Transition to subscription; cloud-syncing and Behance integration. CC 2018 (v22) Puppet Warp, up to 1,000 artboards, and Variable Fonts. 2019 2020 (v24) Cloud Documents and 100x larger canvas. 2021 2022 (v26) Advanced 3D and materials; native support for Apple M1. 2023 2024 (v28)
Illustrator became part of a larger ecosystem, improving integration with InDesign and Flash.
Introduced Multiple Artboards , allowing designers to manage complex projects in one file. adobe illustrator versions by year
Adobe Illustrator has defined the vector graphics industry for nearly four decades. Since its debut in , it has evolved from a simple PostScript drawing tool into an AI-powered powerhouse. The Early Years: Foundations of Vector (1987–1996)
Added Smart Guides , the Pencil tool, and Gradient Mesh. 2021 2022 (v26) Advanced 3D and materials; native
Rebuilt with the Adobe Mercury Performance System for 64-bit speed. The Creative Cloud (CC) & AI Era (2013–Present)
Brought transparency, drop shadows, and native PDF support. Adobe Illustrator has defined the vector graphics industry
(Firefly-powered AI) and the Dimension tool. 2025 2026 (v30)
Introduced 3D effects and OpenType support.