When designing in Illustrator, it’s often necessary to evenly space out objects to create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition. However, manually adjusting the position of each individual object can be time-consuming and imprecise. Fortunately, Illustrator provides several powerful tools that make it easy to evenly distribute objects, both horizontally and vertically. In this article, we will explore two effective methods for spacing out objects evenly: using the Distribute Space tool and using the Align panel.
The Distribute Space tool is a dedicated tool specifically designed for evenly spacing objects. To use it, select the objects you want to distribute and click on the Distribute Space tool located in the Control panel. You can then choose to distribute the objects horizontally or vertically, and specify the spacing between them. Illustrator will automatically adjust the position of each object to create an even distribution. This method is particularly useful when you want to quickly and easily distribute a large number of objects.
Alternatively, you can use the Align panel to evenly space objects. The Align panel provides a wide range of options for aligning and distributing objects, including the ability to evenly distribute them horizontally or vertically. To use the Align panel, select the objects you want to distribute and open the Align panel from the Window menu. In the Align panel, select the “Distribute Objects” option and choose the desired distribution method (either horizontal or vertical). Illustrator will then evenly distribute the objects according to the specified settings. This method is more versatile than the Distribute Space tool, as it allows you to align objects to specific points or edges, and to control the spacing between them more precisely.
Using the Align Panel
The Align panel provides a convenient and versatile way to evenly space objects in Illustrator. To access the Align panel, navigate to Window > Align. Once the panel is open, you can use the various options within it to align and distribute objects accurately.
To evenly space objects horizontally or vertically, select the objects you want to align and then click on the respective Distribute Center button in the Align panel. The Horizontal Distribute Center button aligns the selected objects evenly along their horizontal axis, while the Vertical Distribute Center button aligns them evenly along their vertical axis.
Additionally, you can use the Align To Selection button in the Align panel to align objects relative to a selected reference object. Simply select the reference object first, and then select the objects you want to align to it. Click on the Align To Selection button to align the selected objects to the reference object’s edges or center point.
| Horizontal Alignment Options | Vertical Alignment Options |
|---|---|
| Distribute Left | Distribute Top |
| Distribute Center | Distribute Middle |
| Distribute Right | Distribute Bottom |
How To Evenly Space Out Objects In Illustrator
When you’re working with multiple objects in Illustrator, it’s often helpful to be able to evenly space them out. This can help to create a more organized and visually appealing design. There are a few different ways to evenly space out objects in Illustrator, depending on the specific layout you’re working with.
One way to evenly space out objects is to use the Align panel. To do this, select the objects you want to space out and then click on the Align panel (Window > Align). In the Align panel, select the “Horizontal Align Center” or “Vertical Align Center” option, depending on whether you want to space the objects horizontally or vertically. You can also use the “Distribute Objects” option to evenly space the objects within a specific area.
Another way to evenly space out objects is to use the Artboard Tool (Shift + O). To do this, click on the Artboard Tool and then drag out a rectangle around the objects you want to space out. Once you have created the rectangle, select the objects and then click on the “Align Objects” button in the Properties panel. In the Align Objects dialog box, select the “Horizontal Align Center” or “Vertical Align Center” option, depending on whether you want to space the objects horizontally or vertically. You can also use the “Distribute Objects” option to evenly space the objects within the rectangle.
Finally, you can also use the keyboard shortcuts to evenly space out objects. To do this, select the objects you want to space out and then press the following keyboard shortcuts:
- Horizontal: Alt + Shift + Left Arrow (or Right Arrow)
- Vertical: Alt + Shift + Up Arrow (or Down Arrow)
These keyboard shortcuts will evenly space the objects horizontally or vertically, depending on the arrow key you press.
People Also Ask About How To Evenly Space Out Objects In Illustrator
How do I distribute objects evenly in Illustrator using a grid?
To distribute objects evenly in Illustrator using a grid, follow these steps:
- Create a grid by going to View > Show Grid.
- Select the objects you want to distribute.
- Go to Object > Arrange > Distribute.
- In the Distribute dialog box, select the “Grid” option and click OK.
How do I space objects evenly in a circle in Illustrator?
To space objects evenly in a circle in Illustrator, follow these steps:
- Create a circle using the Ellipse Tool (L).
- Select the circle and the objects you want to space around it.
- Go to Object > Arrange > Distribute.
- In the Distribute dialog box, select the “Object” option and click OK.
