: If you find the default interface cluttered, you can now drag and drop to create a Custom Toolbar that only contains the tools you actually use. Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 BEST NEW FEATURES
If you are currently using this specific version, these tools will make your life significantly easier: Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 v23.1
Imagine you are a designer tasked with updating a brand’s entire identity across dozens of artboards. Before this version, even small changes were a tedious, multi-hour ordeal. : If you find the default interface cluttered,
: One of the most significant shifts in this version was the Global Edit feature. Previously, if you had a logo or icon repeated across 50 different artboards, you would have to find and replace every single instance manually. With Global Edit, you could simply select one object, and Illustrator would automatically find all similar instances across the entire project. Changing the color of one logo updated all 50 instantly, turning a day-long task into a few seconds. : One of the most significant shifts in
: Designers often had to export their files to PDFs or PowerPoint just to show a client. This version introduced Presentation Mode , which hides the interface and turns each artboard into a full-screen slide. Combined with Trim View , which hides everything outside the artboard (like "messy" paths or notes in the margins), you could present professional-quality work directly within Illustrator. Helpful Tips for v23.1 Users
: You can preview thousands of Adobe Fonts (formerly Typekit) directly in the font menu without downloading them first. You can even filter fonts by characteristics like "Serif" or "Handwritten".
: Creating natural-looking shadows or lighting used to require complex "Gradient Meshes" that were difficult to master. Version 23.1 popularized Freeform Gradients , which allowed you to simply drop points of color anywhere on an object. These points blended organically, making it easier than ever to create photo-realistic lighting effects.