Interoperability and speed. This version introduced Intertwine (overlapping and weaving objects without layers), HDR export, and a vastly faster Image Trace engine (up to 10x quicker). It also added 3D Object export (to GLTF and USD formats for AR/VR).
The redemption story. Adobe finally aligned Illustrator tightly with Photoshop’s interface, bringing the now-ubiquitous tabbed palettes, docking, and the vertical toolbox. This was also the first version to support TrueType fonts consistently and introduced the Transform Each command. For many, version 7.0 marked the moment Illustrator stabilized into a mature professional tool. adobe illustrator versions by year
The GPU Acceleration. Started shifting processing from the CPU to the graphics card (GPU) for smoother panning and zooming. Interoperability and speed
The "modern feature set." Version 20.0 introduced Variable Fonts (single font files that behave like multiple styles), Puppet Warp (distorting vector art as if it had bones), and a Live Shapes engine (rectangles, ellipses remain editable as shapes even after rotation). The Properties panel debuted—a context-sensitive, single-panel replacement for a dozen old palettes. The GPU Acceleration