Are you overwhelmed by the clutter in Adobe Illustrator every time you start a new project? If you're like many designers, the default colour swatches, brushes, symbols, and graphic styles can feel distracting.
One of the simplest ways to declutter your workspace is by using the Delete Unused Panel Items action. This built in feature allows you to quickly clear out all those unused items, giving you a fresh, clean canvas to work with.
What Are Actions?
Actions in Adobe Illustrator are pre-defined sets of commands that you can execute with a single click. Illustrator comes with several built-in actions, including the Delete Unused Panel Items action, which can save you time and streamline your workflow. You can also create your own custom actions tailored to your specific needs.
How to Find Actions
To access the Actions panel in Adobe Illustrator, follow these steps:
Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document.
Go to Window in the top menu.
Select Actions from the dropdown menu. This will open the Actions panel on your workspace.
Here, you will see a list of available actions, including the built-in actions provided by Adobe.
How to Clear the Clutter
Running the Delete Unused Panel Items action is easy and can be done in just a few steps:
Ensure the Actions panel is open.
Find the Delete Unused Panel Items action in the list.
Click the play button at the bottom of the Actions panel once the action is selected, to run it.
By doing this, you'll remove all default swatches, brushes, symbols, and graphic styles, leaving you with a fresh workspace.
Bonus Tip
This action is also helpful when you finish a project and want to tidy up your workspace. It will only keep the swatches, brushes, symbols, and graphic styles that are currently in use in your artwork. Perfect for cleaning up your file before sending it to a client too!
So, next time you start a new project or wrap up an old one, remember to run the Delete Unused Panel Items action. It’s a small step that can lead to a more focused design experience!
Need Extra Help?
If you’re looking for personalised guidance in Procreate or Adobe Illustrator, my Tech Tune-Up Sessions are here for you! Choose a 30-minute or 60-minute one-on-one session, available online or in person in Annerley (Brisbane). We’ll focus on your specific challenges, whether it's mastering the basics or tackling complex design tasks.
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