How to Edit and Replace Illustrator Symbols

Graphic symbols make life easy for digital illustrators and animators. One original can be used any number of times, and you only need to change the symbol to change every copy. You can edit symbols in Adobe Illustrator, but it might not be the way you're used to with other graphic programs.

Instructions

1. Select any instance of the symbol on the artboard. Unlike other graphic editing programs, you must edit a symbol in your document, you can't edit it by double clicking on the symbol icon in the palette window.

2. Click on the "Break Link to Symbol" button in the symbols palette toolbar. The bounding box around the symbol instance will disappear and the individual elements will become selected.

3. Edit the art element the way you would any other Illustrator object or objects. You can ungroup paths, rearrange layers, change colors and even replace objects entirely. When you're finished make sure to select every path you want to include in the revised symbol.

4. Choose "Redefine Symbol" from the Flyout menu in the symbols palette (upper right corner). You can also hold down the "Option" key and drag the edited element directly onto the symbol icon in the symbol palette. The symbol appearance in the palette will change, as will any instances of the symbol already placed on the artboard.

Tips & Warnings

• You can completely replace a symbol's contents with new contents as well. For instance, if you want to replace a flower symbol with a ladybug, simply select the ladybug on the artboard and choose "Refefine Symbol." The flower symbol will become a ladybug symbol.

• With version CS3 or later, you can double click directly onto the symbol to open it into a new editing window. Make the changes and then click the "New Symbol" back button to return to the main window.