First Windows version to support live editing in preview mode. 5.0 Introduction of Layers and the Gradient tool. 1996 6.0 Added the Eyedropper and Paint Bucket tools. 1997 7.0 First version to unify the Mac and Windows interfaces. 1998 8.0 Introduction of the Gradient Mesh and Smart Guides. 2000 9.0 Added support for Transparencies and PDF export. 2001 10.0
From the pixel-less screens of 1987 to the AI-driven canvas of 2024, Illustrator’s version history mirrors the history of graphic design itself. While the numbering system has changed—from decimals to CS to CC—the core promise remains the same: infinite scalability with mathematically perfect precision. adobe illustrator versions by year