2 Easy ways How to invert colors in Illustrator

In this post I will show you how you can invert colors in Illustrator. Color is one of the most important elements in design. It can be used to communicate and influence readers or viewers. Adobe Illustrator offers many color manipulation alternatives. For example, you can convert a colored image to black and white or grayscale.

Sometimes you will need to invert colors. This guide helps you understand different ways you can do it. The method you use to do this will depend on whether the image is editable, that is, a vector or a raster image.

Methods for Inverting Colors in Illustrator

There are different ways you can invert color in Illustrator. I will show you two of my favorites.

1. How to invert colors from the top bar
2. Using the Color Picker

How to invert colors from the top bar

This method works whether you are using a raster or vector image. If you are using a raster file, first of all, embed it in Illustrator. With the selection tool selected or shortcut V, click on the image and choose “embed” on the top bar. Go to Edit, then Edit Colors, and choose Invert Colors.

Step 1: Open and create a new artboard in Illustrator. Set the properties on the pop-up menu.

Step 2: Go to File>Place and choose your file to import your image in Illustrator.

Step 3: Select the image and choose “embed” on the top menu.

Step 4: Select the image, then go to Edit > Edit Colors > Invert Colors. Your colors are inverted.

How to invert colors using the eyedropper

This only works with a vectorized image. Once the file is open, select the section you want to change colors using the direct selection tool. Select the eyedropper tool, then click on the color you want to set it to. The selected section changes to that color. Do this for all selectable areas.

Step 1: Open your vectorized image in Adobe Illustrator.

Step 2: Select the Direct Selection Tool (A) from the toolbar.

Step 3: Click on the section of the image where you want to change the color.

Step 4: Select the Eyedropper Tool (I) from the toolbar.

Step 5: Click on the color you want to apply—the selected section will instantly change to that color.

Step 6: Repeat these steps for all the sections you want to recolor.

Vector vs. raster image

A raster image is made of tiny squares called pixels. They combine to display aspects of the image like color and quality. The basic unit of a raster image is a pixel, or one square.

More squares or pixels per area will result in better image quality, while fewer squares make low-quality images. Scaling a raster image will result in loss of quality. It is also not very editable because it is not made of points.

Common raster formats include JPEG, PNG, and TIFF formats. Examples of raster images include photographs and pictures.

A vector is the opposite of a raster image. Vectors can be defined to have points, lines, and shapes. The best thing about a raster image is that you can increase the image to any size and not lose quality. It is also easy to change colors, move points, or edit.

Common vector file formats include PDF, AI source file, and SVG formats. Logos and illustrations are the best examples of vector files. Adobe Illustrator allows the conversion of a raster to a vector and vice versa.

Convert a Raster to Vector in Illustrator

Before you can understand how to vectorize an image, it is important to understand how you can tell whether your file is a raster or vector. Vector files show different points, lines, and shapes that combine to form the image. It also shows the different colors on the Fill or Strokes panel. Raster images, on the other hand, appear as one object with no points. More Video Tutorials.

Related:

1. How to Copy in Adobe Illustrator
2. CorelDRAW vs Adobe Illustrator
3. What is Illustrator, and how is it used?

Frequently Asked Questions