When Adobe released its subscription-based app suite, Creative Cloud, earlier this summer, we had some mixed feelings on the pricing structure. Clearly, the monthly cost was a great value for the CS6 Master Collection, but the overall package was a bit slim in regards to additional applications. Thankfully, Adobe continues to update Creative Cloud with new functionality, and today subscribers receive new additions in the way of Illustrator.
Adobe is giving members early access, adding Illustrator functions to Creative Cloud that non-subscribers won't see until CS7. The new features look to assist designers with more seamless delivery of projects to clients or team members.
“As soon as our engineering teams can finalize new features, like the ones we’re seeing for Illustrator today, we will release special Creative Cloud editions of our desktop software, only available to Adobe Creative Cloud members,” said Adobe's Jeffrey Veen, via press release.
Package Files, which Adobe refers to as a "long-requested feature," will allow users to gather all of the elements within an Illustrator project -- fonts, graphics, etc. -- into just one folder. Hopefully, this should cut down on missing files when handing off a project.
The Illustrator update will also allow artists to unembed images from within an Illustrator file. No more tracking back through the production chain to grab an image, which seems to build off the Package Files concept.
Lastly, Illustrator will now feature new enhancements to the Links Panel. According to Adobe, the new function should make it easier to quickly check out all of the pertinent information -- like output requirements -- of artwork in Illustrator.
Today's update arrives only a week since Adobe added new functionality to Muse. More Creative Cloud updates are still planned for September, including iPad publishing through Digital Publishing Suite, Single Edition. Subscribers will also receive early access to planned CS7 features for Dreamweaver.
Creative Cloud is $49.99/month (12-month contract) or $74.99 month-to-month. Owners of Creative Suite products -- CS3 or later -- are still able to grab Creative Cloud for $29.99/month for the first 12 months.
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