The most recent updates, as highlighted in the Adobe Illustrator release notes , introduce several major tools:
| Save As Option | Opened By | Limitations | |----------------|-----------|--------------| | | Same major version or newer | Cannot be opened in older versions | | AI (legacy, e.g., CS6) | That version or newer | New features (e.g., freeform gradients) become flattened/uneditable | | PDF (compatible) | Most earlier versions, Acrobat | Layers may be preserved but editing limited | | EPS | Very old versions (Illustrator 8+) | No transparency, no artboards | illustrator version
| Version | Release Year | Notable Features | File Format (AI) | |---------|--------------|------------------|------------------| | | 2012 | Last perpetual license version; 64-bit only; pattern tool, image trace improvements | AI CS6 (v16) | | Illustrator CC 2014 | 2014 | Creative Cloud debut; live shapes, pencil smoothing, linked assets | AI CC (v18) | | Illustrator CC 2015 | 2015 | Shaper tool, creative cloud libraries, faster zoom/pan | AI CC (v19) | | Illustrator CC 2017 | 2016 | Variable fonts, capture CC integration, properties panel | AI CC (v21) | | Illustrator CC 2018 | 2017 | Puppet warp, new trim view, 1000 artboards | AI CC (v22) | | Illustrator CC 2019 | 2018 | Freeform gradients, global edit, custom toolbars | AI CC (v23) | | Illustrator CC 2020 | 2019 | Auto trace (simplified), improved text-to-vector (beta) | AI CC (v24) | | Illustrator CC 2021 | 2020 | Cloud documents, remove background, rotate canvas | AI CC (v25) | | Illustrator CC 2022 | 2021 | Intertwine, 3D effects (true 3D revamp), share for review | AI CC (v26) | | Illustrator CC 2023 | 2022 | Quick actions, mockup (beta), Retype (restore fonts from images) | AI CC (v27) | | Illustrator CC 2024 | 2023 | Text to pattern, AI-powered vector generation, improved 3D | AI CC (v28) | | Illustrator CC 2025 | 2024 | Generative shape fill, dimension tool, enhanced cloud collaboration | AI CC (v29) | The most recent updates, as highlighted in the
“CC” versions are subscription-only (Creative Cloud). CS6 and earlier are perpetual but no longer updated. The most recent updates
Modern Illustrator versions have shifted toward assistive intelligence. Features like "Image Trace" automated the once-tedious process of vectorizing rasters. The introduction of the "Contextual Task Bar" and AI-driven suggestions in recent versions has changed the workflow from constructing to curating .
This report clarifies the evolution of Adobe Illustrator, focusing on: