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The Daily Insight

How do you add brushes to Illustrator?

Author

James Stevens

Updated on February 26, 2026

To install do the following:

  1. In Illustrator, open the Brushes Panel (Window > Brushes).
  2. Click the Brush Libraries Menu in the bottom left of the Panel (the bookshelf icon).
  3. Choose Other Library from the Menu.
  4. Locate the brush library . ai file on your hard drive and click open to install.

Can you use ABR Brushes in Illustrator?

You can’t add ABR brush files to Illustrator. However, you can create and add Illustrator brush files with the AI file extension. To import Illustrator brush files, go to Window > Brush Libraries > Other Library and find the file. Then go to the Brush Library panel > select the brush to import > Add to Brushes.

Can you add brushes to Adobe draw?

Hi Marie, I’m sorry Draw is not like Sketch in that way; it’s not possible to import additional brushes/drawing tools. And, for a little more bad news… the only way to bring Draw content into Sketch is to bring it into an Image Layer (it could be a part of your composition, but it would not be an editable drawing).

Can you use PS brushes in AI?

You cannot use Photoshop Brushes in Illustrator. Photoshop brushes are raster images that you “paint” into other raster images. Illustrator does not edit raster images. Illustrator Brushes are entirely different.

What is Brush library?

Shaped like a paintbrush, the Brush button sits in the top right menu bar of the Procreate interface. Tap it once to activate the Brush tool, and tap it again to bring up the Brush Library. You can also bring up the Brush Library by tapping the Smudge or Erase tools.

How do you blend Brush strokes in Illustrator?

Text Styles & Effects

  1. With the white ellipse selected, go to Object > Path > Offset Path and apply a -1.2px Offset. As a result you will get a smaller shape in the middle.
  2. Drag the resulting blend object into the Brushes panel and choose New Art Brush.