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How Do I Create a Custom Rectangle in Illustrator?

Published in Illustrator Shapes 3 mins read

To create a custom rectangle in Illustrator, use the Rectangle Tool and adjust its properties to your desired specifications.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

  1. Select the Rectangle Tool: In the Tools panel (usually on the left side of your screen), find the Shape tools. If you see another shape visible (e.g., Ellipse), press and hold the displayed shape icon to reveal all the shape tools. Select the Rectangle Tool (it looks like a rectangle).

  2. Draw the Basic Rectangle: Click and drag on your artboard to draw a rectangle. As you drag, you'll see the rectangle forming.

  3. Control Dimensions While Drawing (Optional): While dragging, you can hold down the following keys:

    • Shift: Constrains the rectangle to a perfect square.
    • Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac): Draws the rectangle from the center.
    • Spacebar: Allows you to reposition the rectangle while still drawing it.

  4. Precise Dimensions (After Drawing): If you need specific dimensions:

    • Option 1: Properties Panel: After drawing the rectangle, make sure it's selected. Go to the Properties panel (Window > Properties). You can directly input the desired width (W) and height (H) values.
    • Option 2: Transform Panel: Go to Window > Transform. Similar to the Properties panel, you can adjust the W and H values. The Transform panel also gives you precise control over position (X,Y coordinates) and other transformations.
    • Option 3: Double-Click the Rectangle Tool: Double-clicking on the Rectangle Tool icon in the toolbar will open a Rectangle dialog box where you can directly specify the width and height. You can also specify a corner radius for rounded corners in this dialog.

  5. Customize the Appearance: With the rectangle selected, use the Control panel (across the top) or the Properties panel to adjust:

    • Fill: The color inside the rectangle.
    • Stroke: The color, weight (thickness), and style of the outline.
    • Corner Radius: Rounded corners can be achieved by adjusting the corner radius in the Properties panel or by using the Live Corners feature (small circles that appear when you select the Direct Selection Tool (A)).

  6. Transform Further: You can further customize the rectangle using Illustrator's various transformation tools (Scale, Rotate, Shear, etc.) found under the Object > Transform menu.

By combining these steps, you can create rectangles tailored to your exact needs within Adobe Illustrator.

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