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 ›

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.

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.

Define up to 100 working areas in one file. Paste objects in place across artboards for repeating artwork on multiple web pages, screens, or frames.

Interact with gradients directly on your object — defining the dimension of elliptical gradients, editing colors, and adjusting opacity. Even create gradients on strokes and meshes.

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

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.

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.

Edit object characteristics directly in the Appearance panel, eliminating the need to open fill, stroke, or effects panels.

Make symbols with powerful 9-slice scaling and registration point control. Use layers to create extremely complex symbols that are repeatable to keep file sizes small.

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

Combine styles for unique effects and increased efficiency. Apply styles without disturbing appearances. Enjoy thumbnail previews and an expanded library of prebuilt styles.

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.

Set up new documents with pixel-grid alignment from web and mobile device profiles, which also include relevant dimensions, color groups, and more.

See how your vector artwork will look when rasterized using the Pixel Preview mode. Edit your artwork and preview the changes live — as you work.

Explore, apply, and control color variations. Interactively edit colors on any selection using the Color Guide to assist with themes and Recolor Artwork to quickly apply them.

Sample colors quickly and precisely using an expandable color spectrum in the Color panel. Copy and paste hex values into other applications to help ensure color consistency.