| Year | Version | Platform / Codename | Notable Features | |------|---------|---------------------|-------------------| | 1987 | 1.0 | Mac only | Bezier curves, PostScript | | 1988 | 1.5 | Mac | Improved memory management | | 1989 | 2.0 | Mac | Text handling, layers (precursor) | | 1991 | 3.0 | Mac / first Windows | Windows 3.0 support, TrueType | | 1992 | 3.5 | Mac / Windows | Improved drawing tools | | 1993 | 4.0 | Windows only | (Windows exclusive version) | | 1994 | 5.0 | Mac | Live editing, multiple undo | | 1996 | 6.0 | Mac | Gradients, eyedropper tool | | 1997 | 7.0 | Mac / Windows | Common UI with Photoshop | | 1998 | 8.0 | Mac / Windows | “FreeHand killer” – smart guides, actions palette | | 2000 | 9.0 | Mac / Windows | Transparency, PDF support, SVG | | 2001 | 10.0 | Mac / Windows | Live effects, symbols, warp tools | | 2003 | CS (11.0) | Mac / Windows | 3D effects, multi-page printing | | 2005 | CS2 (12.0) | Mac / Windows | Live Trace, Live Paint, color management | | 2007 | CS3 (13.0) | Mac / Windows | Eraser tool, document profiles, improved UI | | 2008 | CS4 (14.0) | Mac / Windows | Multi-artboards, gradient on strokes, blobs | | 2010 | CS5 (15.0) | Mac / Windows | Perspective drawing, variable-width strokes | | 2012 | CS6 (16.0) | Mac / Windows | 64-bit only, new UI, image tracing | | 2013 | CC (17.0) | Subscription only | Cloud sync, touch support, fonts | | 2014 | CC 2014 (18.0) | CC | Linked assets, curve smoothing | | 2015 | CC 2015 (19.0) | CC | Shaper tool, live shapes | | 2016 | CC 2017 (21.0) | CC | Stock integration, team libraries | | 2017 | CC 2018 (22.0) | CC | Puppet warp, variable fonts | | 2018 | CC 2019 (23.0) | CC | Freeform gradients, global editing | | 2019 | CC 2020 (24.0) | CC | Auto-trace improvements, cloud docs | | 2020 | CC 2021 (25.0) | CC | Large canvas (100x), 3D effects (beta) | | 2021 | CC 2022 (26.0) | CC | 3D and materials, inter-app sharing | | 2022 | CC 2023 (27.0) | CC | Intertwine tool, share for review | | 2023 | CC 2024 (28.0) | CC | Mockup, Retype, improved text to vector | | 2024 | CC 2025 (29.0) | CC | Generative AI (Firefly), enhanced 3D | | 2025 | CC 2026 (30.0) | CC | AI-powered vector editing, performance |
The redemption story. Adobe finally aligned Illustrator tightly with Photoshop’s interface, bringing the now-ubiquitous . This was also the first version to support TrueType fonts consistently and introduced the Transform Each command. For many, version 7.0 marked the moment Illustrator stabilized into a mature professional tool.
This era focused on integrating Illustrator into a unified suite of design applications.
User interface overhaul and workflow enhancements. adobe illustrator versions by year
Here is the complete chronological history of Adobe Illustrator versions from 1987 to the present day. The Early Era: Macintosh Roots (1987–1988) 1987: Adobe Illustrator 1.0 January 1987 Platform: Apple Macintosh Key Focus: PostScript technology and font development.
The "Creative Suite" branding arrived. Key features included 3D effects (extrude, revolve) and optical kerning (auto-spacing between letters). It was a stability-focused release.
Illustrator 2026 (v30) – The current generation (released Oct 2025) features a refreshed font browser and enhanced gradient dithering for smoother color transitions. | Year | Version | Platform / Codename
Allowed design teams to share color palettes and assets instantly. 2016: Adobe Illustrator CC 2017 (Version 21)
3D extrude and revolve effects, OpenType font support, text styles, and the "Create Outlines" upgrade for complex typography. 2005: Adobe Illustrator CS2 (Version 12) Launch: April 2005 Platform: Mac and Windows Key Focus: Raster-to-vector conversion.
Introduced transparency, drop shadows, and native PDF support—essential for the growing web design market. For many, version 7
In 2013, Adobe transitioned to a subscription model, enabling continuous updates and cloud collaboration.
Eliminated the need for third-party raster-to-vector conversion software. 2007: Adobe Illustrator CS3 (Version 13)
Introduced the core Pen tool, which remains the software's most iconic feature. Illustrator 88 (1988): Added color support and the Auto Trace Version 5 (1993): A major leap that introduced
: Cloud ecosystem integration and mobile asset sharing.
Optimized for next-generation neural processing units (NPUs).