Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
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4664 results found
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Create new documents with a 'Plus' button or a double-click in the document tabs area
Document Tabs is a well-known paradigm, thanks to browsers.
Since many of us spend a lot of time with browsers, we expect the same functionality form tabs’ headers in Illustrator.One of them is a middle-click to close a tab (https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/38150188-add-middle-click-to-close-document), another is remember opened tabs on relaunch (https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/44819065-launch-illustrator-with-the-same-opened-documents).
There are others.But the most prominent one is the Plus button to the right (in LTR world) of the last tab, which creates a new document.
Sure, one can hit Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+N, or go File > New, but sometimes we are lazy, and the other hand is used to hold the head or a cup of tea.
Accessibility and consistency are great.BTW, Corel Draw already has it.
And if you want to make a step further — do the same with a double-click in that area as well. It’s like a super long button (when you have little tabs opened).
Document Tabs is a well-known paradigm, thanks to browsers.
Since many of us spend a lot of time with browsers, we expect the same functionality form tabs’ headers in Illustrator.One of them is a middle-click to close a tab (https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/38150188-add-middle-click-to-close-document), another is remember opened tabs on relaunch (https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/44819065-launch-illustrator-with-the-same-opened-documents).
There are others.But the most prominent one is the Plus button to the right (in LTR world) of the last tab, which creates a new document.
Sure, one can hit Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+N, or go File > New, but sometimes we are lazy, and the other hand is…
8 votes -
As introduced in Photoshop the Warp option for Cylinder should be in illustrator
It will be much easier to use the warp on a cylinder in vector art, it was introduced in Photoshop. If I’m working on a design in Adobe illustrator and want to warp some text or a label on a bottle
why not stay in vector art, instead of using photoshop?8 votesThere is a way to do the same exact distortion in Illustrator, using a free MeshTormentor plugin (please see the full instruction in the comments).
However, an easier native way to do it is still welcome (as the general improvements over mesh distortion capabilities) — so please keep voting for this if you want it to happen.
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Hitting Alt+Down does not open dropdown lists
I expect Alt+Down to drop down focused lists with options inside, like Font Family / Style, Stroke Weight, etc.
Sure, I understand it might conflict with duplicating, but in fact no, since Ai does not duplicate when a field is focused anyway. At the same time, it’s a common and expected behaviour in other applications.
8 votes -
Mesh tool hold and drag
When we click a shape with the Mesh tool, a node gets immediately applied to the shape/mesh, a new row and a column get instantly inserted. If I keep holding the mouse button / pen, it won’t help me anymore to position my node precisely. So the insertion should not happen immediately on a mouse click, but on a mouse release, drawing all the possible results while the button / pen is held down.
8 votes -
A brush that places elements on anchors
I would like a brush that places its elements along the path but rather than just distributing the elements or scattering them, it places the elements exactly on the anchors of the path. It should not distort the elements.
It would be great if it could have individual elements for the endpoints and for the inner points. More control would be possible if it could allow separate elements for corner points and for smooth points. That way objects could be placed along a path precisely.Use case: maps, metro lines maps infographics
8 votes -
Add a new API to delete the swatch
There is a problem with global gradient swatches, described at https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/908050/suggestions/44461230
Illustrator applies changes to all copies of a gradient in a document when this gradient is changed via a script. It makes sense from a practical point of view, but is devastating for scripts in general.
We can’t duplicate gradients with a script properly, like we can do with any other swatch, because when it's done, the gradient swatch get forcibly added to Swatches and then corrupt the art which uses them when deleted... and it does not break this global link anyway.
At the moment we copy a gradient into the swatch, it will be associated with the first object. If we repaint the swatch to use it for another object, the first object will change its fill momentarily. Just like the video from the issue above shows — https://illustrator.uservoice.com/assets/235626175/linked-gradients-bug.mp4
So we 'instance' gradients instead of 'duplicating' them.
Creating a new gradient via script also creates a new swatch. Deleting either the new gradient or the new swatch also deletes the other. If the need is to get rid of the swatch but not the gradient, that doesn’t look to be possible via with the current APIs. Perhaps we need a new API to delete just the swatch and not the associated global (gradient, pattern etc.).Having this will allow us to keep gradient changes on one object from affecting other objects. To duplicate, a new gradient will be created and a copy of all gradient properties (type, number of stops, stops) will be performed, via existing app.activeDocument.gradients.add()
Then we will be able to delete the swatch with a new API without crashing Illustrator.There is a problem with global gradient swatches, described at https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/908050/suggestions/44461230
Illustrator applies changes to all copies of a gradient in a document when this gradient is changed via a script. It makes sense from a practical point of view, but is devastating for scripts in general.
We can’t duplicate gradients with a script properly, like we can do with any other swatch, because when it's done, the gradient swatch get forcibly added to Swatches and then corrupt the art which uses them when deleted... and it does not break this global link anyway.
At the moment we copy…
8 votes -
Embedding Linked Illustrator content should embed the native content instead of the PDF version.
When you place a Linked Illustrator object (from a file or from a CC Library) and later decide to Embed it, you actually embed the PDF content of the linked file. This results in many groups, clipping masks, reduced editability (no Appearance effects, Symbols, Brushes) and loss of layers.
The optimal editable way would be to embed the native objects instead of the PDF version, similar to Copy and Paste with the Paste Remembers Layers option turned on.8 votes -
Better grid settings
Inkscape 1.1 has great grid management.
It's embedded with the document: because grid needs vary a lot from a document from another
It's accessible on the lateral panel, while on AI you need to enter the general settings; all while snapping is in the view menu (go figure...)
There a two types of grid.
You can set several grids.
On this lateral panel, and for each grid, you can easily define there enable , visible and snapping status. (no menu spelunking)
You can set the grid origin with coordinates or by alignment to the page (on AI if you modify the canvas size, you take the risk of losing the rest of the work's alignment to the grid)What would be great:
Have a Grid window (the same way there is an Artboard window) that can be placed in the lateral panel or control bar) to easily and rapidly manage grids and there behavior (visibility, snapping, etc.). Also, have grid settings embedded with each file.Inkscape 1.1 has great grid management.
It's embedded with the document: because grid needs vary a lot from a document from another
It's accessible on the lateral panel, while on AI you need to enter the general settings; all while snapping is in the view menu (go figure...)
There a two types of grid.
You can set several grids.
On this lateral panel, and for each grid, you can easily define there enable , visible and snapping status. (no menu spelunking)
You can set the grid origin with coordinates or by alignment to the page (on AI if you modify…8 votes -
Save Individual PDF's in CMYK from Artboards
We are able to save the artboards using the "Export for Screens" function, but they export in RGB, even when using a CMYK file.
It would be great to have an option, whether in the "Save As" window, to be able to save artboards as individual PDF's, with the artboard names, or something similar to "Export for Screens", but for CMYK files.8 votesNo longer a problem, the chosen color mode stays when PDFs get exported. Please comment back if this is still a problem for you with a latest release.
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Please re-add 3D mapping with Symbols to new 3D functionality
Please re-add 3D mapping with Symbols to the new 3D functionality.
I know it's included in the "3D (Classic)" Effects menu, but it needs to be added to the new 3D functionality. Calling it "Classic" means Adobe is going to abandon it (for something worse). I use 3D mapping with Symbols ALL THE TIME. PLEASE add it back.
Thank you!8 votesMapping is now available in Beta. There are some known issues with it, but even more unknown ones, so the team encourages you to try it and write back about your experience with it, to help to make it better.
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Better documentation
Current documentation sucks. There are no explanations what some properties mean, when something is null/undefined, when something throws an error and why. I have to try everything myself.
8 votes -
A Dashed Line tool
I have seen a few plugins (Nudge, WidthScribe) do things with dashes that suggest there is room for a lot more dashes on a stroke than the three repeating dash/gap entries the Stroke panel lets me create.
I would like an interactive, on-canvas tool that lets me drag dashes, gaps, and their endpoints around on a selected path. Being able to create and delete dashes/gaps would be nice, too.
8 votes -
Enable Content Aware Defaults is an All or Nothing option: split it
Checking the Enable Content Aware Defaults option in Preferences controls 3 features: Crop Image, Puppet Warp and Freeform Gradient. It would be nice to be able to turn them on/off individually. Now it is all or nothing.
8 votes -
Edit Global Swatch directly via Color Picker
Currently a multi-step process to update a Global swatch using Color Picker. Change a swatch via color picker then drag the active color swatch that’s at the top of the swatches panel down into the panel and from there that color can be dragged over a global swatch to update it. Better: just double click whilst in Global swatch and use color picker. Currently can only use sliders whilst in a Global swatch.
8 votes -
Preserve Names When Adding Color to Swatches From Library
If you add a color to Swatches from a Library, the name of the color is lost and defaults to the RGB or CMYK values. It would be nice if those names were preserved.
8 votes -
Renaming Layer Shortcut Keys!
Hello there Illustrator Devs!.
I just wanted to ask about a very simple feature but until today it hasn't been added to the Illustrator App
can you add a shortcut to rename a layer?. it is important for motion graphic artists to rename all the layers so it will be clear which layer for each object in after effects.
double-clicking is ok but it seems to be more efficient if I can bind some hotkeys to rename layers because using hotkeys or shortcuts just requires one hand only rather than using a mouse.
I will appreciate it if you consider my suggestion for the next update. Thank you very much!.
Hello there Illustrator Devs!.
I just wanted to ask about a very simple feature but until today it hasn't been added to the Illustrator App
can you add a shortcut to rename a layer?. it is important for motion graphic artists to rename all the layers so it will be clear which layer for each object in after effects.
double-clicking is ok but it seems to be more efficient if I can bind some hotkeys to rename layers because using hotkeys or shortcuts just requires one hand only rather than using a mouse.
I will appreciate it if you consider…
8 votes -
Color swatch variables
Add color and pattern swatches as options in variables pallet.
8 votes -
Add Keyboard Shortcut to Switch Gradient Color Stop
Hi
if add a keyboard shortcut to the gradient slider to switch color stops instead of mouse clicks will increase the workflow
8 votes -
Scale the graphs. SCALE THE GRAPHS. SCALE THE GRAPHS. SCALE THE GRAPHS.
WHY CAN'T WE SCALE GRAPHS. THIS IS SO BASIC. IS ADOBE BASIC? STOP BEING BASIC. SCALE THE GRAPHS.
This is a critical functionality for infographics and you've all but left it as something a child would have shown at an Adobe Max SNEAKS reveal with it's current level of development in comparison to the level the rest of the entire OS has reached.
8 votes -
Prevent astronomic file size when using multiple copies of the same embedded image
Allow copies of the same embedded image to have one source and not just copy when duplicating these images. Copy only when a change is made to a copy of the embedded image. I like to make multiple versions of some artwork that may contain a raster image embedded and when i copy that artwork it makes another copy of that unchanged embedded image along with the copied vectors, causing a significant increase in file size when that raster image is still the same. I could use linking but file management gets harder with absolute links. Either use the same info in the file for copies of images or allow relative paths of links.
Allow copies of the same embedded image to have one source and not just copy when duplicating these images. Copy only when a change is made to a copy of the embedded image. I like to make multiple versions of some artwork that may contain a raster image embedded and when i copy that artwork it makes another copy of that unchanged embedded image along with the copied vectors, causing a significant increase in file size when that raster image is still the same. I could use linking but file management gets harder with absolute links. Either use the same…
8 votes
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