome messages
Please remove the welcome messages "Let's design great graphics today, ... " and "Start a new file fast". They are unnecessary and become annoying when you see them all the time. Besides, to me it is totally irritating when a computer program addresses me with my name and even more when it is not at all intended to make a conversation with.
13 votes -
Remove 'move' function mapping from the Return/Enter key.
The "move" function pop-up menu is activated by both "Shift + Command M" as well as the Return/Enter key. You are able to clear the "Shift + Command M" function by using Edit Keyboard Shortcuts, but the Return/Enter key will still engage this pop-up menu when an object is selected. Being close to the Shift key, it's constantly triggered on accident and it's not (as far as I can tell) currently possible to remove this function from being mapped to the Return/Enter Key.
13 votes -
CID/GID (Character ID/Glyph ID) are displayed in Glyphs panel.
In the case of Japanese, there are many variations of Chinese character, so it is useful to know CID/GID.
Because it does not make a mistake when designing character. Also, I want CID/GID when using many old characters.
A common UI with InDesign is desirable.(Translated to Japanese)
字形パネルにグリフのCID/GIDを表示して欲しい。
日本語の場合、漢字のバリエーションが多いので、IDがわかると便利です。
作字の時などに間違いないようにしたり、また、旧字を多数使用のする時に CID/GID を表示してほしいです。 InDesign と UI を揃えて欲しいです。13 votes -
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 exists for every part of the body, and then those parts are duplicated for left and right profiles, and for whatever other body positions are needed.
Making everything visible to move these complex groups and then turning them all off again to make new art is extremely time-consuming and prone to error over the number of layers that will be turning on and off in Ch.Am I completely wrong? If so please show me a better way.
Thanks in advance for the time...
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 exists…
13 votes -
Have a "lock" option for the gradient annotator, to transform objects without affecting gradients
The gradient annotator adjusts itself when you also adjust the object bigger. I would like for there to be an option where I can have the gradient annotator lock in place while I stretch an object bigger. When I am working on a file that has a gradient to the edge of the artboard but has no bleed, this instance is where this option would be super helpful.
13 votes
- Don't see your idea?