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Things that I don't like about Illustrator

Posted: 08-03-2004, 04:30 PM
mikedfunk@adobeforums.com
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Feel free to add on.

Gripe list:

-why, oh why, after 11 versions, am I unable to use eyedropper functionality to set the color for a gradient stop point? i am tired of temporarily memorizing rgb values and inputting them into the gradient panel. I click on a stop point, and the color panel color changes. I click on that, and it changes the object to solid at the color of the stop point. brilliant. (sarcasm)

-speaking of gradients, it is downright silly that I can't set the transparency of a gradient stop point. Positively loony.

-why are there 400 million panels. come on. a context-sensitive panel in the way of photoshop's options panel or InDesign's top panel or even the dreaded Fireworks panel would eliminate about 200 million of them. for God's sake, people, cut the red tape and just fix the stupid stuff. My favorite is the document info panel. I keep that stretched to half my screen most of the time.

-why can't i set transparency by hitting a number like photoshop. we're all adobe, here. share with photoshop.

-why can't I alt-~ or ctrl-tab to switch windows. i am sick of hitting window and scrolling waaay to the bottom and picking out my file.

-why are files bigger just because of a bigger canvas size. I thought we were talking vector graphics here.

-why can't I copy the appearance from one object to another? think PS layer styles.

-why does linking graphics (apparently) embed a full-resolution preview of the linked graphic? This almost defeats the purpose of linking. I should be able to set a low res preview of my linked graphics.

-I would rather save the extra startup time in Illustrator CS and turn off WYSYWIG font menus. I can't see them big enough to decide anyway and it lags just to display the menu. And it's not consistent between adobe products. another fine example of an idea that looked great on paper.

-why do strokes always stroke outside AND inside an object? I want to be able to decide, like on photoshop's stroke layer style dialog.

to be continued...
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Responses to "Things that I don't like about Illustrator"

Bert Philippus
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 04:37 PM


Things that I don't like about Illustrator




It's a free country. Get a different program.

Bert
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shawnp80@adobeforums.com
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 04:40 PM
Use Microsoft Paint
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Eric_Schwartz@adobeforums.com
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 04:55 PM
Mike:

Add your "wish list" items to the official Adobe Feature Request form page:

<http://www.adobe.com/support/feature.html>

You can also add these to the separate thread "Feature Requests" which is a better place for this type of content.

Most software companies prioritize some of the new feature development based on the demand. If you don't officially tell them, they won't know how important it is to the masses.

Regarding some of your other comments, there are already methods in place (like Ctrl+F6 to switch windows).

Some of the other comments I don't see in the latest version (CS), like bloated file sizes if the page size is larger (assuming your content is identical).
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mikedfunk@adobeforums.com
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 05:47 PM
I will add my wish list. Thanks for the tip. Please describe any other methods besides the helpful ctrl-F6 that I may be missing.

Regarding using another program such as the ubiquitous and comprable Microsoft Paint: although it's tempting, I'll stick with adobe for now. what kind of advice is that: if Illustrator does something poorly, instead of criticizing how poorly it does something, just say at least it's better than paint? seriously, this was titled "things I don't like about illustrator," not,"reasons I'm giving up illustrator in favor of another program that does things better." I am comparing illustrator to how I think it should be, not to another program. Having said that, I will post my list in the feature request forum so that this post can be potentially productive and not just a gripe.
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Bert Philippus
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 05:55 PM
GOOD IDEA
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Eddie_Ostrowski@adobeforums.com
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 06:25 PM
If I'm interpreting you correctly, this suggestion may solve your 1st gripe. Try this: With the Gradient Palette open, highlight any gradient slider by clicking on it. Next, with the Eyedropper Tool, hold the Shift key down and click on any color. Your chosen gradient slider will now change to the color you clicked on without having to copy/insert any values. Eddie
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Bert Philippus
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 07:11 PM
Eddie:

I really don't think the original poster was interested in finding out HOW to do all the things he says are impossible in Illustrator (90% of his gripes are due to lack of knowledge), he just wanted to gripe.

Actually, you need to use the Alt key to apply a swatch to a gradient slider.

Bert
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mikedfunk@adobeforums.com
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 07:23 PM
thanks eddie!!! That helps a lot! I always wondered if I was missing that somehow.
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mikedfunk@adobeforums.com
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Re: Things that I don't like about Illustrator
Posted: 08-03-2004, 07:37 PM
I am not trying to apply a swatch to a gradient slider, I am trying to eyedrop a color on the canvas. although that is helpful.

and yes, I am griping. but I am also interested in finding out how to do these things, even if I'm wrong.

Do you have solutions to 90% of my questions? if not, how are 90% of my gripes due to lack of knowledge? break it on down:

#1: solved, this was due to my lack of knowledge.

#2: I know I could implement an opacity mask, but I am looking for transparency functionality on a specific gradient slider ala photoshop. posting in feature request...

#3: you gotta admit the panels are a bit out of control. Although this is more organizational than anything. The only panel mess that tops Illustrator is InDesign.

#4: still can't set transparency numerically with the keyboard that I know of.

#5: gripe solved. This was also due to my lack of knowledge.

#6: I recently recreated a file from Illustrator in InDesign with all linked graphics. The same file in Illustrator was 400mb. In InDesign it was 50mb.

#7: unless I'm mistaken, you can't turn off wysywig menus. I'd rather ctrl-shift-. to go through the larger-size fonts to preview them with custom text.

#8: Once again, unless I'm mistaken, you can't specify where the stroke is applied. You can say how the corners are rendered, but not inside, outside, or both.

Please let me know if I'm wrong
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