Adobe Illustrator’s multiple Artboards feature is a powerful tool for designing multiple variations or elements within a single document. However, at times, you might need to save each Artboard as a separate file for printing, sharing, or other purposes. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of saving individual Artboards in Adobe Illustrator, helping you streamline your workflow and stay organized.
- Understanding Artboards in Adobe Illustrator
- The Process of Saving Individual Artboards
- Naming and Organizing Saved Artboards
- Export Formats and Settings
- Using Scripts for Batch Exporting (Optional)
- Conclusion
Understanding Artboards in Adobe Illustrator: Artboards are essentially the canvases within an Illustrator document, allowing you to work on different designs or variations within the same project file. They are incredibly useful for creating multipage documents, such as brochures, business cards, or presentations.
The Process of Saving Individual Artboards:
- Open your Illustrator document with multiple Artboards.
- Navigate to ‘File’ > ‘Export’ > ‘Export As.’ This opens the Export As dialog box.
- Choose the destination folder where you want to save the individual Artboard file.
- Select the desired export format (PNG, JPEG, PDF, etc.).
- Click on “Use Artboards” and enter the Artboard range you’d like to export. You can export them all at once, leaving individual files in your folder or select a specific range.
- Click the ‘Export’ button to save the indivivdual Artboard as a separate file.
Naming and Organizing Saved Artboards: When you’re saving multiple Artboards as separate files, naming and organizing become crucial for maintaining order. Consider adopting a consistent naming convention that includes the Artboard number or a brief description. This will make it easier to identify files later.
Export Formats and Settings:
- PNG: Ideal for images with transparent backgrounds. Use this format when your Artboard has elements that require a transparent backdrop.
- JPEG: Perfect for images with a wide range of colors and gradients. Adjust the quality slider to balance file size and image quality.
- PDF: Suitable for documents with vectors and text. PDFs retain vector information and are easily shareable.
5. Using Scripts for Batch Exporting (Optional): For designers who frequently need to save multiple Artboards, using scripts can save time and effort. Adobe Illustrator allows you to run JavaScript scripts that automate tasks, such as exporting Artboards. You can find various scripts online that are designed to export Artboards in bulk.
Efficiently saving individual Artboards in Adobe Illustrator can enhance your workflow and simplify your design process. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can effortlessly create separate files for each Artboard, making it easier to share, print, or collaborate on different design variations. Keep in mind the various export formats and settings to ensure your saved Artboards meet your specific requirements. With this skill in your toolkit, you’ll be better equipped to manage multipage projects and maintain an organized design workflow.