To use Adobe Illustrator, create a document, draw and combine shapes, add color and text, then save an editable Illustrator file and export your finished artwork. Start with these everyday tools before moving on to detailed paths. The desktop steps below apply to Windows and macOS.
The short version
- Start a document: Open File > New, choose a preset, adjust its dimensions, and select Create.
- Build with shapes: Draw with Rectangle, move objects with Selection, and merge regions with Shape Builder.
- Add your content: Use Fill and Stroke for colors and Type for headings or paragraphs.
- Keep an editable copy: Save an AI file before exporting artwork for sharing.
| Task | Tool or starting point |
|---|---|
| Install Illustrator | Creative Cloud desktop app, Apps > All apps |
| Create a document | File > New |
| Choose a toolbar | Window > Toolbars |
| Zoom and pan | Zoom and Hand |
| Find a tool or lesson | Help > Illustrator Help |
| Reverse or restore an edit | Edit > Undo or Redo |
| Draw a rectangle | Rectangle, M |
| Move a whole object | Selection, V |
| Move points or segments | Direct Selection, A |
| Combine shapes | Shape Builder, Shift + M |
| Draw curves by placing points | Curvature |
| Draw precise paths | Pen, P |
| Draw freehand | Pencil, N |
| Color an object’s interior | Fill |
| Color an outline | Stroke |
| Change an artwork’s palette | Edit > Edit Colors > Recolor Artwork |
| Add text | Type, T |
| Organize layers | Window > Layers |
| Add artboards | Window > Artboards |
| Import an image | File > Place |
| Convert an image to vector artwork | Window > Image Trace |
| Save a local AI file | File > Save As |
| Save a new cloud document | File > Save |
| Export PNG, JPEG, or SVG | File > Export > Export As |
| Export a PDF | Adobe PDF (*.PDF) in Export As |
| Export multiple sizes | File > Export > Export for Screens |
Install Illustrator on your computer
Open the Adobe Illustrator product page and select Free trial to begin the trial signup and installation process, or choose a subscription. Desktop access requires an Illustrator subscription or trial and a compatible Windows computer or Mac.
If you already have the Creative Cloud desktop app, open Apps > All apps, locate Illustrator, and select Install. Complete the installer’s onscreen instructions, then open Illustrator.
Create your first document
Choose File > New, then select a category such as Print, Web, or Art & Illustration. Pick a preset and adjust its dimensions and other settings under Preset Details. Select Create to open the document.
Find missing tools and fix your view
Select Window > Toolbars > Getting Started for the beginner tool collection. The same menu also offers the Basic and Advanced toolbars, and Advanced displays all available tools. Hold the mouse button on a tool icon to reveal its hidden tools, and hover over a tool to see its keyboard shortcut.
Use Zoom and click to magnify your artwork. Hold Alt on Windows or Option on macOS while clicking to reduce magnification, and drag with Hand to pan. To bring the artboard back into view, select View > Fit Artboard in Window.
When you need to locate a tool, open Help > Illustrator Help or press F1. Search the Discover panel for the tool or task, then select a tool or menu-item result to see its location in the interface. You can also hover over a toolbar tool and select Learn more.
Reverse an edit with Edit > Undo, or restore it with Edit > Redo. Repeat these commands to move through recent changes while you work. These editing controls do not recover history after the document has been closed.
Draw and combine simple shapes
Select Rectangle or press M, then drag across the artboard to draw a rectangle. Hold Shift while dragging to make a square. For precise dimensions, adjust the values under Properties > Rectangle.
Switch to Selection or press V, click the object, and drag it into position. This tool selects the whole object. To change individual points or segments, choose Direct Selection or press A, select the object to reveal its anchors and segments, then move the point or segment you want to reshape.
To build a larger form from smaller shapes, select the shapes you want to combine. Choose Shape Builder or press Shift + M, then drag across the regions you want to merge and release.
Add curves and freehand paths
Choose Curvature to draw by placing points along a curve. Click successive positions to preview the developing curve, then drag points to reshape it. Double-click a point to switch between smooth and corner behavior, and press Esc to finish.
For paths made from straight segments and controlled curves, select Pen or press P. Click successive locations for straight segments, or drag while placing an anchor to create curve handles. Click the starting anchor to close the shape; to finish an open path, hold Ctrl on Windows or Command on macOS and click elsewhere.
If you prefer sketching, select Pencil or press N, then drag to draw a freehand path. Hold Alt on Windows or Option on macOS while dragging for straight segments. Double-click Pencil to adjust its drawing options.
Apply colors and add text
Select an object, double-click Fill in the toolbar, and choose a color in Color Picker. Select OK to apply it. To color the selected object’s outline, double-click Stroke, choose its color in Color Picker, and select OK.
To adjust an artwork’s palette, select the artwork and open Edit > Edit Colors > Recolor Artwork. Choose a palette from Color Library, adjust the color wheel, or select Color Theme Picker and click a reference image or object.
Add a heading by selecting Type or pressing T, clicking once, and typing. For paragraph text, drag a text container instead of clicking once. To put text inside an existing closed shape, click its path with Type selected.
Organize artwork and bring in images
Open Window > Layers and select Create New Layer to add a layer for organizing your artwork. For nested organization, select a parent layer and choose Create New Sublayer.
To add another artboard, open Window > Artboards and select New Artboard. Open Artboard Options to set its name, dimensions, and orientation, then select OK. Use View > Fit All in Window to see all your artboards together.
Bring in an existing image with File > Place, then choose a supported source file. Select Link if you want a linked asset, select Place, and position the artwork on the canvas. To import cloud assets, select Place from Adobe cloud storage in the same workflow.
For a photo or scanned sketch you want to convert into vector artwork, place the image and open Window > Image Trace. Choose a tracing preset and adjust its options. For a quick tracing route, select the image and choose Image Trace in the Contextual Task Bar or Properties panel.
Save an editable Illustrator file
Keep an editable master by selecting File > Save As or File > Save A Copy. Choose a filename and local destination, select Illustrator (*.AI), and select Save. Review Illustrator Options and select OK.
For a new document you want to store in Creative Cloud, select File > Save. Select Save to Adobe cloud storage in the Save As dialog box, type a name, and select Save, then access the document later through Your files on the Home screen. Illustrator cloud documents use the .aic format and can be accessed on desktop and iPad with the same Adobe account.
Export your finished artwork
Choose File > Export > Export As, enter a filename and destination, and select a format such as PNG, JPEG, or SVG. Select Use Artboards to use the artboard bounds, then select Export and complete the format options. For a transparent PNG, choose Transparent under Background Color.
To create a PDF through the export workflow, choose Adobe PDF (*.PDF) in Export As and select Export. Choose the PDF preset or settings, then select Export PDF. Keep the separate AI master you saved for continued editing.
When you need several artboards or assets at multiple sizes, open File > Export > Export for Screens. Choose Artboards or Assets, select the items, and set the destination, format, and scale. Use Add Scale for additional outputs, then select Export Artboards or Export Assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you start with a template instead of a blank document?
You can start with an Adobe Stock template through File > New. Choose a category and a design under Templates, then select See Preview, Download, and Open. Adobe Stock template availability and licensing apply.
How do you start using Illustrator on an iPad?
On a compatible iPad with Illustrator installed and the applicable plan, tap Create new, choose a preset under Print, Screen, or Illustration, and tap Create file. Your documents are automatically saved as cloud documents. Tap Learn on the Home screen for the app tour and tutorials; lesson availability can depend on membership.
Can you use Illustrator in a browser?
You can use Illustrator on the web (Beta), subject to account eligibility and browser requirements. Open Chrome or Microsoft Edge, visit illustrator.adobe.com, and select Sign in to authenticate with your Adobe account. On the homepage, select Create, choose a template or Custom blank size, and select Create again.
Can Illustrator generate artwork from a description?
You can use Generate Vectors in desktop Illustrator with generative-feature access, subject to model, region, account, and credit restrictions. Draw and select a rectangle, select Generate Vectors in the Contextual Task Bar, and enter a description. Choose Scene, Subject, or Icon and adjust the settings. If you chose Auto Select as the model, select Continue, then select Generate in the Suggested Model dialog box; if you chose a model manually, select Generate.