Using symbol libraries


    Illustrator comes with a wide variety of preset symbols. These are organized in collections called symbol libraries. You can open multiple symbol libraries to browse through their contents and select symbols. You can also create new symbol libraries.

    When you open a symbol library, it appears in a new palette. You select, sort, and view symbols in a symbol library the same as you do in the Symbols palette. (See Using the Symbols palette.) However, you can't add symbols to, delete symbols from, or edit the symbols in symbol libraries.

    Displaying symbol libraries

    Do any of the following:

    • Choose Window > Symbol Libraries, and choose a library from the submenu.
    • Choose Open Symbol Library from the Symbols palette menu, and choose a library from the submenu.
    • Choose Other Library from the submenu to import symbols from another document or to locate a library not stored in the default folder.
    • To automatically open a symbol library when you start Illustrator, choose Persistent from the symbol library's palette menu.

    Adding preset symbols to the Symbols palette

    To add a single symbol, select it in a symbol library. To add multiple symbols, select them in a symbol library. Then drag the symbols to the Symbols palette or choose Add To Symbols from the symbol library's palette menu.

    Creating new symbol libraries

    Add the symbols you want to the Symbols palette, and delete any symbols you don't want. (See Using the Symbols palette and Creating symbols.) Then choose Save Symbol Library from the Symbols palette menu.

    You can save the library anywhere. However, if you place the library file in the Presets/Symbols folder inside the Illustrator application folder, the library name will appear in the Symbol Libraries submenu and the Open Symbol Library submenu when you restart Illustrator.