Learn how the Contextual Task Bar helps you easily access the most frequently used options in Adobe Illustrator.
Contextual Task Bar
The Contextual Task Bar is a floating bar on the canvas that provides the most relevant next actions for the object or tool you select. It ensures that your focus remains on the object you're working on.
You can move the Contextual Task Bar around to where you want it to be. You can also reset its position, pin it, or hide it by selecting More options . To enable it again after hiding it, navigate to Window > Contextual Task Bar.
Options shown for different objects and tools
Blank canvas
When you open a new document, the Contextual Task Bar gives you the tools and features to start your creative journey quickly. You can use Draw (Pencil) to create freeform drawings, Generate Vectors to ideate on designs, or Place Image to import an image.
Generative AI features are available wherever Adobe provides services. It isn't available for users in mainland China.
Selection tool and paths
When you select a path with the Selection tool, the Contextual Task Bar gives you various editing options. You can use Gen Shape Fill to fill your selection with vector graphics, and Fill and Stroke to change the colors.
You get additional options based on the type of path you select:
Path type | Options |
Open path | Use Join Path to connect the ends of the path, and Edit Path to switch to the Direct Selection tool and make the necessary edits. |
Shape (closed path) | Use Edit Path to make the necessary edits, and Lock Object to prevent accidental edits. For a basic shape created with tools such as the Rectangle tool and the Star tool, you get the option to adjust its properties instead of Lock Object. |
Multiple paths and shapes | Use Group to work on them as a single shape, and Align to arrange them in various ways. If the selected shapes are of different colors, you also get Recolor to refine their color scheme. |
Grouped paths and shapes | Use Ungroup to ungroup them, Isolate group to edit them in isolation mode, and Recolor object to recolor them. |
Use the Contextual Task Bar to modify paths.
Selection tool and Compound Path
When you create a Compound Path and select it with the Selection tool, the Contextual Task Bar gives you Gen Shape Fill, Edit Path, Fill, and Stroke. Release lets you separate the shapes.
Basic shape tools
When you use the Rectangle tool, the Rounded Rectangle tool, the Ellipse tool, the Polygon tool, or the Star tool to add shapes to the canvas, the Contextual Task Bar gives you Gen Shape Fill, Edit Path, Fill, and Stroke. You can also adjust the properties of the shape you add.
With the Rectangle tool and the Rounded Rectangle tool, you also get Generate Vectors.
Direct Selection tool and paths
When you select a path with the Direct Selection tool, the Contextual Task Bar gives you options to edit the path and its anchor points:
- Simplify reduces the path's anchor points and Smooth adjusts its curvature.
- Remove selected anchor points, Connect selected end points, Cut path at selected anchor points, Convert selected anchor points to corner, and Convert selected anchor points to smooth let you work on specific anchor points.
Use the Contextual Task Bar to edit a star and smooth a path.
Text
When you use any of the Type tools to add text to the canvas, the Contextual Task Bar gives you various text formatting options, such as Set the font family, Font Style, Set the Font size, and Fill.
When you select the text with the Selection tool, you get additional options based on the type of text:
Text type |
Options |
Point text |
Use Area type to convert the text to area text. |
Area text |
Use Point type to convert the text to point text. |
Text on a path |
Use Type On Path to add an effect and rearrange the text. |
You can use Outline the text to work on the text like other vector shapes.
When you select the Touch type tool, the Contextual Task Bar disappears to let you use the tool's onscreen widgets.
Images
When you select an image with the Selection tool, the Contextual Task Bar gives you options for both vector and raster workflows. Image Trace lets you easily vectorize the image. Retype allows you to edit text within the image using suggested fonts. You can use Crop Image to remove unwanted parts of the image.
You get additional options based on whether the image is linked or embedded:
Image type | Options |
Linked image | Use Embed Image to unlink the image from its source file, Relink to fix missing links, and Edit the image in Photoshop for advanced editing options. |
Embedded image | Use Relink to link the image to its source file. |
Use the Contextual Task Bar to edit text and an image.
Images and vectors
When you select an image and a vector together with the Selection tool, the Contextual Task Bar gives you Clip Mask to create a Clipping Mask, Create Mockup to fit the vector on an object in the image, Align, and Group.
Clipping Mask
When you create a Clipping Mask using vector objects and select it with the Selection tool, the Contextual Task Bar gives you Edit Mask to edit it in isolation mode, and Release to release it. You can also use Gen Shape Fill.
Mockup
When you select a mockup group with the Selection tool, the Contextual Task Bar gives you Edit Content to edit the vector object, and Release to release the vector object and the image. When you edit the vector object, you get Edit Symbol to edit the object's corresponding symbol.
Other tools
When you use the Artboard tool, the Smooth tool, the Free Transform tool, the Dimension tool, and the Objects on Path tool, the Contextual Task Bar gives you the relevant tool options.
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