Adobe ® Illustrator ® Symbols (Shapes)

How to install the Illustrator symbols / shapes tutorial in CS5 CS4 CS3 CS2 etc

You can place the symbols files in the presets folder 'symbols' - you can find this in the Illustrator folder in 'program files' on the PC and 'applications' on the MAC OS X.

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Example above shows the AI files in the presets folder for the symbols on the PC (on the mac, just place in the equivalent applications folder)

1) Folder browser / file explorer

2) go to the C drive (on the pc or HD on the mac)

3) 'program files'

4) 'adobe'

5) 'adobe Illustrator CS5' or earlier

6) 'presets'

7) depends on the language - my PC has en_GB but if you are based in the US, it will be en_US

8) symbols

You will find symbols file there, you can add additional symbol AI files to this folder (though you might have to enter your admin password depending on your account as this is in the application space on your machine)

Having the library file placed in the presets folder means the symbols can be accessed via the right side menu drop down without having to search for the file

Other library browse for symbols tutorial

Another option is to just use the symbols palette and the right side menu and select other library command.

Using the other library option means the items can be placed in any folder you wish.

Example above shows the open symbol library command - use that to quickly load a symbol shapes set

1) window > symbols (if the symbols palette is not visible)

2) right side of the symbols palette > menu

3) Open symbol library

4) Other library ...

5) Browse for the library

Accessing symbols library in Illustrator tutorial

Once you have opened a symbols library, either via the other library option or via the right side menu list

Select a symbol in the library file and the symbol will be placed in the document's palette for symbols.

Please note that many of our earlier sets included the shape designs only in the palette itself and if opened the file will appear empty. Go to the window > symbols to see all the designs.

How to use symbols in Illustrator ?

The designs can be simply added to the document by dragging from the symbols palette onto the document. Multiple instances of the designs can be added with little overhead to the application

After that the symbols can be used in countless ways such as a source for frames, brushes, paths, in animations, as backgrounds and so much more. They are a wonderful toolkit of designs for Illustrator

How to apply / use symbols in Illustrator ?

The paths can be applied via the sprayer tool.

They can be added by simply dragging onto the document. The designs can be sprayed throughout the document, overlapped and much more.

How to scale / re-color the designs in Illustrator tutorial ?

The designs can be tinted and re-size and angled via the symbol spray tool, simply select a color and select the symbol stainer tool and apply to any shape in the document

How to replace an Illustrator symbol with another tutorial ?

One useful hint: the shapes can be exchanged for another design at any point in the creative process. Simple select the design, select the new symbol in the palette and select replace from the symbol menu

example above shows the replace symbol command found on the Illustrator symbols palette

1) select design

2) go to the palette

3) select the new design to use

4) use the 'replace symbol' command

How to use shapes as normal paths in Illustrator ?

The vector artwork designs can also be simply expanded and used as a normal path. Select the design and expand via the path menu. Once expanded, ungroup the individual elements of the group and then re-color, re-size, angle etc as desired and if you wish, re-save the group as a new symbol

How to get more Illustrator symbols ?

You can get 1000s of symbols via this site, there are over 80 themed packs - totally 1000s and 1000s of great designs. There are, of course, many others on other websites.

This is the official site for graphicxtras presets.

How to export shapes from Illustrator tutorial ?

The art designs can be easily exported to other application. Simply drag the design from the symbols palette and then go to the export menu and export to PNG, JPG as required - you can see the list below which also includes bmp, pct, autocad and other formats.

Example above shows a cat being exported from Illustrator - a range of formats are available such as DWG (selected) - one I use most is probably the PNG format

You can also export a design to another application such as Photoshop via the pasteboard / clipboard.