You can create a custom artboard in Illustrator using the Artboard tool, which allows you to define the size and position of your artboard manually.
Here's how:
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Select the Artboard Tool: In the Tools panel on the left side of your screen, find and select the Artboard tool. It looks like a rectangle with corner handles.
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Drag to Create: With the Artboard tool selected, click and drag directly on your canvas to draw a new artboard. This allows you to visually define its dimensions.
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Resize Precisely (Optional):
- Properties Panel: Look to the Properties panel on the right side of your screen (Window > Properties if you don't see it). Here, you can enter specific width and height values for your artboard in the "Artboard Options" section.
- Control Panel: Alternatively, with the Artboard tool still selected and the artboard active, the Control panel (usually at the top of the screen) will display width (W) and height (H) fields where you can input precise dimensions.
- Artboard Options Dialog Box: Double-click the Artboard tool to bring up the Artboard Options dialog box, offering even more precise control.
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Position the Artboard: You can reposition your newly created artboard by clicking and dragging it with the Artboard tool. Make sure the artboard is selected (indicated by its highlighted border) before you drag.
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Choose a Preset (Alternative Method): In the Properties panel, you can also click the "Artboards" button under the Quick Actions section. This opens the Artboards panel where you can click the "+" icon to create a new artboard that matches the size of existing document elements or chose from a range of presets.
Key Considerations:
- Multiple Artboards: Illustrator allows you to create multiple artboards in a single document. This is useful for designing various iterations of a design, different pages of a document, or multiple elements of a project.
- Renaming Artboards: Double-click the artboard's name (usually "Artboard 1," "Artboard 2," etc.) in the Layers panel or the Artboards panel to rename it. This makes managing multiple artboards much easier.
By following these steps, you can easily create custom artboards in Illustrator that meet your exact design needs.
