DirectPrefs is a completely free plug-in that seamlessly integrates into Adobe Illustrator. Access Illustrator's most useful preferences via one simple panel, plus set-up time-saving custom settings.
Learn everything there is to know about DirectPrefs in just 15 mins with these expert video tutorials.
Draw at Angles
Constrain Angle
Sadly Illustrator does not allow artboard rotation to ease drawing at an angle. This is the next best thing!
Effortlessly set and draw at any angle with the majority of native and all Astute Graphics tools. Three customisable pre-set buttons ensure quick changes, whilst integration with Dynamic Measure – part of VectorScribe, sold separately – brings even greater control.
Keyboard Nudge Distance
Keyboard Increment
Using the arrow keys on a keyboard to move, finely position and step an artwork object(s) is a common task. Normally buried in Illustrator's extensive Preference UI, DirectPrefs makes the distance setting for this operation immediately available.
With three user-definable presets for each document unit of measurement (millimetres, inches, pixels, etc.), you can switch regularly to ensure that each object is easily positioned just-so!
Control Guides and Grid
Guides and Grid visibility, lock and snap
There are 100's of keyboard shortcuts for Adobe Illustrator. We recommend you learn essential ones to speed up your creative process.
But if your head is full and you simply want to get on with being creative, these four buttons will make your life a lot easier, allowing you to control the visibility, lock and snap status of your guides and grid!
DirectPrefs does not require any license key or product activation. Simply download our latest unified installer by either requesting a 14 day trial of our plug-ins, or visit your account page.
When you run the latest installer, DirectPrefs will be one of the default plug-in installation options.
Due to the lack of licensing for this plug-in, it will not be listed on your account page or the Astute Graphics Licensing Summary window (Help > Astute Graphics > Licensing Summary…).
Recently-released Plug-ins
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VectorFirstAid v2
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Phantasm v4
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DynamicSketch v2
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mike –
awesome – finally AI has a micro nudge, without permanently setting the keyboard increment to 0.1mm. [alt click the button if you’ve not found it yet]
Pedro Iván Díaz López –
that’s great…!!!
Jean-Claude Tremblay –
Finally… no more trip to the preferences dialog 100x per days! Thanks!
habib –
wow
nicholassloan –
Quite a game-changer, but there are other candidates for inclusion: I’d find a direct toggle for area select (Object Selection by Path Only) very handy several times a day. Thanks.
Philip Meagher –
I love this tool, so simple and so effective! Really improves the flow of the work
Carina Parry –
OMG! How many times I could have used this…! great plugin guys, thank you! 🙂