Illustrator 2024 v28.6 | Generative Shape Fill, Text to Pattern, Text to Vector Graphic and more!

[Srishti Bali]

Hello everyone, 

We're excited to announce that Adobe Illustrator's latest update (version 28.6) is now available for download via Creative Cloud Desktop. This release introduces the new Generative Shape Fill (beta) feature, powered by the latest Firefly Vector Model, which allows you to quickly add detailed vectors to your existing shapes  and accelerate your workflows. Additionally, we've made enhancements to Text to Vector (beta), Text to Pattern (beta), Retype (beta), Mockup (beta), and more!

You may also visit the links to access comprehensive lists of all the features and bug fixes that are available.

Update the App Try out the Latest Features and Enhancements in Illustrator!

Update Illustrator

Generative Shape Fill (beta) Accelerate existing workflows by quickly adding detailed vectors to shapes that can match the style and color of your artwork. Learn more about Generative Shape Fill.

Text to Pattern (beta) Explore the power of Text to Pattern (beta) to ideate intricate vector patterns using simple text prompts. Learn more about Text to Pattern. Note: Text to Pattern (beta), formerly part of Text to Vector Graphic (beta), is now a standalone feature.

Text to Vector Graphic (beta) With this release, we've revamped the UI for the Text to Vector panel, now renamed to Generate Vectors. The updated version includes options to edit your creations with effects and offers enhanced customization with new powerful creative controls. Learn more about Text to Vector Graphic.

Mockup (beta) The updated Mockup (beta) feature now empowers you to replicate artwork onto various objects such as product packaging, mugs, and T-shirts. With the latest version, you can use your own raster images and save up to 20 templates. Additionally, you can access free curated image templates in the Mockup panel to create your mockups. Learn more about Mockup.

Retype (beta) Retype is now more accessible than ever, as you no longer need a GPU to match fonts or edit outlined text. However, a GPU is still required to edit text within images. Additionally, enjoy improved accuracy in font matching for smaller outlined text. Learn more about Retype.

10x faster Pan and Zoom Experience significantly faster pan and zoom operations, ensuring smoother navigation, especially with large files. To enhance your panning experience, Illustrator hides annotations such as guides, perspective grids, object selections, and anchor points. However, artboard boundaries remain visible during panning. There are no changes to annotations while zooming.

Discover improvements based on your feedback

Open a specific page from your PDF file When opening a PDF file in Illustrator, you now have the choice to import the exact page displayed in the preview. Easily navigate through the preview pages to locate and open the specific page you require.

Export Illustrator files as PDF Now in Illustrator, exporting as PDF is straightforward. Navigate to File > Export > Export As and choose PDF from the drop-down menu. Customize your settings using either default options or personalized presets.

Ability to copy names of missing links Now, you can easily copy the names of linked files by selecting Links panel menu > Copy Info. With this copied information, effortlessly locate or modify the files on your computer.

Fixed Issues Illustrator v28.6 also includes several improvements and bug fixes, including: Generative AI onboarding pop-ups won't close. (UserVoice) Error launching Illustrator 28.5: dxcore.dll not found (UserVoice)

See What's New for more information on the latest features. To help us have focused discussions, create separate posts for feedback on features related to this update. 

Thanks,
Srishti

If you've found value in this post, a friendly upvote would be fantastic. Your thoughts are even more precious – share them with us in the discussion!

[Nicktendo28]

Great new updates!

[Julius Atienza Aala]

Great updates. Thank you for these very helpful tools.

[creative explorer]

this is so cool! 

[Michael Ambroise]

That's great !

[J E L]

Terrific! 

[Daniel Kramer]

Nice Updates

[Lynn3889994406d1]

These all seem great but I am not sure what changed.  AI 28.6 now struggles to manipulate even a simple, ~210 kB scatter plot PS file.  It takes several seconds to type a single word and I can barely accomplish even the simplest tasks in less than 30 seconds (something that used to be nearly instant).

[Monika Gause]

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@Lynn3889994406d1  schrieb:

These all seem great but I am not sure what changed.  AI 28.6 now struggles to manipulate even a simple, ~210 kB scatter plot PS file.  It takes several seconds to type a single word and I can barely accomplish even the simplest tasks in less than 30 seconds (something that used to be nearly instant).

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Which system is it?

How much RAM is installed?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Lynn3889994406d1,

We understand that encountering technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind trying the suggestions shared in this help article (https://adobe.ly/4d5fRGR) and letting us know if it helps?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Victoria Borrowdale]

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[Victoria Borrowdale]

Following.

[@mj]

Retype is wild

[KShinabery212]

Can you edit the patterns? Some turn out great. But I would love to edit parts and have it update throughout the pattern. As that would make life easier.

[Monika Gause]

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@KShinabery212 wrote:

Can you edit the patterns? Some turn out great. 

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Yes: https://youtu.be/_I6GH-XouNU 

[@mj]

yup, almost like a gen fill

[Kaylee37867372fyym]

hi, how come this update totally runied my lines? the are rough edged now and white gaps between line and fill color.  I dont know that to do Ive been stalled with work since this happened.

[Monika Gause]

Please show a screenshots

[Kaylee37867372fyym]

[Monika Gause]

Those faint white lines have always been there. They are a rendering issue of 100K. Are your files for printing? Do the lines appear in print?

And the "rough" edges are because of the rendering on screen as well. Your monitor still has pixels. And curves need to be rendered on them.

[Kaylee37867372fyym]

hi, thank you for your replies.  Yes, the files are for printing.  Making stickers with silhouette.  Soooo I design the sticker on illustrator at the dimensions it will be, no big deal I'll just export it as a PNG at 300ppi that should work. So I do that and it exports exactly how it looks on illustrator, prints the exact same way. I have a home laser printer.  I can't stress enough that everything was perfect before the latest update, but now those files open with the issue.  Anyways, I chat with adobe support (last night), he remote enters my computer yadda yadda, the solution is I have to only use the pencil tool moving forward and convert all text to shapes via outline, oh and redo my finished projects this way. Seems like a lot considering it was not this way before the update ( and I pay $ for this), paintbrush was smooth and always rendered, text fine without converting etc etc. Even the pdfs opened in Illustrator to print are wonky now.  Thank you for reading my novella, stay tuned for the next installation haha. For real, thanks in advance for any help.

[Kaylee37867372fyym]

Sorry, I forgot to add, the pencil still looks off, not like before.  I dont think its truly a "solution"

[Monika Gause]

 the solution is I have to only use the pencil tool moving forward and convert all text to shapes via outline, oh and redo my finished projects this way. 

By @Kaylee37867372fyym

No, that is not a solution and certainly not "the" solution.

Do you need to send PNG files to your laser printer? I would rather try and send PDFs. With a PostScript enabled laser printer that should give you the smoothest curves.

As for the faint white lines: sending PDFs should take care of that as well.

If you need to send PNGs: it makes no sense at all to work in CMYK color space, because PNG do not support that anyway. Work in RGB and then the faint white lines will be gone.

[Kaylee37867372fyym]

What I have been doing is exporting the image from illustrator as a png to silhouette, making the sticker sheet there, "printing" with microsoft print to PDF, opening that pdf in illustrator and printing from there.  Is that sending a pdf to the printer correctly? thanks so much, truly 

[Monika Gause]

That looks like a convoluted workflow. You can use Illustrator for making a sticker sheet. Do everything inside of Illustrator and then send directly.

For duplicating the image on your stickersheet there are different methods available such as the transform effect or converting the art to a symbol and then duplicating that.

With your workflow you introduce several possible sources of problems into your workflow.