Adobe Systems Inc. today announced the immediate availability of Illustrator 10, the latest major upgrade to its vector graphics software package. The software ships ready for Mac OS X.
New features have been added to Illustrator including support for symbols, which enables users to automatically change file specs and manage repetition of artwork. Object-based slicing is new, too — users can slice objects, groups or layers and specify raster and vector format options for each slice.
Other new enhancements include support for data-drive graphics, enabling users to automate the creation of graphics and artwork variations using scripts or dynamic image servers. New live effects include Live Distortion, which you can use to bend and manipulate graphics and text using live enveloping, liquify tools and warp effects. Symbolism tools add the ability for users to create repeating elements by spraying instances of a symbol onto the artboard, creating what Adobe calls “naturalistic masses.”
Illustrator 10 also features enhanced integration with Adobe’s other products, from AlterCast to Premiere.
Adobe president and CEO said unequivocally that Mac OS X is the future for Adobe and its customers, and gave an outline of what’s to come.
“With its enhanced stability and new features, we can deliver the best applications ever. Adobe Illustrator 10 is the first of our flagship products being released on Mac OS X, with the rest of our major titles to follow during the coming six months,” said Chizen.
Adobe Illustrator 10 is available in the U.S. and Canada now for US$399. Current users can upgrade for $149.