Introduced 3D effects (extrude and revolve) and OpenType support.
Focused on multi-artboard workflows with multiple artboards per document, blob brush (drawing like a marker but creating editable shapes), and a smoother gradient tool .
A quality-of-life masterpiece. CS2 introduced the (turning raster images into editable vectors with incredible control) and Live Paint (filling overlapping paths like a coloring book without merging them). It also added Vanishing Point -style perspective grids. Many designers consider CS2 the "golden" version—stable, fast, and feature-complete.
Adobe Illustrator has spent nearly four decades as the gold standard for vector design. Since its debut in 1987, it has evolved from a niche tool for automating ink-and-pen tasks into an AI-powered powerhouse. The Classic Era (1987–2001) adobe illustrator versions by year
The Web & Transparency Shift. As the internet boomed, Illustrator pivoted. This version introduced pixel previews and web-safe color palettes.
Enhanced text-handling capabilities, solidifying its place in publication design.
With CC, Adobe abandoned perpetual licenses for a monthly subscription, delivering small feature updates every few months rather than giant yearly releases. Introduced 3D effects (extrude and revolve) and OpenType
: Intertwine tool (weaving paths), Share for Review, and direct copy-pasting of text from InDesign. 2023: Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28) Key Focus : Commercial introduction of Generative AI.
- Adobe moved to a subscription model. Key additions included the Curvature tool , Live Shapes, and tighter integration with Typekit (now Adobe Fonts).
(Mac) Live editing in preview, , and custom graph creation. 1996 6.0 Added Gradients , Eye Dropper, and Paint Bucket tools. 1997 7.0 CS2 introduced the (turning raster images into editable
Introduced and the ability to edit in preview mode for Mac users. 1996 6.0 Added the Eyedropper tool , Paint Bucket, and Gradients. The Standardization Era (1997–2002)
Focus: . This version gave us Visual Font Browsing (see font previews in the character panel), Align to Glyph (precise alignment of objects to the edge of a letter), and the Font Selfie feature (create custom fonts from sketches). It also added Quick Actions (one-click vectorization or color adjustment).
Invention of PostScript/Bezier workflows, cross-platform porting. 1997–2002
The first attempt at a Windows version, though it saw limited success compared to the Mac original.
The AI Era (Firefly). Adobe integrated its generative AI model, Firefly, directly into the Illustrator workflow. This was the largest shift since the CS to CC move.