IAN Symbol Libraries Download

The IAN conceptual diagram symbol libraries are designed for Adobe Illustrator 10 or better. A free evaluation version of Illustrator can be downloaded from the Adobe Website.

The libraries are provided cost and royalty free, but we request that you ask your colleagues to contact us for access, rather than supplying them with the installation file. This allows us to notify users when updates are available.

Our online help forum is an excellent resource for getting technical help, asking questions on the use and creation of symbols for Illustrator as well as the construction of conceptual diagrams for enhancing science communication.

INSTRUCTIONS (Please read first - download is in the next section below)

There are several options for the download of the IAN Symbol Libraries.

Windows

For PC/Windows users we have two self installing packages and four .zip archives:

Once downloaded, simply run the installation .exe file and it will automatically backup any previous versions of the IAN Symbol Libraries, and install the new libraries to your Illustrator Presets/Symbols folder. It will also create an IAN Symbol Libraries program group (available from your START/Programs Menu) containing links to the User Guide, Symbol Index and Interactive Tutorial. Users with non-English versions of Illustrator must be sure to correctly choose their equivalent 'Presets' directory and specify the names of the 'Symbols' and 'Swatches' folders during installation.

Zip versions

AI format

These two .zip packages contain the libraries in AI format, exactly the same as those included in the .exe automatic installations. However, you must manually extract the contents of the 'Symbols' and 'Swatches' folders to your Illustrator Presets/Symbols folder (C:\Program Files\Adobe\Illustrator X\Presets\Symbols) and Presets/Swatches folder (C:\Program Files\Adobe\Illustrator X\Presets\Swatches), respectively. The other files are the symbol index, the tutorial and documentation, and can be extracted anywhere on your computer.

EPS & SVG format

The Symbols Only EPS & SVG version .zip archives contain all the libraries as .eps or .svg files. These versions can be stored anywhere, as they do not function as Illustrator Symbol Libraries. You simply open up each library file to access the symbols in that library.

Mac

For Mac users we have four .sit archive packages:

• Full Version in AI format (.sit archive) (recommended)
  - includes all the symbol libraries, the symbol index and interactive tutorials
  - requires manual installation
• Symbols Only Version in AI format (.sit archive)
  - includes all the symbol libraries
  - requires manual installation
• Symbols Only EPS format (.sit Archive)
  - for use with Illustrator 9 or less other vector illustration software
  - includes all the symbol libraries
  - requires manual installation
  - does not have symbol palette functionality
• Symbols Only SVG format (.sit Archive)
  - for use with Illustrator 9 or less other vector illustration software
  - includes all the symbol libraries
  - requires manual installation
  - does not have symbol libraries functionality

PLEASE NOTE: Although the eps and svg versions include all the symbols contained in the normal version, they cannot be accessed through the symbol libraries interface, thereby reducing convenience, but not the ultimate functionality of the symbols.

These two .sit packages contain the libraries in AI format. You must manually extract the contents of the 'Symbols' and 'Swatches' folders to your Illustrator Presets/Symbols folder (Adobe\Illustrator X\Presets\Symbols) and Presets/Swatches folder (Adobe\Illustrator X\Presets\Swatches), respectively. The other files are the symbol index, the tutorial and documentation, and can be extracted anywhere on your computer.

EPS & SVG format

The Symbols Only EPS & SVG version .sit archives contain all the libraries as .eps or .svg files. These versions can be stored anywhere, as they do not function as Illustrator Symbol Libraries. You simply open up each library file to access the symbols in that library.

 

Vector / Print Quality Symbol Index (recommended additional download)

In addition to the raster (bitmap), screen quality symbol index included in the full installation packages, we also have a vector based, print quality version available from the download page. If you download the vector version, you can overwrite the old version, making the new one accessible via the IAN Symbol Libraries Program Group. Once downloaded, copy the PDF to C:\Program Files\IAN Symbol Libraries\Documentation.

 

DOWNLOAD IAN SYMBOL LIBRARIES

If you have already registered, click the download link below. If you have not completed the registration process, return to the IAN Symbol Libraries main page and click the 'New User Registration' link. You cannot download the libraries without having registered first. A registered email address is required to recieve the direct download link.

 

FREE SYMBOL CREATION SERVICE

Please visit our symbol creation service forum to make requests. Photos or drawings and descriptions of objects should be attached to your message and we will create a symbol which will be posted back on the forum for all to download. They will also be incorporated into the Symbol Libraries in future updates. Please give us as much advanced notice as possible, but if something is urgent we will attempt to meet your deadline.

FEEDBACK AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

For the symbol libraries to grow and become a tool for widespread use, we need your feedback.
Please take the time to provide us with information on:

To provide feedback, please visit our discussion forums