You can’t use these new Adobe Illustrator features unless you subscribe to Creative Cloud

As promised, Adobe is starting to release periodic app updates as they are ready. The catch here, is that these updates are only available to members of the creative giant’s subscription service, Creative Cloud.

We’ve know this would be the case for months, and while the updates don’t feel substantial enough to lure in the casual designer, full-time professionals might see reason to subscribe. Here’s what’s being release today for Illustrator:

• Package Files: Designers can now automatically collect all the files used in an Illustrator project, including linked graphics and fonts, into a single folder to make it easier to share projects without errors.
• Unembed Images: Users can now quickly unembed images that have been embedded into an Illustrator file by other designers.
• Links Panel Enhancements: Users can now access and track information on any artwork placed in an Illustrator file much quicker, saving time when it comes to prepping for output.

Following todays updates, CC members can also expect new Dreamweaver features to arrive next month. In addition, Adobe also announced the upcoming launch of a Digital Publishing Suite Single Edition, a suite optimized for “publishing brochures, portfolios and highly visual books as apps for Apple iPad.”

According to Jeff Veen, the vice president of product management for Adobe Creative Cloud and former CEO of Typekit:

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As soon as our engineering teams can finalize new features, like the ones we’re seeing for Illustrator today, we will release special Creative Cloud editions of our desktop software, only available to Adobe Creative Cloud members.

As we’ve said before, Creative Cloud is fundamentally a $50/month subscription to all things Adobe. It’s a massive combination of software and services, featuring the CS6 Master Collection, Muse, Edge , Lightroom, Business Catalyst, Typekit (portfolio level), 20 gigs of dropbox-style file hosting/sharing, syncing and heavy integration with Adobe’s touch apps and the tease of early access to new features that others will have to wait for.

For more, check out: Everything you need to know about today’s Adobe event, CS6 and Creative Cloud