Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Custom Tools panels
You may find yourself using a specific set of tools most of the time. In Illustrator,
you can create custom tools panels that contain the tools you use most often.
By choosing Window > Tools > New Tools Panel, you can create a custom tools
panel. They are saved with Illustrator and can be closed and opened, regardless of
which document is open. They are free-floating, and can also be docked and
saved in a custom workspace you create. Each new custom tools panel has stroke
and fill controls at the bottom, and a plus sign (+) where you can drag copies of
tools from the main Tools panel onto the custom panel you are creating.
Note:
Dragging tools from the default Tools panel copies them to the custom tools
panel, rather than moves them.
Exploring the Control panel
The Control panel is the panel that's docked at the top of the workspace, just above the
docked Tools panel. It offers quick access to options, commands, and other panels relevant
to the currently selected content. You can click text like “Stroke” or “Opacity” to display a
related panel. For example, clicking the word “Stroke” will display the Stroke panel.
1.
Select the Selection tool ( ) in the Tools panel, and click the letter “f” in the word
“fiber” in the artwork on the artboard.
Notice that options for that object appear in the Control panel, including the word
“Group,” color options, Stroke, and more.
