Jul 19
Adobe Illustrator Shortcuts
If you liked my previous article on Photoshop shortcuts, you’ll probably find this post useful. Here are 26 Illustrator shortcuts that can help you to speed up productivity. I use most of them (in fact, I can’t work without them). Most of shortcuts listed in this article aren’t documented in the software, so keep reading and you’re sure to find at least one new trick to put up your sleeve. Enjoy!
Note: this article is written in Mac Illustrator CS3 format. If you are using PC, Cmd key = Ctrl key and Opt = Alt.
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Change the Unit Setting
You can quickly change the Artboard unit measurement setting by right-clicking on the ruler.
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Activate Tool Options
With the tool selected, (e.g. Blend Tool), press the Enter key to open up the Blend Options window. Another way to open up the tool option panel is to double-click on the tool icon.
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Duplicate a Series of Objects
Select the object, hold down Option key and drag. You now have a copy of the object. Each time you press Cmd + D (Transform Again) you distribute more copies.
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Draw Shape with Options
Select any shape tool, (e.g. Star Tool), click anywhere on the Artboard, it will let you draw a shape with options.
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Zoom With Mouse Wheel
Hold down Option key & scroll the mouse wheel up or down to zoom in/out
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Gradient Stop Color
To quickly change a gradient stop color to any color swatch in the library: select a gradient stop, hold down Option key and click on a swatch.
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Switch Color Profile
Hold down Shift key and click on the color bar will let you toggle through the color profiles: Grayscale, RGB, HSB, CMYK, Web Safe RGB.
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Layer Visibility
Cmd + Click Visibility Icon = toggle view mode (Outline/Preview)
Opt + Click Visibility Icon = hide other layers (Opt + click again will show all)
Click Visibility Icon & Drag = toggle multi layers
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New Layer
Cmd + L = New layer
Cmd + Opt + L = New layer with options
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Select All Objects on Layer
To select all objects on a particular layer, hold down Option key and click on the layer name.
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Navigate Live Paint Bucket Color
With the Live Paint Bucket tool selected, click on any swatch in the Color palette, now use the arrow keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) to navigate through the swatches.
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Fill and Stroke Color
D = Default color (white fill & black stroke)
X = Toggle between fill and stroke
Shift + X = Swap fill and stroke color
/ = None (transparent)
< = Color fill
> = Gradient fill
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Saturate or Desaturate Color
Holding down Cmd key and dragging the color slider will saturate or desaturate a mixed color.
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Increase/Decrease Input Field Value
Place the cursor in any input field, press arrow Up or Down to increase/decrease.
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Close Pencil or Brush Path
By default, Illustrator will use close a Pencil and Brush path. To close a Pencil path manually, hold down Option key when you are about to finish drawing the path.
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Add or Subtract Sides
With the Star Tool, drag on the Artboard (do not release the mouse yet), press Up or Down arrow to add/subtract sides. Notes: this shortcut can also works for the Arc, Spiral, Rectangle Grid, Polar Grid, Polygon, and Flare Tool.
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Inner Radius
With the Star Tool, drag on the Artboard (do not release the mouse yet), holding down the Cmd key while dragging will let you control the inner radius. This shortcut also works for the Spiral Tool.
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Continuous Duplicates Based on Mouse Movement
With any shape tool, holding down the Tilde (~) key while dragging will make continuous duplicates based on your mouse movement. This is a very useful shortcut to create fun and complex artwork.
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Straight Sided Star
With the Star Tool, while dragging holding down the Option key will let you draw a straight side star.
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Lock and Unlock Objects
Cmd + 2 = Lock selected object(s)
Cmd + Opt + Shift + 2 = Lock all deselected objects
Cmd + Opt + 2 = Unlock all -
Switch Between Move and Selection Tool
Cmd + Opt + Tab = Switch between Move and Direct Selection Tool.
Option (Direct Selection Tool selected) = toggle to Group Selection Tool.
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Hide and Show Objects
Cmd + Opt + Shift + 3 = Hide all deselected objects
Cmd + Opt + 3 = Show all objects -
Eyedropper - Sample Photo or Gradient Color
To sample intermediate color from a gradient or photo: with the Eyedropper tool selected, hold down Shift key and click on the photo.
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Make and Release Guide
Cmd + 5 = Convert selected object to Guide
Cmd + Shift + double-click on Guide = Release Guide
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Font: Size, Leading, Kerning and Tracking
Cmd + Shift + > or < = Increase/decrease font size
Opt + Up or Down = Increase/decrease leading
Opt + Left or Right = Increase/decrease kerning or tracking
Cmd + Opt + Q = Reset kerning/tracking to zero -
Add New Fill and Stroke
Cmd + / = Add new fill
Cmd + Opt + / = Add new stroke
Final Remarks
If you are interested in learning more Illustrator stuffs, try my Illustrator tutorials. I haven’t updated the Illustrator tutorials in a while because I’m busy testing Illustrator CS4 Beta version. As soon Adobe officially releases CS4, I’ll work on posting some Illustrator CS4 reviews and tutorials.
Photoshop: Hand Drawn Design Partigen Component Giveaways
Comments
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There are 156 comments (+Add)
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156 Basit Javed http://www.ukcignow.com
March 18th, 2010 at 7:06 am
This website is one of my favorite website, i have found so many interesting posts in this website, please keep putting these posts, so special for Graphic/web. Please also visit Dubai best projects on UKCIG Dubai
155 emma
March 16th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
thanks for this. Very useful!
154 Simon
January 12th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Toggling between internal windows has always been a pain but I finally found someone who knows that CTRL+F6 will do the trick. That’s one that should be passed along.
153 marvin
January 7th, 2010 at 3:58 am
Hey, I’m trying to make a comment board a bit like this one but it is getting seriously spammed. How do you prevent spam?
152 vincentdresses http://www.hibridal.com
January 5th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
The designs showed here show what simple and tasteful design is all about. Another one to consider
151 Patrick Houston http://www.patrickhouston.com
December 27th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I’ve been using Adobe Illustrator since version 1.1, and thought I knew all the shortcuts. You’ve given me a couple of very useful new ones.
Thanks.
150 mooboo
December 15th, 2009 at 4:03 am
sfda
149 Shifa
December 7th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
very useful shortcuts!! =)
thank you so much for your effort!
148 Birgit http://ice-horse.de
November 15th, 2009 at 5:17 am
as always, very helpful (only 15 and 18 don’t work for me - mac cs4). thanks!
does anybody know how to change the zoom in shortcut from cmd+= to cmd++?
147 Bally Chohan http://www.ballychohan.info
November 5th, 2009 at 3:37 am
I really like your website and tutorials i am also trying to make a website to teach people web design but in a different way where people can see me online and with chat i can give lecture.
visit me on : Bally Chohan Design Tips
thanks.