Open Path: Join & Edit

When you select an open path, you can use the Join Path feature to connect its ends and switch to the Direct Selection Tool to Edit Path and make precise adjustments to anchor points.

Organize, Align & Recolor

Use Group to combine multiple paths and shapes into a single unit for easier management and Align to arrange them precisely. For grouped shapes, use Ungroup to work on individual elements or Isolate group to edit them in isolation mode. Harmonize or refine the color scheme of your selection with the Recolor option, especially when dealing with elements of varying colors.

Repeat & Duplicate

Utilize the Repeat Object to create various repeating patterns with your grouped paths and shapes. Use the Duplicate Object to create additional copies as needed, enabling efficient design iterations and variations.

Compound Path: Edit & Release

When you create a compound path and select it with the Selection tool, the Contextual Task Bar offers options such as Gen Shape Fill, Edit Path, Fill, and Stroke. Use Release to separate the shapes in the compound path.

Basic Shape Tools

Adding shapes with the Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, and Star tools provides you with Contextual Task Bar options like Gen Shape Fill, Edit Path, Fill, and Stroke. You can also adjust the properties of each shape added to the canvas.

Text: Format & Convert

Using the Type tools to add text to your canvas gives you a range of formatting options in the Contextual Task Bar, including Set the Font family, Font style, Set the Font size, and Fill. When selecting text with the Selection tool, additional options are available based on the text type: Point Text: Convert to Area Text using Area type. Area Text: Convert to Point Text using Point type. Text on a Path: Use Type On Path to apply effects and rearrange the text. Additionally, you can Outline the text to work with it like other vector shapes. Note: When using the Touch Type Tool, the Contextual Task Bar hides, allowing you to adjust individual characters directly via onscreen widgets for more precise control.

Clipping Mask

Creating a clipping mask with vector objects allows you to use the Edit Mask feature to edit in isolation mode and Release to remove the mask. You can also apply Gen Shape Fill within the mask.

Vectorize, Edit & Manage Links

When selecting an image, the Contextual Task Bar provides options for both vector and raster workflows. Use Image Trace to vectorize, Retype to edit text within images, and Crop Image to remove unwanted sections. Based on whether an image is linked or embedded, you have further options: Linked Image: Embed image to unlink from the source file, Link image to fix missing links, or Edit the image in Photoshop for advanced edits. Embedded Image: Relink image to connect back to the original source file.

Images & Vectors

Selecting both images and vectors with the Selection tool reveals options like Clip Mask to create clipping masks, Align to arrange elements, and Group to manage them as a single unit.

Mockup: Create, Edit & Release

When selecting both an image and a vector together, you can use Create Mockup to fit the vector onto an object within the image, streamlining the mockup creation process. After creating the mockup, selecting the mockup group with the Selection Tool gives you options like Edit Content to modify the vector object and Release to separate the vector from the image. While editing the vector, you can also use Edit Symbol to adjust the corresponding symbol.

 

Tips and Other Menu Functionality

• Show Properties Panel
  You can quickly switch to the Full Panel for the Quick Action you are working on to have access to more controls and features by choosing Show Properties Panel from the “More menu.”

• Hide bar
  You can always hide the bar if you’d like to remove it completely or temporarily from the canvas. If you’d like to re-open the bar at any point, go to Window > Contextual Task Bar.

• Reset bar position
  The context bar moves with you as you work on the canvas, keeping relevant tools at your fingertips. If you would like to reset the position, you can do so from the “More menu.”

• Pin Bar Position
  You can pin the Contextual Task Bar to a fixed spot on your canvas, ensuring that it stays in place while you work. This allows you to keep your most-used tools consistently within reach. To pin the bar, simply select the option from the "More menu."

Known Limitations:

• When duplicating an object using the Contextual Task Bars, we cannot use the "Ctrl/Cmd + D" keys to duplicate our previous action.