symbols brush swatch libraries

[toolo]

i found the same question asked on another forum but no one answered so her it is


Have a simple question about the Symbols library: While working on a project, I usually draw a bunch of graphics hat don't end getting used. But If I like them, I'd like to keep them handy for future projects.

So I started to make a symbols library out of 'unused graphics'. I save the library and now I can pull it up on each project.

The problem is I can't add to this library. There is a small icon of a pencil with a red line though it, I guess that means it's unwritable. Is there a way to change this option. Or is it even an option. It would be really nice to just drag something to my 'unused graphics' lib, resave, the end.



same goes with brushes and swatches isnt there a way just to keep adding brushes swatches patterns etc to your one user defined library?????

[Craig B]

I'm a little tired, and I'm not guaranteeing this will work, but I do know that brushes and symbols are saved as actual .ai files in your Illustrator folder under (at least on my mac)presets/en us/brushes (or /symbols) ... You can open and edit those individual brush and symbol files and re save them, essentially adding symbols to your already predefined symbol library.

AT least you should be able to. I'm guessing they don't let you edit them because you're essentially editing files that are universally available to other users of Illustrator that might be on your computer ... perhaps.

That's just my 2 cents.

If that doesn't work I'd try posting on the adobe.com forums.

[hewligan]

I just tested Craig's suggestion, and it works fine.

Also, don't forget, you can save libraries anywhere, so not having permission to write to a particular place isn't a problem.

[garricks]

I got it to work in CS3 on my Mac. I would recommend making a backup copy of the file before you start!

Go to ~userhome/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Illustrator CS3/Symbols/ to find your user-defined libraries. Note, this is not the Symbols folder in Illy in your Applications folder! It's the Library in your User name's Home folder.

Select one of the files and open it. You'll find a blank page, but the Symbols panel will open to that set of symbols. Drag an object from your drawing onto the page of the Symbol file, and it will then appear in the Symbols panel. Save that file, and you're done.

(Edit: Hewligan snuck in on me while I was being long-winded! LOL)

[hewligan]

(Edit: Hewligan snuck in on me while I was being long-winded! LOL)

That happens to me all the time ;)

Well, obviously not me sneaking in on myself. Or, then again, maybe I do sneak in on myself, but I'm just so super sneaky I don't even realise it.

[garricks]

Maybe you're a ninja?

[hewligan]

Maybe you're a ninja?

Well, on the one hand I do wear a lot of black.

On the other, though, I'm quite clumsy, which suggest not being a ninja. But, maybe, that's just part of my sneaky disguise.

Also, I dislike rum and don't own a parrot, which are considered to be signs of being a ninja in some circles.

[PrintDriver]

Well, on the one hand I do wear a lot of black.


That's not Ninja. That's Designer uniform.

[hewligan]

That's not Ninja. That's Designer uniform.

True, but since I don't wear any kind of glasses, I can't even get that right ;)

[toolo]

ok thanks guys ill give this a whirl

[Craig B]

Whirl away.

[toolo]

thanks guys that seems to be the best way