Illustrator (Desktop) Feature Requests
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4768 results found
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path eraser tool - erasing multiple path selection (worked in CS5, does not in CC)
I jumped from CS5 to the current CC version of illustrator. As a technical illustrator, I often need to erase portions of paths. The easiest method for accomplishing this task is to select all the paths I intend to erase portions of using the "path eraser tool" and simply go from path to path erasing what I need using the "path eraser tool". This function works properly in CS5 but at some point afterwards has been lost.
However, as soon as you erase a portion of the first path, all selected paths are unselected except for the current path being erased. In CC, I have to individually select a path then erase, select another path then erase, a process that is very time consuming and tiresome. Someone raised the question if "keep paths selected" was checked in pencil settings. This settings only appears to "keep" paths selected for the newly drawn path...not paths being erased using the "path eraser tool".
I've attempted to use the standard "eraser" tool for this purpose, though, the erased results on paths using the "eraser" tool are very unpredictable (rendering the eraser useless for erasing paths) as it changes the control points and handle values as well as generally erases too much.
Why did this path eraser tool function vanish in CC??? I need it desperately as I am sure most users would value it's return as well.
It's been three years since an original post to the community forum, can someone at Adobe please kindly respond here??
Thanks in advance.
I jumped from CS5 to the current CC version of illustrator. As a technical illustrator, I often need to erase portions of paths. The easiest method for accomplishing this task is to select all the paths I intend to erase portions of using the "path eraser tool" and simply go from path to path erasing what I need using the "path eraser tool". This function works properly in CS5 but at some point afterwards has been lost.
However, as soon as you erase a portion of the first path, all selected paths are unselected except for the current path being…
6 votes -
Actions panel
Everything is so tiny, and the actions panel is too. When you run an action you see all steps, and if you want to try another of your actions you have to scroll a mile to get there. It's very difficult to get an overview of the actions you have. So I would like to see the steps of the action in a separate window, so that you don't loose the overview of your actions. You shouldn't see all steps in the same list as the actions that you have. Also I would like to be able to have some little icons or something that make me see the difference between actions. I don't always remember name of all actions. I think the same applies to all your brushes, tools, patterns swatches presets etc. It's so difficult to get a proper overview, a visual overview that makes sense. I want that.
Everything is so tiny, and the actions panel is too. When you run an action you see all steps, and if you want to try another of your actions you have to scroll a mile to get there. It's very difficult to get an overview of the actions you have. So I would like to see the steps of the action in a separate window, so that you don't loose the overview of your actions. You shouldn't see all steps in the same list as the actions that you have. Also I would like to be able to have some…
6 votes -
Support layers in patterns
I want to be able to make patterns in layers. So if I use layers when I make a pattern, then I get a pattern that is editable in layers. It would save much time if you want to make variations.
6 votes -
Copy parts from multiple layers into multiple layers
I work with a lot of parts that I need to keep separated for output. A simple example is a complex, compound shape with 20 elements. I have 10 on a "cut" layer and 10 on a "print" layer. If I copy and paste them, I can only paste them into one layer. I might want them to go back into the same layers or into 2 new layers. I never want them in the same layer. I now have to go in and separate them all into the proper layers.
This is important because the layers tell our output machines what to do with the files.
I work with a lot of parts that I need to keep separated for output. A simple example is a complex, compound shape with 20 elements. I have 10 on a "cut" layer and 10 on a "print" layer. If I copy and paste them, I can only paste them into one layer. I might want them to go back into the same layers or into 2 new layers. I never want them in the same layer. I now have to go in and separate them all into the proper layers.
This is important because the layers tell our output…
6 votesYou can enable Paste Remembers Layers in the panel’s menu to make Illustrator remember layers your objects were copied from and insert them on layers with same name when pasted. If these layers don’t exist, Illustrator will create them. Be careful and disable it when not needed, if might make a mess when not needed. Also note that with this option enable everything copied from an isolation mode creates a separate 'Isolation mode' layer, which is stupid — vote here if you think this should be addressed: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/37935496-paste-remembers-layers-bug-with-isolation-mode -
Auto-generate an opacity mask from the Appearance palette
I've been experimenting with ways to create soft edges and stylized natural textures in my work. I find myself wishing for this to be able to quickly and easily create, say, an erratically faded and mottled edge to a filled path by giving it an opacity mask made up of a jagged white-to-black fade pattern brush, plus some black spots from a scatter brush.
I would like to be able to add strokes and/or fills to a path via the Appearance palette, and have these paths show up in an auto-generated opacity mask for the path instead.
Possibly this might be done by having a 'create opacity mask' live effect, with the 'clip' and 'invert mask' options available, that I could then place additional strokes and fills within.
Alternatively there might be a way to say 'this fill/stroke goes in the opacity mask' - probably also a live effect.
Multiple strokes/fills set to go into the opacity mask should all end up in the same mask.
I've been experimenting with ways to create soft edges and stylized natural textures in my work. I find myself wishing for this to be able to quickly and easily create, say, an erratically faded and mottled edge to a filled path by giving it an opacity mask made up of a jagged white-to-black fade pattern brush, plus some black spots from a scatter brush.
I would like to be able to add strokes and/or fills to a path via the Appearance palette, and have these paths show up in an auto-generated opacity mask for the path instead.
Possibly this might…
6 votes -
Brush Groups
I would like to be able to select several brushes in the Brush palette, then press a 'make brush group' button on the palette.
I would then be able to choose this brush group as if it were a brush. Drawing with this brush group would choose a different brush in the group at random for every new path I created.
I might have a 'brush group options' dialogue box wherein I could choose the relative frequencies of the different brushes in the group, switch it between random choice and cycling between brushes in order, give it a name, and... whatever other features seem to need to be in there once it starts taking shape, really.
Ideally, I would be able to have a brush in multiple groups. I would also be able to have brushes of different types in one group - if I wanted to mix an art brush with a scatter brush, for instance, I could.
And ideally, altering the brush group would alter existing paths drawn using the brush group. This might be a choice similar to how changing the settings of a brush that's in use asks if you want to apply the changes to all existing paths that use it.
I've been dabbling with a more 'natural media' look in Illustrator. For my purposes, art brushes seem to be working best, but I'll often start to notice the same repeated features of an art brush sticking out of my drawings. If I could make, say, ten "dry brush" brushes, and have Illustrator constantly swapping between them, this would make the illusion of real media a lot easier to keep up.
Similarly, I use a lot of scatter brushes for things like trees or grass. It would be useful to be able to have several different 'leaf' scatter brushes and just scribble in a few overlapping strokes that automatically pick between them.
I would also be able to create Graphic Styles that call for the use of a brush group on a stroke instead of a single brush.
I would like to be able to select several brushes in the Brush palette, then press a 'make brush group' button on the palette.
I would then be able to choose this brush group as if it were a brush. Drawing with this brush group would choose a different brush in the group at random for every new path I created.
I might have a 'brush group options' dialogue box wherein I could choose the relative frequencies of the different brushes in the group, switch it between random choice and cycling between brushes in order, give it a name, and...…
6 votes -
An option to Consider End Handles when filling open paths
In illustrator we can to adjust start and end point handles in open path, but it have not much sense. What about to consider this handles to adjust shape of the object fill. Not on strait line like usual, but in way like we want. By the way, if we decide to close the path, Ai should make it in that way too.
So, we doesn't need two objects with stroke and shape separately, it will be one object with adjustable end handles.6 votes -
All the features of Adobe XD are presented in Adobe Illustrator CC
All the features of Adobe XD are presented in Adobe Illustrator CC (allowing Illustrator to make designs for website and apps prototypes quickly and easily). Increase process speed in opening large files from Adobe Illustrator and save large files in Adobe Illustrator CC.
6 votes -
Support single one line fonts
Hi,
I have tried Illustrator to design name tags to engrave on our engraving machine. Unfortunately single line fonts, which are essential for some engravings, isn't working properly. Bought them from onelinefonts.com and they are working flawless in most other apps, but none of Adobe's so far.
6 votes -
Assets Export - add "Find" option by asset name
I'm looking for just option to filter assets at Asset Panel. It's easy to select some assets, for example I have objects names "ground_xx.png" and I want just export them now, so I can type in filter "ground" and it will be filtered from all other my assets, and yes, better to add option select filtered.
6 votes -
Please add an option for the Recolor panel / dialog to remember the chosen settings
Proposed by Daté Tetegan
It would also be useful to maintain all the Recolor Artwork panel’s active preferences when it is closed.
For example, when you choose to load a colour palette to limit colour changes to the colours in that palette, if you close the panel and then reopen it, the preference is lost, and you have to reselect the palette every time.
This is a waste of time that is frustrating and reduces productivity. I have noticed that all the panel’s options are not preserved when the panel is closed.
This recolor artwork panel is a great powerful tool, with many options, so what's the point of being able to modify several options if you cannot preserve the changes?Proposed by Daté Tetegan
It would also be useful to maintain all the Recolor Artwork panel’s active preferences when it is closed.
For example, when you choose to load a colour palette to limit colour changes to the colours in that palette, if you close the panel and then reopen it, the preference is lost, and you have to reselect the palette every time.
This is a waste of time that is frustrating and reduces productivity. I have noticed that all the panel’s options are not preserved when the panel is closed.
This recolor artwork panel is a great powerful…5 votes -
Make zooming in respect the text insertion point (text cursor)
With or without the Zoom to Selection option (in Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display), zooming in (I use Cmd/Ctrl+Plus a lot when I edit text) into the edited text won’t respect the blinking cursor’s position. So If I decided to zoom into a text I’m editing, Ai would just zoom in the middle, hiding my point of interest out of the view.
Thanks to Brian Wood for bringing the attention to it.More of it — if I START typing (or press an arrow button), hoping for the view to adjust (like it used to do) — it won’t happen!
So I can type blindly now, not seeing the result: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447/suggestions/51215062And really, Zoom to Selection is just broken: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/32928385
It centers the view, instead of keeping the selection within view. It’s super painful when you zoom out using hotkeys.With or without the Zoom to Selection option (in Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display), zooming in (I use Cmd/Ctrl+Plus a lot when I edit text) into the edited text won’t respect the blinking cursor’s position. So If I decided to zoom into a text I’m editing, Ai would just zoom in the middle, hiding my point of interest out of the view.
Thanks to Brian Wood for bringing the attention to it.More of it — if I START typing (or press an arrow button), hoping for the view to adjust (like it used to do) — it won’t…
5 votes -
Add opacity slider to guides settings
Please add an opacity slider to the guides settings.
5 votes -
Make Intertwine into a tool, available from a tool panel
Objects on Path is a tool, and it creates a dedicated object... and does nothing else! all the operations with this new object are performed using the Selection tool...
Meanwhile, an Intertwine object would need a command, Object > Intertwine > Edit (or a button in the Control panel) to be edited — which just enabled the hidden tool! Make it a real one!5 votes -
Zig Zag effect Ridges per Path option
Illustrator allows us to set ridges per segment when applying a live Zig Zag effect.
Cool, we can use it creatively... sometimes... in very rare occasions...But most of times we need the frequency to be uniform for the whole path, like Roughen does.
We can’t use a brush to do it really, and we can’t make Ai to re-divide a path into segments of equal length (a cool request on its own, but it won’t solve the problem anyway... but I ahve to mention the PathScribe plugin allows this).There is this cool Random Zig Zag script that that does this and more as a filter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHEAk6s9NcE — definitely worth buying), but it’d be great to just have it from the box as an option for the effect.
Illustrator allows us to set ridges per segment when applying a live Zig Zag effect.
Cool, we can use it creatively... sometimes... in very rare occasions...But most of times we need the frequency to be uniform for the whole path, like Roughen does.
We can’t use a brush to do it really, and we can’t make Ai to re-divide a path into segments of equal length (a cool request on its own, but it won’t solve the problem anyway... but I ahve to mention the PathScribe plugin allows this).There is this cool Random Zig Zag script that that…
5 votes -
Smoothing a selected portion of a path converts the extreme points in the selection into sharp from smooth
Here I have a path with all the points being smooth (all handles are at 180°), but one portion of the path is particularly bumpy. I want to smooth only this portion.
I select it (using Lasso), I make sure these are smooth, I pick Pencil, hold Opt/Alt, drag the slider... and it makes the selected portion of the path connected to the rest of it in the sharp manner. There is no tension at the star/end points, it just flops.
While this can be useful, being blind like this, I’d love for it to at least give me the choice. An option, perhaps?Here I have a path with all the points being smooth (all handles are at 180°), but one portion of the path is particularly bumpy. I want to smooth only this portion.
I select it (using Lasso), I make sure these are smooth, I pick Pencil, hold Opt/Alt, drag the slider... and it makes the selected portion of the path connected to the rest of it in the sharp manner. There is no tension at the star/end points, it just flops.
While this can be useful, being blind like this, I’d love for it to at least give me the…5 votes -
Artboard titles should not be covered by bleeds, when 'Show Artboard name on canvas' is enabled
Use Bleed Size When Showing the Artboard Title and When Applying an Artboard Background Color
5 votes -
Make permanent artboard captions displayed on top when using Artboard Tool / mode
In Ai 2026 (build 30) a new option was presented, 'Show Artboard name on canvas', in Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display, enabled by default, following this request:
Provide an option for making artboard names / numbers visible on the artboard (like when editing artboards), https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/40405873While it’s great and all, these new subtle captions replace the old 'label' ones we used to get when enabling Artboard tool / mode... and these new captions are rendered BELOW the artwork, even when I specifically want to deal with artboards, not artwork.
These should appear on top when using Artboard Tool, and I’d say these should be old-style labels with clear distinct backgrounds. Gray text of new-style labels is barely seen on gray backgrounds I use a lot.Why do we need to see the numbers and labels above art?
For this — Display artboard captions when exporting artboards, http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/48094511In Ai 2026 (build 30) a new option was presented, 'Show Artboard name on canvas', in Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display, enabled by default, following this request:
Provide an option for making artboard names / numbers visible on the artboard (like when editing artboards), https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/40405873While it’s great and all, these new subtle captions replace the old 'label' ones we used to get when enabling Artboard tool / mode... and these new captions are rendered BELOW the artwork, even when I specifically want to deal with artboards, not artwork.
These should appear on top when using Artboard Tool, and…5 votes -
Dynamic Bezier Stroke Corner Join
Illustrator offers 3 types of stroke corner joins: Miter, Round, Bevel (same 3 as Offset Path filter/effect do).
Miter one just extends the edges of a stroke with straight lines and then cuts the pointy portion off according to Miter Limit value. This works in a majority of cases when we need a sharp corner, but when curvy segments meet at an angle... the straight join becomes obvious.
Meanwhile, Ai has Join Tool.
Here, at the left side of the image a result of expanding a stroke, with a straight mitered join is rather obvious.
So I select the point where the straight segments meet, delete it, and then use the Joint Tool to... well, to join them, following the natural Bezier extensions of the segments.This gives me a better looking smoother join, with no obvious 'ah, that's a thick stroke expanded'. I can use this method when I have a handful of these... but it’s not convenient to treat hundreds of these, expanding your artwork.
Another solution would be to use inside/outside stroke alignment...
But:
1. it still doesn’t work for open paths — http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/33963553 (100 votes!)
2. it won’t be helpful anyway if sharp connections happen from both sides of a line, both at inside and outside oneSo — please introduce the fourth type of a stroke corner join. Make it fall back to just simple Miter if the curvature of the lines doesn’t allow for them to meet properly (or cheat by changing the curvature just a bit).
Illustrator offers 3 types of stroke corner joins: Miter, Round, Bevel (same 3 as Offset Path filter/effect do).
Miter one just extends the edges of a stroke with straight lines and then cuts the pointy portion off according to Miter Limit value. This works in a majority of cases when we need a sharp corner, but when curvy segments meet at an angle... the straight join becomes obvious.
Meanwhile, Ai has Join Tool.
Here, at the left side of the image a result of expanding a stroke, with a straight mitered join is rather obvious.
So I select the point…5 votes -
Enable continuous work while generating vector graphics
Currently, when generating a vector graphic within Adobe Illustrator, the entire application becomes unresponsive for approximately 30 seconds (or longer, depending on complexity). This forces users to wait idly without being able to continue their work, significantly disrupting workflow, concentration, and productivity.
I request that Adobe implement a background processing feature that would allow users to continue drawing, editing, or performing other tasks within Illustrator while vector graphics are being generated in the background.
Thank you!
Danny5 votes
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