How to Get Out of Outline Mode in Illustrator

In this tutorial, you will learn how to go in and out of outline mode in Adobe Illustrator. Viewing your artwork in outline mode displays smoother paths and can sometimes help the performance whilst working, especially with complex compositions.

Do you prefer video tutorials? Don’t miss this new quick video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

What You’ll Need in This Outline Illustrator Tutorial

To follow along with this tutorial on how to get out of outline mode in Illustrator step by step, you’ll need your own version of Adobe Illustrator. We’ll be using stock images from Envato Elements to help us, but feel free to use your own illustration too! Click on the link below to download the one I’m using.

MYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRYMYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRYMYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRY

What You’ll Learn in This Outline Illustrator Tutorial

In this tutorial, I’ll teach you the basics of how to use outline mode in Adobe Illustrator. Topics we cover will include:

  • What is Illustrator outline view?
  • How to show outlines in Illustrator
  • How to get out of outline mode in Illustrator

What Is Illustrator Outline View?

Adobe Illustrator sets the view of the artwork to be previewed in full colour by default. However, this can slow down the performance of your computer when working on complex compositions where you have multiple objects on display.

outline modeoutline modeoutline mode

Viewing the project using Illustrator outline view can speed up the performance again by removing all the colours and effects. This leaves only the outlines displayed on all the objects, which can sometimes be useful when selecting specific shapes as well.

switch between outline and preview modeswitch between outline and preview modeswitch between outline and preview mode

Sometimes, when working in Adobe Illustrator, we may find that we have accidentally switched to outline mode and we are stuck in it. In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to turn Illustrator outline mode off as well.

How to Show Outlines in Illustrator

Step 1

First, we will learn how to switch to outline mode in Illustrator. To do this, you will need to open up the Adobe Illustrator project that you want to use.

open projectopen projectopen project

Step 2

Now, with the illustration open, go to the top menu bar and select View > Outline (Control-Y). 

view outline modeview outline modeview outline mode

Step 3

This will immediately enter Illustrator outline view. This is how to switch to outline mode in Illustrator.

outline modeoutline modeoutline mode

How to Only Show the Pen Outline in Illustrator Layers

Step 1

Now we’ll learn how to only show the pen outline in Illustrator layers specifically. This is useful if we only want to show outlines on a specific layer.

To do this you must first navigate to the Layers panel.

layer panellayer panellayer panel

Step 2

Control-click the eye icon of the specific layer you want to view as an outline. The eye icon will have a hollow centre when outline view is enabled and a filled centre when preview view is enabled.

outline layeroutline layeroutline layer

How to Get Out of Outline Mode in Illustrator

Step 1

Now that we know how to show outlines in Illustrator, let’s learn how to turn Illustrator outline mode off. 

With the image set to outline mode, go to the top menu bar and select View > Preview (Control-Y). This will immediately enter the Illustrator default view.

select previewselect previewselect preview

Step 2

To turn off outline mode on a specific layer, first navigate to the Layers panel.

turn off outline in layerturn off outline in layerturn off outline in layer

Step 3

Control-click the eye icon of the specific layer where you want to turn outline mode off.

click eye iconclick eye iconclick eye icon

Awesome! You’re Finished!

Congratulations! That’s how to go in and out of Outline Mode in Adobe Illustrator. I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you’ve learned some new tips and tricks that you can use for your own projects. See you next time!

outline modeoutline modeoutline mode

Top 5 Graphics From Envato Elements

As mentioned before, outline mode works best when you are using it on complex illustrations (although it works just fine with simple ones as well). Practice going in and out of outline mode on other images by heading on over to Envato Elements, where you can download many different illustrations and designs that you can use. Here are five of my favourites.

Mythical Mammoth Sacred Geometry (AIEPSJPGPDF, PNG)

MYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRYMYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRYMYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRY

This detailed and complex project is the same file that we used for the creation of this tutorial. Containing many detailed lines of geometry, this image is the perfect use case scenario for using outline mode in Adobe Illustrator. It contains well-organized layers and easily editable colours in 100% vector format.

Isometric Vector | Rounded Shapes (EPS, JPG)

Isometric Vector | Rounded ShapesIsometric Vector | Rounded ShapesIsometric Vector | Rounded Shapes

This highly detailed project pack comes with a total of 18 uniquely coloured isometric maps. These complex designs are perfect to use in your own website, social media, or design projects! 

Skullwave in Space Part 9 Illustration (AI, EPSPNGPDF)

Skullwave in Space Part 9 IllustrationSkullwave in Space Part 9 IllustrationSkullwave in Space Part 9 Illustration

Here’s another great illustration featuring detailed and complex shapes in a popular street art style. This vector-based image is a great way to add that ‘wow factor’ to your projects. It contains well-organized layers and easily editable colours in 100% vector format.

Fantasy Nocturnal Landscape (EPS, JPG)

Fantasy Nocturnal LandscapeFantasy Nocturnal LandscapeFantasy Nocturnal Landscape

If you’re looking for a complex background illustration, here is a fantasy nocturnal landscape for you to play around with! Featuring bright colours and dreamlike fantasy trees and plants, this 100% vector scene is perfect for projects looking for that fairytale vibe.

Pumpkin Skull (AI, EPSPDFPNGJPGPSD)

Pumpkin SkullPumpkin SkullPumpkin Skull

Here’s another great illustration featuring complex objects and design elements. This 100% vector image depicts a scary pumpkin character in a graphic design. It consists of well-organised layers that are easy to edit and resize without any loss of quality.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial on outline mode in Illustrator. If you’d like to learn more cool Illustrator skills, we’ve got more tutorials for you:


This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Jonathan Lam

In this tutorial, you will learn how to go in and out of outline mode in Adobe Illustrator. Viewing your artwork in outline mode displays smoother paths and can sometimes help the performance whilst working, especially with complex compositions.

Do you prefer video tutorials? Don't miss this new quick video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

What You'll Need in This Outline Illustrator Tutorial

To follow along with this tutorial on how to get out of outline mode in Illustrator step by step, you'll need your own version of Adobe Illustrator. We'll be using stock images from Envato Elements to help us, but feel free to use your own illustration too! Click on the link below to download the one I'm using.

MYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRYMYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRYMYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRY

What You'll Learn in This Outline Illustrator Tutorial

In this tutorial, I'll teach you the basics of how to use outline mode in Adobe Illustrator. Topics we cover will include:

  • What is Illustrator outline view?
  • How to show outlines in Illustrator
  • How to get out of outline mode in Illustrator

What Is Illustrator Outline View?

Adobe Illustrator sets the view of the artwork to be previewed in full colour by default. However, this can slow down the performance of your computer when working on complex compositions where you have multiple objects on display.

outline modeoutline modeoutline mode

Viewing the project using Illustrator outline view can speed up the performance again by removing all the colours and effects. This leaves only the outlines displayed on all the objects, which can sometimes be useful when selecting specific shapes as well.

switch between outline and preview modeswitch between outline and preview modeswitch between outline and preview mode

Sometimes, when working in Adobe Illustrator, we may find that we have accidentally switched to outline mode and we are stuck in it. In this tutorial, we'll learn how to turn Illustrator outline mode off as well.

How to Show Outlines in Illustrator

Step 1

First, we will learn how to switch to outline mode in Illustrator. To do this, you will need to open up the Adobe Illustrator project that you want to use.

open projectopen projectopen project

Step 2

Now, with the illustration open, go to the top menu bar and select View > Outline (Control-Y). 

view outline modeview outline modeview outline mode

Step 3

This will immediately enter Illustrator outline view. This is how to switch to outline mode in Illustrator.

outline modeoutline modeoutline mode

How to Only Show the Pen Outline in Illustrator Layers

Step 1

Now we'll learn how to only show the pen outline in Illustrator layers specifically. This is useful if we only want to show outlines on a specific layer.

To do this you must first navigate to the Layers panel.

layer panellayer panellayer panel

Step 2

Control-click the eye icon of the specific layer you want to view as an outline. The eye icon will have a hollow centre when outline view is enabled and a filled centre when preview view is enabled.

outline layeroutline layeroutline layer

How to Get Out of Outline Mode in Illustrator

Step 1

Now that we know how to show outlines in Illustrator, let's learn how to turn Illustrator outline mode off. 

With the image set to outline mode, go to the top menu bar and select View > Preview (Control-Y). This will immediately enter the Illustrator default view.

select previewselect previewselect preview

Step 2

To turn off outline mode on a specific layer, first navigate to the Layers panel.

turn off outline in layerturn off outline in layerturn off outline in layer

Step 3

Control-click the eye icon of the specific layer where you want to turn outline mode off.

click eye iconclick eye iconclick eye icon

Awesome! You're Finished!

Congratulations! That's how to go in and out of Outline Mode in Adobe Illustrator. I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you've learned some new tips and tricks that you can use for your own projects. See you next time!

outline modeoutline modeoutline mode

Top 5 Graphics From Envato Elements

As mentioned before, outline mode works best when you are using it on complex illustrations (although it works just fine with simple ones as well). Practice going in and out of outline mode on other images by heading on over to Envato Elements, where you can download many different illustrations and designs that you can use. Here are five of my favourites.

Mythical Mammoth Sacred Geometry (AIEPSJPGPDF, PNG)

MYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRYMYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRYMYTHICAL MAMMOTH SACRED GEOMETRY

This detailed and complex project is the same file that we used for the creation of this tutorial. Containing many detailed lines of geometry, this image is the perfect use case scenario for using outline mode in Adobe Illustrator. It contains well-organized layers and easily editable colours in 100% vector format.

Isometric Vector | Rounded Shapes (EPS, JPG)

Isometric Vector | Rounded ShapesIsometric Vector | Rounded ShapesIsometric Vector | Rounded Shapes

This highly detailed project pack comes with a total of 18 uniquely coloured isometric maps. These complex designs are perfect to use in your own website, social media, or design projects! 

Skullwave in Space Part 9 Illustration (AI, EPSPNGPDF)

Skullwave in Space Part 9 IllustrationSkullwave in Space Part 9 IllustrationSkullwave in Space Part 9 Illustration

Here's another great illustration featuring detailed and complex shapes in a popular street art style. This vector-based image is a great way to add that 'wow factor' to your projects. It contains well-organized layers and easily editable colours in 100% vector format.

Fantasy Nocturnal Landscape (EPS, JPG)

Fantasy Nocturnal LandscapeFantasy Nocturnal LandscapeFantasy Nocturnal Landscape

If you're looking for a complex background illustration, here is a fantasy nocturnal landscape for you to play around with! Featuring bright colours and dreamlike fantasy trees and plants, this 100% vector scene is perfect for projects looking for that fairytale vibe.

Pumpkin Skull (AI, EPSPDFPNGJPGPSD)

Pumpkin SkullPumpkin SkullPumpkin Skull

Here's another great illustration featuring complex objects and design elements. This 100% vector image depicts a scary pumpkin character in a graphic design. It consists of well-organised layers that are easy to edit and resize without any loss of quality.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial on outline mode in Illustrator. If you'd like to learn more cool Illustrator skills, we've got more tutorials for you:


This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Jonathan Lam


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Jonathan Lam | Sciencx (2022-11-07T12:55:02+00:00) How to Get Out of Outline Mode in Illustrator. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2022/11/07/how-to-get-out-of-outline-mode-in-illustrator/

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