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Illustrator

Illustrator

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  1. Illustrator User Guide
  2. Get to know Illustrator
    1. Introduction to Illustrator
      1. What's new in Illustrator
      2. Common questions
      3. Illustrator system requirements
      4. Illustrator for Apple silicon
    2. Workspace
      1. Workspace basics
      2. Learn faster with the Illustrator Discover panel
      3. Create documents
      4. Toolbar
      5. Default keyboard shortcuts
      6. Customize keyboard shortcuts
      7. Introduction to artboards
      8. Manage artboards
      9. Customize the workspace
      10. Properties panel
      11. Set preferences
      12. Touch Workspace
      13. Microsoft Surface Dial support in Illustrator
      14. Undo edits and manage design history
      15. Rotate view
      16. Rulers, grids, and guides
      17. Accessibility in Illustrator
      18. Safe Mode
      19. View artwork
      20. Use the Touch Bar with Illustrator
      21. Files and templates
    3. Tools in Illustrator
      1. Tools at a glance
      2. Select tools
        1. Selection
        2. Direct Selection
        3. Group Selection
        4. Magic Wand
        5. Lasso
        6. Artboard
      3. Navigate tools
        1. Hand
        2. Rotate View
        3. Zoom
      4. Paint tools
        1. Gradient
        2. Mesh
        3. Shape Builder
      5. Text tools
        1. Type
        2. Type on a Path
        3. Vertical Type
      6. Draw tools
        1. Pen
        2. Add Anchor Point
        3. Delete Anchor Point
        4. Anchor Point
        5. Curvature
        6. Line Segment
        7. Rectangle
        8. Rounded Rectangle
        9. Ellipse
        10. Polygon
        11. Star
        12. Paintbrush
        13. Blob Brush
        14. Pencil
        15. Shaper
        16. Slice
      7. Modify tools
        1. Rotate
        2. Reflect
        3. Scale
        4. Shear
        5. Width
        6. Free Transform
        7. Eyedropper
        8. Blend
        9. Eraser
        10. Scissors
        11. Dimension
    4. Generative AI (not available in mainland China)
      1. Generate scenes, subjects, and icons using text prompts
      2. Generate vector patterns using text prompts
      3. Generate vector shape fills using text prompts
      4. Recolor your artwork using text prompts
    5. Quick actions
      1. Retro text
      2. Neon glow text
      3. Old school text
      4. Recolor
      5. Convert sketch to vector
  3. Illustrator on the web (beta)
    1. Illustrator on the web (beta) overview
    2. Illustrator on the web (beta) FAQ
    3. Troubleshooting issues FAQ
    4. Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the web (beta)
    5. Create and combine shapes on the web
    6. Add and edit text on the web
    7. Apply colors and gradients on the web
    8. Draw and edit paths on the web
    9. Work with cloud documents on the web
    10. Invite collaborators to edit on the web
  4. Illustrator on the iPad
    1. Introduction to Illustrator on the iPad
      1. Illustrator on the iPad overview
      2. Illustrator on the iPad FAQs
      3. System requirements | Illustrator on the iPad
      4. What you can or cannot do on Illustrator on the iPad
    2. Workspace
      1. Illustrator on the iPad workspace
      2. Touch shortcuts and gestures
      3. Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the iPad
      4. Manage your app settings
    3. Documents
      1. Work with documents in Illustrator on the iPad
      2. Import Photoshop and Fresco documents
    4. Select and arrange objects
      1. Create repeat objects
      2. Blend objects
    5. Drawing
      1. Draw and edit paths
      2. Draw and edit shapes
    6. Type
      1. Work with type and fonts
      2. Create text designs along a path
      3. Add your own fonts
    7. Work with images
      1. Vectorize raster images
    8. Color
      1. Apply colors and gradients
  5. Cloud documents
    1. Basics
      1. Work with Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Share and collaborate on Illustrator cloud documents
      3. Share documents for review
      4. Upgrade cloud storage for Adobe Illustrator
      5. Illustrator cloud documents | Common questions
    2. Troubleshooting
      1. Troubleshoot create or save issues for Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Troubleshoot Illustrator cloud documents issues
  6. Add and edit content
    1. Drawing and dimensioning
      1. Drawing basics
      2. Edit paths
      3. Draw pixel-perfect art
      4. Draw with the Pen, Curvature, or Pencil tool
      5. Draw simple lines and shapes
      6. Draw rectangular and polar grids
      7. Draw and edit flares
      8. Image Trace
      9. Simplify a path
      10. Symbolism tools and symbol sets
      11. Adjust path segments
      12. Design a flower in 5 easy steps
      13. Create and edit a perspective grid
      14. Draw and modify objects on a perspective grid
      15. Use objects as symbols for repeat use
      16. Draw pixel-aligned paths for web workflows
      17. Measure and plot dimensions
    2. 3D objects and materials
      1. About 3D effects in Illustrator
      2. Create 3D graphics
      3. Map artwork over 3D objects
      4. Create 3D Text
      5. Create 3D objects
    3. Color
      1. About color
      2. Select colors
      3. Use and create swatches
      4. Adjust colors
      5. Use the Adobe Color Themes panel
      6. Color groups (harmonies)
      7. Color Themes panel
      8. Recolor your artwork
    4. Painting
      1. About painting
      2. Paint with fills and strokes
      3. Live Paint groups
      4. Gradients
      5. Brushes
      6. Transparency and blending modes
      7. Apply stroke on an object
      8. Create and edit patterns
      9. Meshes
      10. Patterns
    5. Select and arrange objects
      1. Select objects
      2. Layers
      3. Group and expand objects
      4. Move, align, and distribute objects
      5. Snap objects to glyph
      6. Snap objects to Japanese glyph
      7. Stack objects    
      8. Lock, hide, and delete objects
      9. Copy and duplicate objects
      10. Rotate and reflect objects
      11. Intertwine objects
      12. Create realistic art mockups
    6. Reshape objects
      1. Crop images
      2. Transform objects
      3. Combine objects
      4. Cut, divide, and trim objects
      5. Puppet Warp
      6. Scale, shear, and distort objects
      7. Blend objects
      8. Reshape using envelopes
      9. Reshape objects with effects
      10. Build new shapes with Shaper and Shape Builder tools
      11. Work with Live Corners
      12. Enhanced reshape workflows with touch support
      13. Edit clipping masks
      14. Live shapes
      15. Create shapes using the Shape Builder tool
      16. Global editing
    7. Type
      1. Add text and work with type objects
      2. Create bulleted and numbered lists
      3. Manage text area
      4. Fonts and typography
      5. Convert text within images into editable text
      6. Add basic formatting to text
      7. Add advanced formatting to text
      8. Import and export text
      9. Format paragraphs
      10. Special characters
      11. Create type on a path
      12. Character and paragraph styles
      13. Tabs
      14. Find missing fonts (Typekit workflow)
      15. Arabic and Hebrew type
      16. Fonts | FAQ and troubleshooting tips
      17. Create 3D text effect
      18. Creative typography designs
      19. Scale and rotate type
      20. Line and character spacing
      21. Hyphenation and line breaks
      22. Spelling and language dictionaries
      23. Format Asian characters
      24. Composers for Asian scripts
      25. Create text designs with blend objects
      26. Create a text poster using Image Trace
    8. Create special effects
      1. Work with effects
      2. Graphic styles
      3. Appearance attributes
      4. Create sketches and mosaics
      5. Drop shadows, glows, and feathering
      6. Summary of effects
    9. Web graphics
      1. Best practices for creating web graphics
      2. Graphs
      3. SVG
      4. Slices and image maps
  7. Import, export, and save
    1. Import
      1. Place multiple files
      2. Manage linked and embedded files
      3. Links information
      4. Unembed images
      5. Import artwork from Photoshop
      6. Import bitmap images
      7. Import Adobe PDF files
      8. Import EPS, DCS, and AutoCAD files
    2. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator 
      1. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator
    3. Save and export
      1. Save artwork
      2. Export artwork
      3. Create Adobe PDF files
      4. Adobe PDF options
      5. Use Illustrator artwork in Photoshop
      6. Collect assets and export in batches
      7. Package files
      8. Extract CSS | Illustrator CC
      9. Document info panel
  8. Printing
    1. Prepare for printing
      1. Set up documents for printing
      2. Change the page size and orientation
      3. Specify crop marks for trimming or aligning
      4. Get started with large canvas
    2. Printing
      1. Overprint
      2. Print with color management
      3. PostScript printing
      4. Print presets
      5. Printer's marks and bleeds
      6. Print and save transparent artwork
      7. Trapping
      8. Print color separations
      9. Print gradients, meshes, and color blends
      10. White Overprint
  9. Automate tasks
    1. Data merge using the Variables panel
    2. Automation with scripts
    3. Automation with actions
  10. Troubleshooting 
    1. Fixed issues
    2. Known issues
    3. Crash issues
    4. Recover files after crash
    5. File issues
    6. Supported file formats
    7. GPU device driver issues
    8. Wacom device issues
    9. DLL file issues
    10. Memory issues
    11. Preferences file issues
    12. Font issues
    13. Printer issues
    14. Share crash report with Adobe
    15. Improve Illustrator performance

Get started with shape tools and explore how to create, edit, and combine shapes to build innovative designs in Illustrator on the web (beta).

  Illustrator on the web (beta) is now available for testing and feedback.

Explore new features and share your thoughts.

Open Illustrator on the web (beta)

Note:

The app is available as part of your Illustrator subscription.

As a designer, your creative journey begins with shapes that help you build your design. Illustrator on the web (beta) gives you fundamental shape tools to quickly create live shapes like rectangles, squares, stars, circles, and polygons. You can edit them and bring your creative imagination to life by merging multiple shapes to build unique and interesting artwork.

How does drawing live shapes help you?

The live shapes capability allows you to draw basic shapes, such as rectangles, ellipses, polygons, lines, and stars, and edit them more intuitively and interactively.

Is it easy to edit shapes in Illustrator on the web (beta)?

The user-friendly interface lets you modify your shape's attributes in the Properties panel. It makes editing the visual appearance of your shapes easier.

How does combining shapes enhance your design workflow?

You can merge, subtract, intersect, and exclude overlapping shapes. It allows you to create custom shapes and craft unique illustrations, logos, and posters.

Use the hands-on tutorial in the app

Play this video for an introduction to the tutorial about drawing and combining shapes.

Adobe Illustrator deeplink

Try it in the app
Now that you've watched the video, follow along with the tutorial to learn how to draw and combine shapes.

Open Illustrator on the web (beta)

Draw live shapes

Select and hold the Rectangle tool to use shape tools like Ellipse, Polygon, Star, Line Segment, and Arrow Line.

Shape tool

How to draw with it

  

Select the Rectangle (M) tool, and then drag on the canvas to draw a rectangle.

  

Select the Ellipse (L) tool, and then drag on the canvas to draw an ellipse.

  

Select the Polygon tool, and then drag on the canvas to draw a live triangle. To change the number of sides, drag the on-canvas Sides   option.

  

Select the Star (S) tool, and then drag on the canvas to draw a star object. 

  

Select the Line Segment (\) tool, and then drag on the canvas to draw a line. 

  

Select the Arrow Line tool, and then drag on the canvas to draw an arrow. 

Edit shapes

With the Properties   panel, you can access and modify a range of shape attributes, such as Height, Width, Fill and Stroke colors, and Opacity. 

When you select a live shape like a rectangle or polygon, live corners display on the object. You can use the live corners to edit the edges of your live shape.

  1. Select the shape using the respective shape tool. 

  2. Drag the live corner point to create smooth and curved edges.

A rectangle is selected with the Direct Selection tool next to a rectangle with rounded edges that demonstrates how paths are edited to make rounded corners.
Drag the corner points using the shape tool or Direct Selection tool to create curved corners.

Combine and create new shapes

Whether you're a graphic designer or a creative enthusiast, combining shapes can open endless design possibilities.

You can create new designs by merging, subtracting, or intersecting overlapping shapes, allowing you to customize and craft unique artwork for illustrations, logos, icons, and more.

  1. Select shapes with overlapping paths using the Selection  tool.

  2. Select the Combine shapes   icon from the taskbar to open the Combine shapes panel, and then select one of the following options:

Multiple objects with overlapping paths are selected and the Combine Shapes panel is open with Shape builder, Combine all, Minus front, and more options..
Create complex shapes using the Combine shapes option.

Option

What it does

Shape builder (Shift + M)

Provides a fast and intuitive way to combine, merge, and divide multiple shapes using scribble and drag. Familiarize yourself with the Shape builder tool in Illustrator on the desktop and use the same gestures in Illustrator on the web (beta) to construct new shapes.

Combine all

Combines two or more shapes to form a single shape.

Minus front

Removes the overlapped region of the front shape from the back shape.
Intersect

Retains only the intersected part of two or more overlapped shapes.

Exclude overlap

Excludes the intersected region of two overlapped shapes and retains the other regions.
Divide all

Divides the shapes that you combined into individual shapes.
Convert to path

Converts the shape into a path object for further editing.

Pro tips and tricks 

  • Hover over a tool to view a short clip and tip on how it works.
  • Press Shift as you drag to create a perfect circle from the Ellipse tool, a square from the Rectangle tool, and an equilateral triangle from the Polygon tool.
  • Perform actions directly on the canvas using the Contextual Task Bar that's displayed when you select an object.

Finalize your artwork

You can also take your artwork to Illustrator on the desktop and refine it by selecting the Open in desktop app button. Once your artwork is complete, select Share > Publish and export to save it in other formats (PNG, JPEG, AiT, Ai, PDF, and SVG) and share it with anyone, anywhere.

Have a question or an idea?

Ask the Community

If you have a question to ask or an idea to share, come and participate in the Adobe Illustrator on the web (beta) Community. We would love to hear from you and see your creations.

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