10 Surprising Adobe Illustrator Tips That Will Save You Hours

Adobe Illustrator is a popular graphic design software that is widely used by designers and artists all around the world. It is known for its powerful vector graphics editing capabilities, which allow users to create stunning visuals for a variety of projects. However, using Illustrator efficiently can be a challenge, especially for beginners. In this post, we will share 10 surprising Illustrator tips that will save you hours of work and make your design process much more efficient.

1. Use Artboards for Multiple Designs

Artboards are a great feature in Illustrator that allow you to work on multiple designs within the same document. You can create new artboards by going to File > New and selecting the number of artboards you need. Once you have multiple artboards, you can easily switch between them by using the Artboard tool or by pressing Shift+O.

2. Create Custom Workspaces

Illustrator comes with a default workspace that includes a variety of panels and tools. However, you can customize your workspace to fit your needs by rearranging panels, adding new ones, or removing ones you don't use. To create a custom workspace, simply arrange the panels and tools you want to use, then go to Window > Workspace > New Workspace and give it a name.

3. Use the Shape Builder Tool

The Shape Builder tool is a powerful tool in Illustrator that allows you to merge and subtract shapes quickly and easily. To use it, select the shapes you want to merge or subtract, then click and drag over the area you want to modify. You can also hold down the Alt key to subtract shapes instead of merging them.

4. Use the Align Panel

The Align panel is an essential tool for anyone working with multiple objects in Illustrator. It allows you to quickly align objects to each other or to the artboard. To access the Align panel, go to Window > Align. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to access the most commonly used alignment options.

5. Create Custom Brushes

Illustrator includes a variety of brush presets that you can use to create different effects. However, you can also create custom brushes to fit your specific needs. To create a custom brush, simply draw the shape you want to use as a brush, then go to Window > Brushes and select New Brush.

6. Use the Pathfinder Panel

The Pathfinder panel is a powerful tool in Illustrator that allows you to combine, subtract, and divide shapes. It is particularly useful for creating custom shapes and logos. To access the Pathfinder panel, go to Window > Pathfinder.

7. Use the Width Tool

The Width tool is a unique tool in Illustrator that allows you to adjust the width of a stroke at any point along its path. This is useful for creating custom lettering or adding emphasis to certain parts of a design. To access the Width tool, select the stroke you want to modify and click on the Width tool in the toolbar.

8. Use the Symbol Sprayer Tool

The Symbol Sprayer tool is a fun and useful tool in Illustrator that allows you to quickly add multiple copies of a symbol to your design. To use it, select the symbol you want to use and then click and drag with the Symbol Sprayer tool. You can also adjust the density and size of the symbols using the options in the toolbar.

9. Use the Blob Brush Tool

The Blob Brush tool is a unique tool in Illustrator that allows you to create shapes that merge together as you draw. This is useful for creating organic shapes or for quickly sketching out ideas. To use the Blob Brush tool, select it from the toolbar and start drawing.

10. Use the Recolor Artwork Tool

The Recolor Artwork tool is a powerful tool in Illustrator that allows you to quickly change the colors of your artwork. To use it, select the artwork you want to recolor, then go to Edit > Edit Colors > Recolor Artwork. From there, you can easily adjust the colors using various presets, sliders, or by creating custom color groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these 10 surprising Adobe Illustrator tips will save you hours of work and make your design process much more efficient. By utilizing artboards, custom workspaces, the Shape Builder tool, the Align panel, custom brushes, the Pathfinder panel, the Width tool, the Symbol Sprayer tool, the Blob Brush tool, and the Recolor Artwork tool, you will be able to create stunning visuals in no time. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, these tips will help you take your Illustrator skills to the next level.

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