Adobe | Illustrator Versions By Year

A seismic shift. Released on both Mac and, for the first time, SunOS (Unix), version 3.0 introduced PostScript fills (gradients) and the Blend tool (morphing shapes). Crucially, it added the ability to outline fonts, solving a major font-rendering problem in printing. However, Windows users were still left in the cold.

The and Beautiful Strokes . CS5 introduced the Perspective Grid Tool (drawing 1-, 2-, or 3-point perspective in real-time). More importantly, it added variable-width strokes (you could taper a line like a calligraphic pen) and the Bristle Brush (simulating paintbrush textures). It also dramatically improved the anti-aliasing of vector art on-screen. adobe illustrator versions by year