Access symbol libraries

To access Artisans Gardens symbol libraries do one of the following:

• Go to Window > Symbol Libraries; select a library from the menu that opens.
• Go to Window > Swatch Libraries; select a library from the menu that opens.
• Go to Symbols panel menu > Open Symbol Library; select a library from the list.
• Go to Swatches panel menu > Open Swatch Library; select a library from the list.
• On the Symbols panel click the Symbols Library Menu button;
  select a library from the list.
• On the Swatches panel click the Swatch Library Menu button;
  select a library from the list.

To open a library when you open Illustrator, select Persistent from the library's panel menu. Browse libraries by clicking on arrows on the library's panel menu.

Create your own symbol libraries

Since symbol is automatically added to the Symbols panel whenever you use it in a document, you can save symbol selection for another project as a custom library.
• In order to have only symbols that are used in the current document
  choose Select All Unused from the Symbols panel menu and remove them.
• To save a new library go to the Symbols panel menu, select Save Symbol
  Library and save the library to the default Symbols folder.

The library name will automatically appear in the User Defined submenu of the Symbol Libraries and Open Symbol Library menu.

Import a symbol library from another Illustrator file

• Go to Window > Symbol Libraries > Other Library
• Go to Symbols panel menu > Open Symbol Library > Other Library

Select the file from which you want to import symbols then click Open. Imported symbols will appear in a symbol library panel.

How to use symbols

Using symbols can save you a lot of time and give you a lot of creative freedom.
To apply a symbol you have to place it first – select your symbol in the Symbols Library and do one of the following:

• Drag the symbol to the artboard where you want it to appear.
• Choose Place Symbol Instance from the Symbols panel menu.
• Click the Place Symbol Instance button in the Symbols panel to place
  the instance on the artboard.

A symbol placed anywhere in the artwork is called an instance.
A symbol placed in Symbols panel is called a definition.
You can edit both definitions and instances of symbols and reuse them multiple times.

How to modify symbols

You can easily modify Artisans Gardens Landscape Design symbols as they are examples of vector art – they can be adjusted in size, stroke width, and color; they can be moved, scaled, rotated, sheared (or skewed), or reflected. You can also modify them by applying Transparency, Appearance, and Graphic Styles panels and any effect from the Effect menu. Symbolism tools let you add and manipulate multiple symbol instances at once.

How to modify a symbol instance

To modify a symbol instance do the following:

• Place a symbol on the artboard.
• Click the Break Link button in the Symbols panel or Control panel – it will break
   the link between symbol instance and symbol definition.
• Click the Expand button in the Control panel or go to Object > Expand – then click
  OK in the Expand dialog box. Expanding turns instances into editable artworks.
• Group the symbol.

Note: Symbols have an independent layer hierarchy, which is maintained when they are expanded.

How to recolor a symbol instance

To recolor a symbol instance, use the Live Paint Bucket tool in Adobe Illustrator to fill the sections of symbol. First Break Link of the symbol and Expand it before using the Live Paint Bucket tool. Select the symbol prior to applying paint with the Live Paint bucket tool.

How to modify a symbol instance with artwork

Select the artwork that you want to use to modify a symbol. Make sure to select an artwork and not a symbol instance.

• In the Symbols panel, click on the symbol you want to modify, and select Redefine Symbol from the panel menu. If you do not want the selected artwork to become a symbol instance, press Shift as you choose Redefine Symbol from the panel menu.

How to create a new symbol

To create a new symbol first Break Link of the symbol instance, modify it then drag the modified symbol to the Symbols panel or click New Symbol in the Symbols panel.

How to replace a symbol instance with a different symbol

Select the symbol instance on the artboard and do one of the following:

• Select a new symbol from the Replace menu in the Control panel.
• Select a new symbol in the Symbols panel, and choose Replace Symbol from
  the Symbols panel menu.
• Select all instances of a symbol in the document
• Select a symbol in the Symbols panel, and then choose Select All Instances
  from the panel menu.