Adobe Illustrator Versions By Year

The Freeform Gradient. A new way to make complex color meshes without the complexity of the old mesh tool.

The Final "Numeric" Version. The last version to not use the "CS" branding. It focused on automation and web graphics. adobe illustrator versions by year

This era saw Adobe absorb its rival (Macromedia) and transition from numbered versions to the "CS" branding. The Freeform Gradient

The AI inflection point (pre-Generative AI). Version 27.0 focused on Mockup (automatically warping vectors onto product photos like t-shirts or mugs) and Retype (identify fonts from raster images or outlined text). It also added Shared Comments (real-time annotation). 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.

The Freeform Gradient. A new way to make complex color meshes without the complexity of the old mesh tool.

The Final "Numeric" Version. The last version to not use the "CS" branding. It focused on automation and web graphics.

This era saw Adobe absorb its rival (Macromedia) and transition from numbered versions to the "CS" branding.

The AI inflection point (pre-Generative AI). Version 27.0 focused on Mockup (automatically warping vectors onto product photos like t-shirts or mugs) and Retype (identify fonts from raster images or outlined text). It also added Shared Comments (real-time annotation).

The Web & Transparency Shift. As the internet boomed, Illustrator pivoted. This version introduced pixel previews and web-safe color palettes.