The latest version of Adobe Illustrator on desktop is the July 2024 release, version 28.6. There are many exciting new features in this update, improvements to Retype (beta) and Mockup (beta), addition of Generate Pattern (beta), and the ability to export as a pdf!
Also, in version 28.6, there were substantial updates to Text to Vector Graphic, including upgrades to prompting, references, and refining results, all of which allow users to kick their vector art up a notch.
Prompting
Writing an effective prompt can be the most important part of AI-generated content. Prompts aid the vector model in creating accurate content and get you closer to your vision. Get inspiration from the premade prompts or use them as a base to write your own.
New prompt suggestions help along the way while writing a custom prompt. These suggestions can help take a basic prompt to the next level or serve as another source of inspiration to users who struggle to write effective prompts.
For example, I know I want to generate an elephant herd. Prompt suggestions help to set the scene further and add details, creating a better result.
Generative Vectors
Generate Vectors allows users to create editable, scalable vector scenes, subjects, or icons from a simple prompt. Now users can refine their results even more with features like style reference, effects, and color and tone.
Style Reference
This powerful feature lets you add an asset as a reference for new variations. Use style reference to create matching assets or define a style from already created artwork. Make cohesive custom icons in a fraction of the time by using the first as a style reference, as shown in the left example. Generated icons also now have an editable stroke to ensure all icons have a matching stroke width.
Toggle the auto setting on in the top of the window to have the variations match the objects surrounding the selection. This is helpful for creating subjects within a scene, shown in the right example with the fish and coral being added to the ocean scene.
Effects and Color
Add preset effects before generating them to ensure your desired outcome without adding them to the prompt. I find that adding effects seems to be more effective than writing the same thing, particularly with flat design.
Within the color tab you can limit the number of colors in the variations, or add specific colors from the swatches panel. Specifying colors removes the extra step of having to edit content to the correct colors after generating.
Managing Results
Within the properties panel, see all the variations that have been generated for the selection. If one variation feels more accurate, right click and choose “generate similar” to create 3 more close variations. Right click and delete unused options to keep the panel clear.
Go to Window > Generated Variations to see everything that has been generated within that session, not just the selected object. Note that any deleted variations will NOT appear in this window.
Generative Shape Fill
Fill a vector shape with generated graphics. Enter options similar to generating vectors, like prompt, reference, effects, and color, and adjust the detail slider. Something that differs from Generate Vectors is the shape strength slider. This determines how close the generated variations will be to the original shape.
The example below shows the same star shape filled with fruit and vegetables. The left star has tight shape strength, where the right star is loose shape strength.
Summary
The latest updates to Illustrator and the Adobe Firefly vector model is certainly more effective and user friendly. Prompt suggestions, style references, specify color, and generate similar all streamline the experience of using Text to Vector Graphics and reduce the number of edits that have to be made to generated content. Install Version 28.6 and experiment with all the latest features!