AI in Adobe Illustrator: Home
Text to vector
When it comes to creating figures for scientific papers, you might be interested in finding quick and easy ways to create your vectors. Adobe Illustrator now has an AI tool that can help you make vectors through text prompts and even allows you to use a reference image.
Before you begin there are some things to consider!
Energy consumption- According to this MIT Technology study they found that making an image with generative AI uses as much energy as charging your phone. Given the environmental impacts of generative AI it is important to use it responsibly and with specific purposes in mind (more on this later)!
Accuracy- When creating figures for a research paper, accuracy is crucial. I tested Adobe Illustrator’s text to vector and found many issues with the vectors it created. As you can see the AI-generated heart vector has many issues with the accuracy of the valves. The image on the left is an accurate figure.
Ethics- Another consideration to keep in mind is the ethics of using generative AI. Generative AI tools are trained in the creations of artists and in this case professional graphic designers. The question of the ethics of using images (or in this case vectors) comes down to the fact that these tools aim to replace those individuals whose materials it is using. Graphic designers charge considerable amounts of money for the work they do because it takes time and expertise to develop the skills necessary to create vectors. So when considering that those efforts are undermined by these generative AI tools, one has to question the ethical and moral practice of using generative AI.
Ease of use- When creating a prompt it can be difficult to know how to word your prompt. Sometimes you’ll end up with results that are not what you had in mind. This unfortunately leads to many tries, and when considering energy consumption, this is not ideal. It is helpful to learn best practices for prompt engineering and to find examples of how to prompt for your specific needs.
How to use AI responsibly
Have a very specific prompt in mind- As mentioned above it is important to know what you need before you start working. Come up with as many details as possible. Do some research to find out what prompts you should use to create a figure.
Keep it simple- As of right now text-to-vector does best with simple prompts. You can build a complex figure by prompting for simpler components which you can piece together. Remember that each prompt does consume energy but unfortunately, this will provide the greatest accuracy.
Always check for accuracy- Do your research to confirm that the figure is accurate! You can compare it to other figures if references are available. You can edit the vectors if they are not accurate. This will take some basic Illustrator knowledge.
Examples
Below is an example of simple vectors made with the prompt: "owl with reading glasses, cute."
Publication Policies
It is important to check the publishers polices before using any AI tools. For example Elsevier does not allow the use of generative AI tools as stated below.
"The use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools in the production of artwork such as for graphical abstracts is not permitted. The use of generative AI in the production of cover art may in some cases be allowed, if the author obtains prior permission from the journal editor and publisher, can demonstrate that all necessary rights have been cleared for the use of the relevant material, and ensures that there is correct content attribution."
https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies-and-standards/generative-ai-policies-for-journals
Alternative options
Premade vectors (watch out for AI vectors)- There are many websites that have free vectors available for download. When possible you can find a premade vector and build from there. Watch out for AI vectors that have started to flood these sites!
Use non-AI tools in Illustrator that make vector creation easier- One such example is image trace. You can create a rudimentary drawing. Scan the drawing and save it as a jpeg or png. Then you can use image trace to create a vector of the drawing.
Master Vector creation tools! (It takes time but is worthwhile and even fun)- It took me three months to learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator. I was able to produce more shapes and vectors as the tools became familiar. In my workshops, I've also seen beginners develop the skills to create simple characters in just one hour. Anyone can master this powerful software with a little time and a lot of patience!
In closing
It remains to be seen how AI tools will progress. Hallucinations are likely to always be a problem because they are an inherent part of generative AI. These tools are changing quickly so stay informed about the changes and keep their impacts in mind when using them!
