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Extension help

DirectionZ for Illustrator

Logo Hub, icons, brand books, palettes, grids, mockups, QR codes and export, in one Illustrator panel signed in with your DirectionZ licence. Current version: 1.1.0.

Getting started

  1. Get your licence key. Sign in, open Extensions › DirectionZ for Illustrator and press Get my licence key. Copy it: it is shown once.
  2. Download the installer for Windows (.exe) or Mac from the same place.
  3. Close Illustrator, then run the installer. On Windows it installs for your user only, without admin rights. On a Mac, open the package (or right-click Install.command › Open the first time).
  4. Open Illustrator and choose Window › Extensions › DirectionZ.
  5. Paste your key and press Activate. A short tour shows you around.

Works with Illustrator 2023 (v27) or newer on Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 11 or newer.

What it does

LogosSearch the Logo Hub and place logos as editable vectors. Publish your selected artwork to the Logo Hub.
Icons200,000+ open-source icons in any colour and size, placed as vectors.
ColoursPalettes from your brand books, clients and the Logo Hub as swatch groups; draw them on the artboard with HEX, RGB and CMYK; recolour the selection; colour profile, tints, harmonies and contrast check.
BrandYour brand books: place the logo, add the colours, apply the fonts, and build a one-page brand sheet.
LayoutColumn, modular, baseline, thirds, golden, spiral, diagonal, isometric and safe-zone grids; social and print artboard sizes; brand patterns from a logo.
MockupsiPhone, Android, iPad, MacBook, browser, monitor, Instagram post, story and watch frames with your artwork clipped in.
ExportThe current artboard, all artboards or the selection as PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF at several sizes in one click.
QRStatic codes (links, Wi-Fi, contact cards and more) or dynamic codes linked to a landing page you can change any time, with scans counted.

Updates

The panel checks for updates once a day. Open Settings (the gear at the top) › Updates to check now, read what changed and install. Updates are signed by DirectionZ and checked before they are used; if an update ever fails to start, the panel goes back to the previous version by itself. You can also switch back to an earlier version there.

Now and then a new installer is needed (for example for a new Illustrator version). The panel tells you when, and the installer is on your licence page.

Licence & computers

  • One licence per DirectionZ account, free with your account.
  • Use it on up to 2 computers. To move to a new computer, sign the old one out from the panel (Settings › Deactivate this computer) or from your licence page.
  • The panel checks your licence about once a day and keeps working offline for up to 7 days between checks.
  • Lost your key? Create a new one on your licence page. The old key stops working and your computers are signed out.

Troubleshooting

DirectionZ is not under Window › Extensions

Quit Illustrator completely and start it again after installing. Check that you run Illustrator 2023 or newer. On Windows, run the installer again; on a Mac, run the package again or use Install.command.

The panel opens but stays blank

Close and reopen the panel. If it stays blank, reinstall with the latest installer from your licence page. Adobe has a known issue where some installer tools break extension signatures; our installers avoid it.

“No free computer” when activating

Your licence is in use on the maximum number of computers. Sign one out from your licence page, then activate again.

“Reconnect to continue”

The panel could not check your licence for more than 7 days. Connect to the internet and press Try again.

Placing or exporting does nothing

Most actions need an open document, and some need a selection (publishing a logo, mockups with your artwork, patterns, recolour, export of the selection). New artwork goes to an unlocked, visible layer.

A QR code does not scan

Keep strong contrast between code and background, keep the white border around it, and print it at least 2 cm wide. Square or rounded corners scan best; test with your phone before printing.

Still stuck? Open Settings › Help & feedback › Report a problem in the panel: it sends your versions and recent errors (never your artwork) so we can help faster.

Privacy

Last updated 24 October 2026. DirectionZ for Illustrator sends only what it needs to work:

  • Licence checks: your licence key (on activation), a one-way code made from this computer's random install ID and name, the computer name you see in your licence page, the operating system, and the Illustrator, panel and installer versions. Your IP address is stored only as a one-way hash, to stop abuse.
  • Things you ask for: searches in the Logo Hub and icons, your brand books, palettes and landing pages are loaded from DirectionZ when you open those tabs.
  • Things you choose to share: artwork you publish to the Logo Hub, landing pages you create, and reports you send. Reports may include versions and recent panel errors if you leave that option on; never artwork or file names.
  • Never sent: your documents, artwork you do not publish, file names, fonts or anything on your computer outside the panel's own settings folder.

Landing pages count views and link clicks per day without cookies or personal data. We do not sell data or use it for advertising. You can delete your licence and computers from your account, and ask us to delete reports.

Terms of use

  • The licence is personal to your DirectionZ account and may be used on up to 2 computers at a time. Do not share or resell your key.
  • Licences run for 365 days and can be renewed from your account. DirectionZ may pause or revoke a licence that is misused.
  • Logos, icons and other content keep the rights of their owners. Icons come from open-source packs under their own licences; brand logos are for identification and must be used according to each brand's guidelines.
  • Content you publish (logos, landing pages) must be yours to share and follow the DirectionZ site terms.
  • The extension is provided as is. We work hard to keep it reliable and to fix problems you report quickly.

Contact

The fastest way is Settings › Help & feedback in the panel. You can also share ideas on the extensions page.