5 Illustrator Plug-ins To Spark Your Creative Side

5 time saving Illustrator plug-ins that will spark your creative side

9/5/2017

First off, let's define what a plug-in actually is: A plug-in (or add-on, extension, script) is a software component that adds a specific feature or tool(s) to an existing computer program e.g. Adobe Illustrator. Plug-ins help us to work in Illustrator faster, more comfortably, and even eliminate the need for use of other applications, such as bitmap editors.

Do you NEED them? No, absolutely not. Are they fun? Yes. Will they save you time? Yes.

Let's take a look at a few of my favorites...

*This post contains affiliate links

1. MAGIC PATTERN PRO ILLUSTRATOR SCRIPT
Magic Pattern Pro is a script for Adobe Illustrator which automatically creates seamless patterns from any sample of your art. There are 20 templates of patterns inside!
This plug-in allows you to fast and easily create patterns on the Artboard. There is also a new feature called “Create All” which makes 20 seamless patterns with one click.
Compatibility: Adobe Illustrator CS5, Adobe Illustrator CS6, Adobe Illustrator CC. Script version is universal for Windows and Macintosh OS.

2. Fontself: Make fonts in Illustrator
You can now easily turn your own lettering into actual fonts! It's easy with this plug-in: just drag & drop any letter, icon or symbol to the Fontself Maker panel, and BOOOM, you've just created a font. Export it as standard OpenType .otf font file in one click and have fun with your new font! You’re going to have so much fun with this one.

3. SUPER MAGIC ERASER
Super Magic Eraser is a script for Adobe Illustrator which automatically cuts and deletes vector objects outside Artboard. Cuts linear and radial gradient correctly. Keeps pictures editable after usage with accurate and clean results. Has new stable algorithm to prevent freezing your computer with big vector files. Also script can create clipping masks instead of crop.
Super Magic Eraser script is perfect for cropping seamless patterns and vector images for microstocks and preparing pictures for printing.
Compatibility: Adobe Illustrator CS6, Adobe Illustrator CC. Script version is universal for Windows and Macintosh OS.

4. Watercolor Pro Effects
Watercolor Pro Edition is a solid effect bundle designed for illustrator CS5 and up. Made from high resolutions scans of real watercolor, the effect is super realistic and very easy to use. The bundle comes with 49 watercolor background tiles, a set of 12 watercolor AI brushes, over 50 realistic paint splats, and 42 instant watercolor effect graphic styles. These work great on the included watercolor paper graphic styles.
This seller also includes a video tutorial showing exactly how to use the plug-in! Awesome.

5. Mandala Creator - Floral Edition
A 'Must Have' for making cards, coloring books, wall decals, t-shirts and much more. You own the rights to the mandalas you create - start a business, sell stock, make coloring books - the possibilities are unlimited!
Mandala Creator Pro is a unique tool that lets you create your own mandalas in just minutes. It has an easy interface that works perfectly with adobe illustrator to create mathematically perfect mandala rings. This version (Floral Edition) contains over 200 unique patterns that you can combine in an unlimited and unique fashion.
This product also comes with a video tutorial so you know exactly how to use it!

affordable ways to learn...

The Ultimate Illustrator Resource Guide

$15.99

Get access to over 150 links to FREE tutorials, FREE templates, FREE vector downloads, money making ideas, merchandise and books!!

FREE ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIAL VIDEOS

-64 links to Illustrator VIDEO Tutorials

-Beginners Techniques

-Intermediate Techniques

-Pen Tool

-Logo Design

-Create Your Own Font

-Social Media Graphics

-Design & Layout

ILLUSTRATOR PAID LEARNING INVESTMENTS

-10 links to online Illustrator investments (paid learning)

FREE ILLUSTRATOR DESIGN ASSETS

-25 links to FREE templates

-15 links to FREE brushes (some links have 50+ brushes)

-25 links to FREE vector icons

-10 links to FREE font websites

ILLUSTRATOR CAREERS

-25 links to money making ideas using Illustrator

-10 links to help you get started freelanceing

-9 links to help you build a strong portfolio

-10 links to the best Illustrator design portfolios

ILLUSTRATOR GOOD READS

-5 top selling Illustrator paper books to curve your cravings

Illustrator MERCH

- 9 links to some cool Illustrator inspired merchandise

Shop

Complete Beginner's Guide To Adobe Illustrator

$15.99

This PDF eBook includes 37 pages of my written guidance for everything a complete beginner will need to know in order to function and start creating vector graphics with Adobe Illustrator.

CHAPTER 1: Creating a New Document
CHAPTER 2: Customizing Your Workspace
CHAPTER 3: Tool Infographic (function of each tool)
CHAPTER 4: Color Basics (how to change colors, use swatches and PMS colors)
CHAPTER 5: Manipulating Type and Text
CHAPTER 6: Rulers, Guides and Grids
CHAPTER 7: How to Group Objects, Create Compound Paths and Clipping Masks
CHAPTER 8: Mastering the PEN TOOL!!
CHAPTER 9: How to turn raster images into vector graphics using Image Trace
CHAPTER 10: How to Save (and/or) Export Your Documents Correctly

Shop

The Ultimate PHOTOSHOP Resource Guide

$15.99

Whether you are advanced in your Photoshop skills or just starting to unleash it's powerful capabilities, The Ultimate Photoshop Resource Guide is for you. I have spent hours and hours searching and compiling the BEST, FREE Photoshop video tutorials, FREE Photoshop actions and FREE Photoshop templates... and organized them neatly inside a single PDF download!
WHAT'S INSIDE THE RESOURCE GUIDE?