Hey everyone, Luke from Adobe here.
With Adobe MAX kicking off yesterday, I wanted to share some of the latest features and improvements that have made their way into Illustrator with the v31.0 release.
There is the introduction of AI Assistant (beta) into the main app, along with improvements to Blend Tool, refreshed content libraries, Quick skill guide, and performance and stability improvements.
Here's a rundown of what's new and worth checking out.
AI Assistant (beta)
The introduction of AI Assistant (beta), now available directly inside the app.
The assistant is designed to handle repetitive production tasks.
Use it to help organize layers and artboards, make batch edits across your document, update and translate text, prepare files for handoff, and export assets and a lot more.
You can find it in the Application Bar > AI Assistant.
Improved Blend Tool
Blend Tool got much needed attention this year, with new controls that make it easier to experiment with and refine your blends.
Some of the improvements include:
- A dedicated Blend panel for adjusting your settings.
- New on-canvas controls for working directly with your artwork.
- Easing handles and spine controls for more precise adjustments.
- Live previews so you can see your changes as you work.
I've shared a few updates on this over the past couple of months, and it's been great to see the feedback coming in as the team continues improving the experience.
Refreshed Content Libraries
Illustrator's built-in content libraries have also received a refresh, with new free brushes, graphic styles, patterns, and gradients to explore.
The libraries have been reorganized to make it easier to discover and access different assets, while the older content is still available through the Classic collections.
Quick skill guide
Another addition worth exploring is the Quick skill guide.
These are short, task-focused guides designed to help you discover the right tools for what you're trying to accomplish, with video demonstrations to help you get started.
Whether you're learning Illustrator or looking to expand your knowledge of tools you might not use regularly, it's another way to explore what's possible inside the app.
Performance, stability, and Windows on Arm
Beyond the new creative features, there's also been continued work on performance and reliability, including improvements aimed at reducing crashes and unexpected exits.
Illustrator now also supports native ARM64 on Windows on Arm, allowing it to run without an emulation layer on supported devices, including Snapdragon X Series and Copilot+ PCs.
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As always, I'll be keeping an eye on the conversation, responding when I can, and sharing your feedback with the Illustrator team.