Illustrator

View artwork as outlines

By default, Adobe Illustrator sets the view so that all artwork is previewed in color. However, you can choose to display artwork so that only its outlines (or paths) are visible. Viewing artwork without paint attributes speeds up the time it takes to redraw the screen when working with complex artwork.

In Outline mode, linked files are displayed by default as outlined boxes with an X inside. To view the contents of linked files, choose File > Document Setup, choose Artboard at the top of the dialog box, and select Show Images In Outline.

  • To view all artwork as outlines, choose View > Outline. Choose View > Preview to return to previewing artwork in color.
  • To view all artwork in a layer as outlines, Ctrl‑click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the eye icon for the layer in the Layers panel. Ctrl‑click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) again to return to previewing artwork in color. The eye icon has a hollow center  when Outline view is enabled and a filled center  when Preview view is enabled.
  • To view all items in unselected layers as outlines, Alt+Ctrl‑click (Windows) or Option+Command-click (Mac OS) the eye icon for the selected layer. Alternatively, select Outline Others from the Layers panel menu.
    You can return all items in the Layers panel to Preview mode by choosing Preview All Layers from the Layers panel menu.