Generate and refine icon sets using Icon Sheets

Last updated on Nov 4, 2026

Learn how to generate, refine, and place consistent, editable vector icons in Adobe Illustrator using simple prompts.

  Explore the beta app
Icon Sheets (beta) is now available for testing and feedback. Try it now in Illustrator (beta).

Note

Icon Sheets (beta) is currently only available in the latest English version of Illustrator (beta).

Use Icon Sheets (beta) to generate a consistent set of icons with matching styles, colors, and stroke weights, or explore different variations of a single icon. Describe the icons you want to generate, then select a generated icon to edit it or create variations. Preview your icons on light or dark backgrounds before placing them on the artboard.

Icon Sheets creates editable vector icons with each object on a separate layer, so you can move or adjust individual parts without leaving any gaps behind.

Illustrator artboard with four casino icons and the Icon Sheets panel showing generated icons and customization options.
Generate and place a consistent set of casino-themed icons on the artboard using Icon Sheets.

Generate a set of icons

Describe the icons you want to generate. For more precise results, specify each icon in your prompt. If your prompt is broad, Illustrator selects icons that match your description.

In the Contextual Task Bar, select Icon Sheets  .

You can also access Icon Sheets   from the Quick Actions section in the Properties panel, the Control panel, Object > Generative > Icon Sheets, or Window > Icon Sheets. Alternatively, select the Generative   icon in the toolbar, and then choose Create consistent icons.

Choose a model from the Model drop-down menu. Some models are partner models.

Select A set of icons.

Describe the set in the prompt box. To review how Illustrator interpreted your prompt, select Expand icon list  . The list names each icon that Illustrator generates.

Sample prompt: Create icons for a mobile card game app.

Alternatively, under Prompt inspiration, select a sample icon set to populate the prompt and its available style settings. You can modify the prompt and settings before generating the icons.

Icon Sheets panel showing prompt inspiration for web, weather, e-commerce, media player, file manager, and social app icons.
Explore prompt inspiration to generate icon sets in different styles using the Icon Sheets panel.

Choose how many icons to generate: Auto, 1, 4, 8, or 16. Select Auto to let Illustrator determine the number of icons based on your prompt.

Select Generate  . The icons appear in the panel.

To change the size of icon previews in the panel, select Smaller thumbnails   or Larger thumbnails   at the bottom-right of the panel.


All icons in a set share a consistent style, color, and stroke weight. To create another icon set, open the set dropdown at the top of the Icon Sheets panel, and then select New set.

Manage icon sets

Use the set selector in the Icon Sheets panel to switch between existing icon sets or create a new set.

To rename or delete a set, open More options   for the current set, and then select Rename set or Delete set.

Match a style and set colors

Customize the style and colors of your icon set before generating it.

In Style  , select a style source:

  • Auto: Uses the prompt to determine the style.

  • Reference: Uses an uploaded image or artwork from the canvas as a style reference.

  • Effects: Lets you choose a Filled or Outline preset to define the icon style.

To use a style reference, select Reference under Style   . Select Choose asset   to upload an image, or use the eyedropper to select artwork on the canvas.

To remove the applied style settings, select Clear all next to Appearance  .

To reuse the look of a generated icon, hover over the icon, select More options   , and then select Use as style reference. Illustrator applies the selected icon as a style reference for subsequent generations.

Note
  • You can use canvas artwork only as a style reference. You can't move canvas artwork into the panel.
  • When you use a style reference, Color and Tone   is unavailable. Illustrator uses the colors from the reference image or artwork instead.

In Style  , select Effects, and then choose a Filled or Outline preset to apply to the icons.

Icon Sheets panel showing a selected casino table icon, Filled effect presets, and the Update icon option.
Customize the appearance of a generated icon using Filled effect presets in the Icon Sheets panel.

In Color and Tone   , select a Color Presets option:

  • Auto: Lets Illustrator determine the colors.

  • Black and white: Generates icons in black and white.

  • Multicolor: Lets you specify the number of colors and choose individual colors.

To use custom colors, select Multicolor from Color Presets. Then, specify the No. of colors value and select Add color  , next to Specify Colors to choose your preferred colors.

Select Generate  . The icons appear in the panel.

Generate variations of one icon

Generate multiple variations of an icon by changing its structure, style, or both to explore different design options.

Select Variations of one.

Describe the icon in the prompt box, such as gear.

Alternatively, under Prompt inspiration, select a sample icon, such as camera, settings, heart, or star, to populate the prompt. You can modify the prompt and appearance settings before generating variations.

In Number of variations, select 4, 8, or 16 to specify how many variations Illustrator generates.

Adjust Style   and Color and Tone   if you want to guide the look.

Icon Sheets panel showing Variations of one, a selected style reference image, and 16 variations.
Use a style reference to guide the appearance of icon variations.

Select Generate  . Illustrator generates the number of icon variations as specified in Number of variations.


Create variations of a generated icon

Create variations of an existing icon to explore different styles, structures, or both.

Select an icon in the set. The options for that icon appear in the panel.

Select Variations.

Choose what changes in the variations:

  • Structure keeps the design language and changes the structure of the icon.
  • Style shows the icon in different styles and keeps the structure similar.
  • Both changes the style and the structure.

In Number of variations, select 4, 8, or 16 to specify how many variations Illustrator generates.

Icon Sheets panel showing four mail icon variations, Style selected, and options to generate 4, 8, or 16 variations.
Create variations of a generated icon by changing its style, structure, or both.

Select Generate variations. New icons based on the selected icon appear in the panel.

Edit a generated icon using a prompt

Refine a generated icon by describing the changes you want to make. Your edits apply only to the selected icon.

Select an icon in the set.

Select Edit.

In the prompt box, describe the changes you want to make to the selected icon.

Sample prompt: Create a playing card icon within a circle.

Adjust Style   and Color and Tone   to refine its appearance.

Icon Sheets panel showing the Edit tab, a text prompt, Multicolor preset, six color swatches, and Update icon.
Edit a generated icon and customize its colors using a text prompt.

Select Update icon. Illustrator updates the icon in the panel.

Note

Variations and edits are available only when you select one icon.

Regenerate icons

Regenerate one or more icons to explore different results using the same prompt.

Select two or more icons in the set.

Select Regenerate. Illustrator regenerates the selected icons using the original prompt and displays the new results in the panel.

Tip

To regenerate a single icon, select the icon, open Edit, and then select Update icon without changing the prompt or settings.

Adjust weight, corners, and color

Fine-tune the stroke weight, corner style, and color of a generated icon.

Select an icon in the generated set to open its individual editing controls in the Icon Sheets panel.

Use the available controls to fine-tune the selected icon:

  • Weight: Adjusts the thickness of the icon's strokes.
  • Corners: Adjusts the corners between sharp and rounded.
  • Color: Selects the color swatch to choose a different color for a single-color icon.
Note

The available controls depend on the selected icon. Weight appears for icons with adjustable strokes, Corners for icons with corners that can be rounded, and Color for single-color icons.

Look for the blue dot on the selected icon's thumbnail. It indicates that you've modified the icon after it was generated.

Preview icons on a light or dark background

Preview your icons on a light or dark background to see how they look before placing them on the artboard.

Select Light background   or Dark background   at the bottom of the Icon Sheets panel to change the preview background.

To use a custom background color, right-click or press and hold Light background   or Dark background  , and then choose a color from the swatches.

The selected color is applied to the preview background, allowing you to check how the icons appear against different colors.

When you place the icons, the background color carries over to the artboard.

Place icons on the artboard

Place an individual icon or the entire icon set on the artboard to continue editing the vector artwork.

To select all generated icons, select Select all. To clear the selection, select Deselect. 

To place an individual icon on the artboard, use any of the following methods:

  • Double-click the icon.
  • Hover over the icon >  More options   > Place on artboard  .
  • Drag and drop the icon from the Icon Sheets panel onto the canvas.
Illustrator showing a blue mail icon on the artboard and the Place on artboard option in the Icon Sheets menu.
Place a generated icon on the artboard using the More options menu.

To place the entire icon set, select Place all in the Icon Sheets panel.

Once placed on the artboard, the icons become editable vector artwork with strokes preserved, allowing you to move and edit individual elements independently.

Delete, rate, and provide feedback

To delete an icon from the set, hover over it, select More options   , and then select Delete.

To rate the generated results, select Good results   or Poor results   . To provide additional feedback, select Share feedback   and follow the onscreen instructions.