illustrator changing color picker to wheel

Illustrator Changing Color Picker to Wheel

In recent updates of Adobe Illustrator, the color picker has undergone a significant change. Gone are the days of linear color selection; instead, we now have a wheel-based interface that simplifies the process of selecting colors for our designs. In this article, we'll explore how to use this new feature and why it's a game-changer for designers.

Before diving into the details, let's take a look at what the new color picker looks like. Upon launching Live Color, you'll see two lists of colors: Current Colors in the left column and New Colors in the right column. The Current column contains the colors that your artwork is currently made up of, while the New column contains the colors that you will be changing your artwork to.

To get started, simply drag a color from the New column onto another color in the same column. This will swap their positions, allowing you to easily create new color combinations. For example, if you want to replace the dark brown color with the caramel color, all you need to do is drag the caramel color onto the dark brown color.

But what about recoloring seamless repeating patterns? In the past, designers would often edit the pattern by dragging it out of the swatch panel, editing it, and then dragging it back in. This process can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially when working with complex designs. Thankfully, the new Live Color feature makes it easy to recolor patterns without having to manually edit each instance.

To access the Live Color feature, select an instance of your pattern and choose Edit > Edit Colors > Recolor Artwork or click on the color wheel icon in your control bar. You can then select a new color from the New column and apply it to your design with just a few clicks.

The benefits of using the new color picker are numerous. Not only does it simplify the process of selecting colors, but it also allows for more intuitive color manipulation. Designers can easily experiment with different color combinations and see the results in real-time, without having to worry about manually editing each instance of their design.

In conclusion, the new color picker in Adobe Illustrator is a major improvement over previous versions. Its wheel-based interface makes it easy to select and manipulate colors, allowing designers to focus on what they do best: creating stunning designs. Whether you're working with seamless repeating patterns or individual objects, the new Live Color feature is sure to become your go-to tool for recoloring artwork.

Illustrator changing color picker to wheel