How to change opacity in isolation mode in Adobe Illustrator (Free plugin)
3 minute readDid you know that you can now change the opacity of objects while in isolation mode in Adobe Illustrator? It's easy to do with DirectPrefs, a free plugin from Astute Graphics.
This handy plugin gives you control over how your selected object looks when you're working in isolation mode. You can even adjust other settings like guides, grids, and nudge distance.
Get DirectPrefs for Free
You can download DirectPrefs for free just by creating an Astute Graphics account (no payment details required). You'll get access to hundreds of plugin features for 7 days, and you get to keep DirectPrefs even after your trial ends.
Hide Everything Except the Isolated Object in Illustrator
A user once asked:
“Is there a way to completely hide everything except the isolated object without putting everything on separate layers?”
This question led to a new feature being added to Adobe Illustrator. Pretty cool, right? If you’ve ever wanted more control over isolation mode, this one’s for you.
You can also join our Slack Community to share your work, ask questions, and get access to beta features before anyone else.
How to Change Isolation Mode Opacity in Adobe Illustrator
Once you've signed up and installed DirectPrefs using the Astute Manager, follow these steps:
Open Adobe Illustrator.
Go to the Window menu > Astute Graphics > DirectPrefs to open the panel.
In the DirectPrefs panel, click the 3-bar flyout menu (top right).
Select Set Isolation Mode Opacity…
A dialog box will appear where you can set your preferred opacity percentage.
That’s it. You now have full control over how isolated objects appear in Illustrator.
Why Use DirectPrefs?
Set isolation mode opacity in Adobe Illustrator
Hide guides and grids
Adjust nudge values and constrain angles
100% free, even after your trial
Get DirectPrefs for FREE
DirectPrefs is a free plugin from Astute Graphics. If you haven’t tried it yet, you can use it free and trial the 100s of other features available. No payment details are required.
You can also find out more about other top free must-have scripts and extensions for Illustrator.
