Illustrator CS6 / Features

Work with precision, speed, and rock-solid stability on large, complex files due to native 64-bit support on Mac OS and Windows®, with RAM and overall performance optimization.

More about the Mercury Performance System ›

Draw strokes with variable widths, quickly and smoothly adjusting at any point. Create and save width profiles and apply them to any stroke, or use variable-width presets.

Easily create seamlessly tiled vector patterns. Experiment freely with different types of repeating patterns that can be edited at any time for maximum design flexibility.

Confidently convert raster images to editable vectors with a powerful tracing engine. Get clean lines, accurate fitting, and reliable results using simple, intuitive controls.

Create and align vector objects precisely on the file's pixel grid for clean, sharp raster graphics. Use text anti-aliasing options for individual text frames.

Use perspective grids to draw shapes and scenes in accurate 1-, 2-, or 3-point linear perspective, creating the look of realistic depth and distance.

Apply gradients to your strokes — along the length, across the width, or within the stroke itself — all with complete control over gradient placement and opacity.

Take fewer steps to accomplish daily tasks with a streamlined interface. Enjoy inline editing of layer names, precise color sampling, and UI brightness that's smoothly adjustable to match other Adobe tools.

Organize and view up to 100 artboards of varying sizes overlapping or on a grid. Quickly add, delete, reorder, and name. Save, export, and print independently or together.

Intuitively combine, edit, and fill shapes directly on your artboard without accessing multiple tools and panels.

Paint with vectors that resemble real-world brush strokes. Achieve the expressiveness of natural media with the scalability of vector graphics.

Work intuitively with arrowheads. Control placement and scaling from within the Stroke panel, even choosing whether to lock the tip or base to the path endpoint.

Draw behind elements, disregarding stacking order. Draw or place an image inside an element, instantly creating a clipping mask.

Control alignment of dashes on a stroke. Define symmetrical dashes around corners and at the ends of open paths, with lengths adjusted automatically to fit.

Scale art and pattern brushes along a path. Choose areas of the brush you wish to stretch and those you wish to keep in proportion, such as the ends of a banner.

See effects such as drop shadows, blurs, and textures maintain their appearance across media. Raster effects look the same no matter how your resolution settings change.