Those working on lower resolution monitors may feel the crunch. While these design changes are welcome, the new user interface elements (check boxes, buttons, etc.) are a few pixels larger than in previous version, resulting in a user interface that takes up more screen real estate. In the process, Adobe made some improvements, such as an easier-to-navigate Preferences dialog box, a more consistent Control panel, a redesigned Color panel featuring a larger color ramp and a hexadecimal field for working with web colors, and more. Due to the 64-bit work that was done in Illustrator (more on that in a moment), Adobe had to move to a completely new user interface infrastructure, meaning that every single panel and dialog box had to be rewritten. Illustrator CS6 has more than just a fresh coat of paint. Illustrator CS6 features the “dark” user interface, similar to what’s in Photoshop CS6, After Effects, and Premiere Pro. In brighter environments (like well-lit studios), using a brighter setting will probably feel more comfortable. I find that when I’m working in darker environments, the dark UI blends into my environment letting me focus on my artwork.
When you launch Illustrator CS6, you’re greeted with the new “dark user interface.” While it has a modern feel to it, you’re free to adjust the brightness of the interface to your liking, via a setting in Preferences. More after the jump! Continue reading below↓įree and Premium members see fewer ads! Sign up and log-in today. A few minutes later, I was able to launch the new version of Illustrator on my desktop.
A single click on the install button in the Adobe Application Manager and Adobe Illustrator CS6 was being installed in the background (the application is downloaded from the Internet and then installed on your computer).
I decided to upgrade my Adobe applications via an Adobe Creative Cloud membership, so the installation process of Illustrator CS6 was virtually transparent. If you purchase Illustrator CS6 either as a part of one of Adobe’s Creative Suite packages or as a standalone application, you’ll be taken through the usual installation process. Does it live up to the hype? Let’s take a closer look.
With a new 64-bit architecture in version CS6, the promise of a faster and more stable version of Illustrator has summoned the interest of many. In previous versions though, Illustrator’s underlying technology wasn’t nearly as modern, and those who rely heavily on this powerhouse vector application are familiar with trying performance and untimely crashes. Today, Illustrator continues to be an integral part of a designer’s modern toolkit. It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago, Adobe Illustrator came on the scene, playing a significant part in redefining the design and publishing industry. Image tracing still relies on confusing settings. Pros: 64-bit support, fun-to-use pattern feature, significantly better performance with certain files, gradients on stroke, and better results with image tracing.Ĭons: Updated user interface uses more space, making for limited real estate on lower resolution displays.