To get the Middle East (ME) version of Adobe Illustrator, which includes full support for right-to-left (RTL) languages like Arabic and Hebrew, you must change your Creative Cloud installation settings. How to Install the Middle East Version Open Creative Cloud : Launch the Creative Cloud desktop app. Access Preferences : Click your Account icon (top right) and select Preferences Change Language : Go to the tab. Under Default install language English يدعم العربية (English with Arabic support) or English תומך עברית (English with Hebrew support). Install/Reinstall : If Illustrator is already installed, you may need to it first, then click
again while the new language is selected to download the ME-specific components. Generating a "Paper" (New Document) In Illustrator, a "paper" is referred to as an . To create one optimized for Middle Eastern layouts:
Adobe Illustrator Middle East (ME) edition is a specialized version of the software designed specifically for designers working with Right-to-Left (RTL) scripts like Arabic and Hebrew. Key Features Right-to-Left (RTL) Support
: Specialized tools enable correct text flow for Arabic and Hebrew while maintaining standard Left-to-Right support for English. Adobe World-Ready Composers : Includes specific engines like the Middle Eastern Single-line Every-line illustrator middle east version full
composers to handle complex ligatures and character shaping. Advanced Typography
: Provides options for Kashidas (text justification through elongated characters), diacritic positioning, and varied digit types (e.g., Hindi vs. Arabic digits). Bi-directional Mixing
: Allows seamless mixing of RTL and LTR languages within the same paragraph or document. Installation & Configuration The "full" version is typically accessed through a standard Creative Cloud All Apps subscription by following these specific steps: To get the Middle East (ME) version of
How to enable Right to left text in InDesign and Illustrator.
If you have a standard Creative Cloud subscription, you do not need to buy a new license. You simply need to change a setting:
Many users confuse the two. While both have "Full" Middle East versions, they serve different purposes: Open the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App
Recommendation: For a logo (a single word), use Illustrator ME. For a 200-page catalog, you need InDesign ME.
In the Full ME version, you can flip the ruler. The zero point starts at the right side of the artboard. This changes how you place objects; aligning to the right margin becomes intuitive, mirroring the layout of an Arabic book or magazine.