Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
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4722 results found
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Text accessibility checker
It would be great if adobe design tools provided a built in checker or warning system for type that does not meet the 4:5:1 standard for contrast. Currently I have to use third party tools to verify that the colors have enough contrast. Would be great if I could do that right in that app or if a warning popped up similar to overset text.
8 votes -
Align is immune to Constrain Angle
If we change Constrain Angle in Preferences general, our grid gets rotated, all shapes get create as rotated...
Pretty powerful, right? Read more about it here, in the Rotate the x and y axes of a document:
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/rotating-reflecting-objects.htmlHowever, even though it’s an old feature, it was never completed, it seems.
Align functions just ignore it, making alignment to an angle a rather cumbersome endeavor: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/39019732This also makes Rotate View pretty useless (which does not counter-rotate the Constrain Angle, unless you use free Direct Prefs plugin by Astute Graphics to handle it automatically, among other things) — http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/44001624
While arrows indeed get fixed with the counter-rotation trick, Align is forever broken... as well as the selection marquee, which is also ignores both Rotate View and Constrain Angle altogether.
If we change Constrain Angle in Preferences general, our grid gets rotated, all shapes get create as rotated...
Pretty powerful, right? Read more about it here, in the Rotate the x and y axes of a document:
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/rotating-reflecting-objects.htmlHowever, even though it’s an old feature, it was never completed, it seems.
Align functions just ignore it, making alignment to an angle a rather cumbersome endeavor: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/39019732This also makes Rotate View pretty useless (which does not counter-rotate the Constrain Angle, unless you use free Direct Prefs plugin by Astute Graphics to handle it automatically, among other things) — http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/44001624
…
8 votes -
Allow to show contents (unfurl) of compound paths in Layers
Illustrator treats a compound path as a single entity, no matter how many singular paths it has inside.
Layers panel does not display '>' next to the name of it, and does not allow to unfurl the item to see what it has inside.
It makes sense in a way, since the order of items does not matter (it is for a Compound Shapes, where it matters a lot, with e.g. 'Minus Front').
At the same time, we can still select a subpath of a compound path with the Group Selection tool, and use Object > Arrange commands (even though there is no visible result when we do that).
But having these in a Layers tree can help.
We can quickly evaluate the number of children objects, their own shapes with thumbnail previews rendered, quickly select one we need there and not on canvas... after all, it’s not something like a Dimension Object, which is a complex construct, not intended for direct editing, but a basic universal object, created to be edited!There are other limitations with subpaths of a compound path...
...like the inability to Allow to set key object inside compound path:
http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/34270678Illustrator treats a compound path as a single entity, no matter how many singular paths it has inside.
Layers panel does not display '>' next to the name of it, and does not allow to unfurl the item to see what it has inside.
It makes sense in a way, since the order of items does not matter (it is for a Compound Shapes, where it matters a lot, with e.g. 'Minus Front').
At the same time, we can still select a subpath of a compound path with the Group Selection tool, and use Object > Arrange commands (even though…
8 votes -
Make objects in Objects on Path to reposition relative to one set as a key object
Align and Distribute operations in Illustrator support picking a key object, by clicking on of the objects in a selection, so it get a thicker edge. This object stays in place, while every other in a selection aligns or distributes relative to it.
Sadly, this 'key object' paradigm is largely unloved in other areas, but it's also neglect in new Objects on Paths construct.
While it does not support setting a target path with it (requested here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/48988013), it also does not allow to 'fix' one object on path as adjust gaps relative to this fixated object.What we have now is an ability to hold Opt/Alt, to scale gaps relative to the center of the array... but with key object support it would be even cooler!
Original idea by Ton Frederiks
Align and Distribute operations in Illustrator support picking a key object, by clicking on of the objects in a selection, so it get a thicker edge. This object stays in place, while every other in a selection aligns or distributes relative to it.
Sadly, this 'key object' paradigm is largely unloved in other areas, but it's also neglect in new Objects on Paths construct.
While it does not support setting a target path with it (requested here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/48988013), it also does not allow to 'fix' one object on path as adjust gaps relative to this fixated object.What…
8 votes -
An option to Remove Share Button completely
Glad you can take the blue color off the Share button (based on this request: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/44391642)
Would LOVE to have the option of taking the share button off altogether.
It's still large and distracting. Thanks!8 votes -
Allow to convert a live blend into Objects on Path
Blends are cool to when you need to create intermediate objects or colors, but these sucks when you need to create a uniform distribution — Ai stupidly uses’ the spine’s curvature to control both the spine’s curvature AND the distribution (requested to get improved here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/32403880)
But now we have Objects on Path, which can’t provide any other distribution except uniform one (yet, we hope).
But, as usual, two similar functions remain completely separated and non-ingedrated (we saw this before with Repeat Grid and pattern, and there is a request to allow conversion of one into another here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/45233863 — along with 'why can’t we add these as swatches, here: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/41686228)So it’s a similar one — allow to convert a live blend directly into Objects on Path. This would allow to solve the uniformity / acceleration for blends first, but then it’s just a question of cutting a corner between these two VERY similar tools.
Blends are cool to when you need to create intermediate objects or colors, but these sucks when you need to create a uniform distribution — Ai stupidly uses’ the spine’s curvature to control both the spine’s curvature AND the distribution (requested to get improved here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/32403880)
But now we have Objects on Path, which can’t provide any other distribution except uniform one (yet, we hope).
But, as usual, two similar functions remain completely separated and non-ingedrated (we saw this before with Repeat Grid and pattern, and there is a request to allow conversion of one into another here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/45233863…8 votes -
Angular Smart Guides for everything, similar to those Snap to Glyph has
There is a lesser known Snap to Glyph command in context menu, which allow you to snap to any live glyph under cursor. It requires Smart Guides and Snap tp Glyph commands enabled (and Snap to Grid disabled).
Once you enter the mode, the chosen glyph is highlighted with a rectangle, and you are able to construct new art relative to points of this live glyph, as if it was outlined.
These guides are green, similar to normal Glyph Guides, but some guides are unique to this mode, like the 'angular' one — which allows us to build on a continuation of an existing straight line — similar to what 'Line Extension' smart guide does (when not broken).This guide is missing in a non-glyph world, and it’s rather cool, and we’d benefit from having it for everything else, for all other tools: Pen, Selection, Scale... Please make it happen and add it as a n option in Preferences > Smart Guides.
There is a lesser known Snap to Glyph command in context menu, which allow you to snap to any live glyph under cursor. It requires Smart Guides and Snap tp Glyph commands enabled (and Snap to Grid disabled).
Once you enter the mode, the chosen glyph is highlighted with a rectangle, and you are able to construct new art relative to points of this live glyph, as if it was outlined.
These guides are green, similar to normal Glyph Guides, but some guides are unique to this mode, like the 'angular' one — which allows us to build on…8 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 -
Display Move Locked and Hidden Artwork with Artboard option in Control panel and Properties while using Artboard tool / mode
The Move Locked and Hidden Artwork with Artboard option should be displayed when the user is actually in the "Edit Artboard" mode, using the Artboard tool. It is common problem when you want to duplicate an artboard and you have locked background. In most cases, I want to move my artwork with the background.
8 votes -
Make Illustrator inform users about the live shape nature of the path used for area type and provide associated controls for it
Currently, when we use a live rectangle as a path for an area type, it secretly stays live shape inside, and it allows us to scale the object with the round corners honored. If we round corners for a rectangle-looking path (not live shape), corners will get stretched.
However, there is no way to distinguish these two cases with UI, or to convert a rectangular path used for the area type into live rectangle shape, or to have shape-sepcific controls.
Please refer to the discussion in comments for the details.
This request is based on the original declined bug report below. Full text is given below.
Area type rounded corners distort when resizing.
Is it possible to make the corners remain live so they don't distort? See attached image.Currently, when we use a live rectangle as a path for an area type, it secretly stays live shape inside, and it allows us to scale the object with the round corners honored. If we round corners for a rectangle-looking path (not live shape), corners will get stretched.
However, there is no way to distinguish these two cases with UI, or to convert a rectangular path used for the area type into live rectangle shape, or to have shape-sepcific controls.
Please refer to the discussion in comments for the details.
This request is based on the original declined bug report…
8 votes -
Please add an ability to align points using the Align panel
Please add an ability to align individual points using the Align panel. This has always been an option, but it seems to have been removed.
8 votes -
Add an option to allow to snap to and by linked art, a similar one to Snap to Glyphs option
Could it be possible to get some help to align to a graphic imported? Something like "Snap to Glyph"?
It could help a lot to work precisely, without "embedding" the placed artwork...Originally by Jean-Michel Le Goff
8 votes -
Add an option to customize the strikethrough or underlined text
How is it possible that there are still no options to customize the strikethrough or underlined text???
On the internet I found posts and requests dating back even 10 years ago??? O.O8 votes -
True customizable drawing 'angles' for all tools when using SHIFT key (for Pen, Pencil, Brush, Move)
This is severely lacking in Illustrator and has been developed by Affinity Designer with workarounds (that do not work in a suitably fluid way) by Astute Graphics for Illustrator.
Best case scenario something is implemented like Affinity Designer in which 'constraint angles' are replaced by ‘Grid and Snapping Axis’ you are able to set and save presets of angle settings.
These axis are set and then can be activated as a constraint on your current tool by holding shift.
Smart guides provides this in a VERY limited way right now, the UI is very rudimentary for a setting that is so important.
These settings need to be centralized in one place, not hidden!
This is severely lacking in Illustrator and has been developed by Affinity Designer with workarounds (that do not work in a suitably fluid way) by Astute Graphics for Illustrator.
Best case scenario something is implemented like Affinity Designer in which 'constraint angles' are replaced by ‘Grid and Snapping Axis’ you are able to set and save presets of angle settings.
These axis are set and then can be activated as a constraint on your current tool by holding shift.
Smart guides provides this in a VERY limited way right now, the UI is very rudimentary for a setting that is…
8 votes -
Make Shadow bounds for 3D and Materials to auto-match the actual shadow bounds
Please eliminate the shadow bounds for 3D objects, or make it infinite, or at least something more generous than 400%: 4000% perhaps? 40,000%
8 votes -
Multi page PDF import: needs to respect original document color space
Hi,
Now when selecting "All" for page range, Illustrator creates a document with default color space, e.g. now CMYK.
It would be nice if PDF importer was a bit smarter and could check and respect original PDF's color space, and set up the document in Illustrator to match.E.g. when importing an RGB pdf, it would use RGB color space; and CMYK for CMYK.
8 votes -
Dimension Tool Ungroup to edit
To be able to ungroup the dimension, created with the dimension tool so it can be edited. The only way I have found how to edit it is expand appearance. And that duplicates it a number of times so you need to delete the duplicates first.
8 votesRecent builds offer a native way to hide units in live dimensions, so there is no need to expand these to hide them manually or use the Find and Replace hack anymore
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Image trace on multiple objects at once
Image Trace option should work on multiple objects at once.
8 votes -
Generate Proper Filenames and Layer Names Instead of Untitled-1 and Layer-1
We need Generate Name button for saving a file depending on its content, format and target project folder. Also layers could be named properly.
Also it seems obvious that, besides generating a new name, the system could also use information from the document's presets, such as the document type (e.g., web, phone, book, etc.), document size (e.g., A4, 291x210mm, 1920x1080px, etc.), and colour and bit depth (e.g., CMYK, RGB, LAB, 8-bit, 16-bit, etc.).
8 votes -
Rotate with arrow keys. Hold R to turn nudge in to rotate.
I love being able to nudge the selected object with the arrow keys, I want a modifyer key that allows rotation in the same way. example: R key + arrow key rotates. Left and right arrows might be one degree increments. Up/ down could be 15 degree - which quickly gets people to the super common angles 30, 45, 60
8 votes
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