How Do Artboards Work In Illustrator?
In this article, you’ll learn all about how artboards work in Adobe Illustrator.
How Do Artboards Work In Illustrator?
Artboards are essentially your workspace in Adobe Illustrator, serving as your digital canvas. If you’re transitioning from Adobe Photoshop or Affinity Designer, think of artboards as similar to different layers but for your entire canvas.
You can also consider them a stage where all your design elements like vector graphics and objects come together.
Understanding how to use artboards proficiently allows you to handle complex graphic design projects that require multiple artboards or different artboard sizes.
You could be designing a full branding package, which may include business cards, letterheads, and banners—all in one Illustrator file.
1. How to Create a New Artboard
Launch Adobe Illustrator CC and open a new document.
Click on the Artboard Tool (or press Shift + O).
Click and drag to create your new artboard.
You’ve just created your first artboard within the new document.
2. How To Add Multiple Artboards In Illustrator?
To add a new artboard, select the Artboard Tool and click anywhere outside the existing artboard.
To duplicate an artboard, use the keyboard shortcut Option on Mac.
Or Alt and click and drag your cursor.
You will see an additional artboard appearing. Repeat to add another artboard and so on.
3. Modifying Artboards
Resizing: Select the ‘Artboard Tool’ and adjust the artboard dimensions using the handles.
Renaming: Navigate to the Layers Panel and double-click on the selected artboard name.
You can also go to the Artboards panel, and click on the plus sign button on the bottom right of the panel. You will see an additional artboard appear on your document.
4. How to Organize Artboards
Reorder in the Artboards Panel: Simply drag and drop to reorder artboards.
Align Using Tools from the Control Panel: Click on the Artboard Tool and align using guides.
5. The Artboard Panel: Your Control Center
The Artboard Panel lets you manage your empire of artboards like a pro. Here you can delete artboards, duplicate artboards, and rearrange them.
6. Artboard Options Dialog Box
The Artboard Options Dialog Box appears when you click on the top right-hand corner of the Artboards Panel. This is your go-to for advanced options, such as canvas size.
7. Challenges with Artboards and Their Solutions
Can’t see the artboard? Use the tools panel to zoom out or press Command + 0 on Mac.
Or Ctrl + 0 on Windows.
Need to export specific artboards? Navigate to File > Export As and pick the artboards you need.
Final Thoughts On Illustrator Artboards
So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to artboards in Adobe Illustrator CC, including how to rearrange all artboards, delete artboards, and adjust artboard dimensions.
Now you’re equipped to tackle any existing document or new workspace in Adobe Illustrator, whether it’s in the realm of vector graphics, layer groups, or any other artwork.
Feel more confident now, don’t you? Your artboard mastery in Adobe Illustrator is just the beginning, so go ahead and start designing like a pro!
Artboards In Illustrator: FAQs
What Does An Artboard Look Like?
Here’s how an artboard in Illustrator look like:
An artboard is essentially a white rectangle that sits on a larger gray canvas in Adobe Illustrator. This white area is where you’ll place all of your design elements.
Artboards have a thin border around them, delineating where the design area starts and ends. Anything placed within this border will be part of the final export.
In the Layers Panel, each artboard you create becomes its own layer group, making it easier to organize your objects. You can even name your artboards here to keep your work even more organized.
When you select an artboard, the coordinates (X, Y) appear, showing you its position relative to the overall canvas. You’ll also see markers for the artboard’s dimensions.
What Is The Artboard Feature?
Here’s a description of what an artboard feature is:
Defining the Artboard
In the simplest terms, an artboard is your workspace within Adobe Illustrator. It’s the specific area where you’ll place your design elements to create individual pieces of artwork. Think of it as the stage upon which your design talents perform.
Dynamic Functionality
What sets the artboard apart is its dynamic nature. Unlike a static canvas, the artboard in Illustrator is fully customizable. You can resize it, move it, duplicate it, and even have multiple artboards in a single Illustrator file.
How It Connects to Graphic Design
If you’re into graphic design, understanding the artboard feature is crucial. It allows you to manage complex projects that require designs in multiple dimensions or formats, all within a single document. So, yes, this is a feature you’ll definitely want to master!
Can You Have Multiple Pages In Illustrator?
Yes — Adobe Illustrator provides an incredibly useful feature that allows you to have multiple artboards (think of them as “pages”) in a single document. This is especially handy for multi-page documents like brochures, portfolios, or complete branding packages.
Why Use Multiple Artboards?
In the world of graphic design, projects often have several components. For example, a client might want a logo, a business card, and a brochure. Having multiple artboards lets you design all these elements in one Illustrator file, streamlining your workflow.
How It Works
To add a new artboard, you just need to select the ‘Artboard Tool’ and click on an empty space in the existing canvas. Voila! A new artboard appears, ready for you to start your next design masterpiece.
Navigating Between Artboards
Switching between different artboards is a breeze. Simply use the Artboards Panel to click on the artboard you want to work on, or use the ‘Next Artboard’ and ‘Previous Artboard’ options under the ‘View’ menu.
How Do You Set Up An Artboard?
Here are the steps to set up an artboard:
Step 1: Launch Illustrator and Open a New Document
Begin by opening Adobe Illustrator and navigating to ‘File’ > ‘New’ to open a new document.
Step 2: Configure Settings in New Document Dialogue
Here you can set your artboard dimensions, color mode, and more. Fill out these options according to your project requirements.
Step 3: Access the Artboard Tool
Once your new document is open, click on the ‘Artboard Tool’ from the Tools Panel, or simply press ‘Shift + O’.
Step 4: Draw Your Artboard
Click and drag your mouse to draw your square or rectangular artboard on the canvas. If you prefer, you can also manually enter dimensions in the Control Panel at the top.
Step 5: Customize with Artboard Options Dialog Box
For advanced settings, right-click on the selected artboard and choose ‘Artboard Options.’ Here, you can tweak settings like orientation, bleed, and more.
How Do I Expand My Artboard In Illustrator?
Here’s how to expand your artboard in Illustrator:
Step 1: Select the Artboard Tool
Open your existing Illustrator file and click on the ‘Artboard Tool’ in the Tools Panel, or press ‘Shift + O.’
Step 2: Select the Artboard to Expand
Click on the artboard you want to expand. A boundary will appear around the selected artboard, with handles at each corner and the midway point of each side.
Step 3: Drag to Resize
Click and drag any of the corner or side handles to resize the artboard. You’ll see the dimensions change in real-time as you drag.
Step 4: Confirm Changes
Once you’re satisfied with the new dimensions, simply click outside the artboard or press ‘Enter’ to confirm the changes.
What Is The Use Of Artboards In Illustrator?
Here are the uses of artboards in Illustrator:
Defining the Workspace
Artboards serve as your design workspace in Adobe Illustrator, essentially acting as a canvas where you bring your creative visions to life.
Design Flexibility
Artboards provide flexibility by allowing you to design multiple variations or different parts of a project within the same Illustrator file.
Project Organization
By using multiple artboards, you can effectively organize your project. For example, an entire branding package with a logo, business card, and letterhead can all be designed and stored within one file.
Ease of Export
Artboards also make it easier to export your work. You can export each artboard as an individual file, or as a single multi-page PDF, giving you options for how you share your designs.
What Is The Purpose Of Using Artboards?
Here are the purposes of using artboards in Illustrator:
Project Versatility
Artboards can adapt to multiple layouts and sizes, making them ideal for projects that require varying dimensions, like responsive web designs or social media graphics.
Streamlined Workflow
Having multiple artboards in one document helps to streamline your workflow. You can copy elements from one artboard and paste them into another, maintaining consistency in design elements like color, typography, and graphics across various deliverables.
Prototyping and Preview
Artboards allow you to easily prototype and preview different versions of your design, all in one Illustrator document. This can be particularly useful for client reviews and internal assessments.
Professional Output
For graphic design professionals, artboards are essential for a smooth, efficient design process that aligns with industry standards for both digital and print output.
How Do You Work On Different Artboards In Illustrator?
Here’s how you work on different artboards in Illustrator:
Selecting an Artboard
To switch between artboards, simply click on the one you wish to work on. Your toolset will now be active on the selected artboard, making it the focus of your design efforts.
Using the Artboards Panel
For a more organized approach, use the Artboards Panel to quickly switch between different artboards. You can also rearrange artboards here by dragging and dropping.
Zooming and Navigation
To zoom into a specific artboard, double-click on its name in the Artboards Panel, or use the Zoom Tool. To move around different artboards, you can use the Hand Tool for manual navigation or use the navigator panel for quicker jumps.
Duplicating and Deleting
To duplicate an artboard, select it using the Artboard Tool, then Alt+Click (Option+Click on a Mac) and drag. To delete an artboard, you can click on the ‘Delete Artboard’ icon in the control panel, or simply hit the ‘Delete’ key after selecting it with the Artboard Tool.
Bulk Actions
If you have multiple artboards and need to perform the same action on several, like exporting or resizing, you can select multiple artboards in the Artboards Panel by holding down the Shift key while clicking on the artboards you want to include.
Does Artboard Size Matter In Illustrator?
Yes — the size of your artboard matters based on what you’re designing.
For Print Projects
For print projects, you’ll want to set up your artboard to the exact dimensions of your print specs, including any bleed, trim, or safe areas.
For Digital Media
For digital design, the size should match the resolution you intend for the final output.
Vector Graphics
Since Illustrator is a vector graphic software, resizing usually doesn’t affect the quality of your artwork. However, it’s crucial to start with the correct size for a smoother workflow and less rework.
Why Use Multiple Artboards?
Here are the reasons to use multiple artboards
Efficiency and Consistency
Having multiple artboards in one Illustrator file lets you work on related designs simultaneously, maintaining consistency across your designs.
Single File Management
You can manage multiple related designs like business cards, banners, and letterheads within a single Illustrator file. This makes it easier to manage assets and revisions.
Ease of Export
You can export multiple artboards into separate files or as a single PDF with multiple pages, streamlining client reviews and final delivery.
Design Iterations
Using multiple artboards is beneficial for comparing design versions side-by-side without having to toggle between different files.
Presentation and Review
When presenting your designs to stakeholders, it’s easier to showcase a series of related designs if they’re all in a single Illustrator file.
How Do I Add A Page To My Artboard In Illustrator?
Firstly, it’s important to note that Adobe Illustrator doesn’t use ‘pages’ in the way that some other software like Adobe InDesign does.
Instead, Illustrator uses artboards, which can function like pages. Here’s how you add an artboard or page to your artboard in Illustrator:
Steps to Add a New Artboard
- Launch Illustrator: Open your existing Illustrator document or start a new one.
- Select the Artboard Tool: It’s located on the Tools Panel or you can press Shift + O to activate it.
- Click and Drag: Simply click and drag in an empty space within your workspace to create a new artboard. Alternatively, you can click on the ‘New Artboard’ button in the control panel.
- Customize Dimensions: If you need specific dimensions, you can set these in the Artboard Options Dialog Box that appears when you double-click the new artboard with the Artboard Tool selected.
You’ve just added a new artboard, functioning as a new ‘page,’ to your Illustrator document.
How Many Pages Can Illustrator Handle?
Adobe Illustrator is quite robust, and it can handle up to 1,000 artboards in a single document. However, keep in mind that the more artboards you add, the heavier the Illustrator file becomes, which could slow down your system’s performance.
Optimizing Performance
For large projects, consider using layers and layer groups to further organize your content within each artboard. This way, you can keep your file more manageable without sacrificing the complexity of your designs.
How Do I Put Multiple Artboards On One Page In Illustrator?
While each artboard in Illustrator can function as a separate ‘page,’ all these artboards technically exist on one infinite canvas. So, in a sense, they’re already on ‘one page.’
Artboard Arrangement
- Select the Artboard Tool: Hit Shift + O or click on the Artboard Tool in the Tools Panel.
- Click and Drag: To arrange multiple artboards manually, click and drag them into the positions you desire within the workspace.
- Alignment and Distribution: For more precise arrangement, use the align and distribute options within the control panel when the Artboard Tool is selected.
Printing Multiple Artboards
If by ‘one page’ you mean one sheet of paper, then yes, you can print multiple artboards on a single sheet. Here’s how:
- Go to File > Print to open the Print Dialog.
- Choose Artboards: Under the ‘General’ section, you’ll see an option for ‘Artboards’. Here, you can specify which artboards you want to print.
- Tile Options: Go to the ‘Setup’ or ‘Page Setup’ tab within the Print Dialog and look for ‘Tile’ options. You can choose to scale the artboards to fit on a single page.
