The Align and Distribute panels in Adobe Illustrator are your go-to tools for precisely positioning and spacing objects in your artwork. They take the guesswork out of alignment and ensure your designs are neat and organized. Here's how you use them:
1. Accessing the Panels :
- Align Panel: Go to Window > Align (Shift + F7).
- Distribute Panel: Often, the Distribute options are found within the Align panel itself. If you don't see them, click the small menu icon in the top right corner of the Align panel and choose "Show Options."
2. Selecting Objects :
- Use the Selection Tool (black arrow) to select the objects you want to align or distribute. You can select multiple objects by clicking and dragging or by holding Shift and clicking on each object.
3. Understanding the "Align To" Options :
The "Align To" dropdown menu in the Align panel determines the reference point for alignment and distribution:
- Align to Selection: Objects align to each other, based on the bounding box of the selected objects.
- Align to Key Object: Objects align to a specific object within the selection, which you designate as the "key object." This gives you more control over the alignment.
- Align to Artboard: Objects align to the artboard itself.
4. Alignment Options :
The top row of icons in the Align panel controls alignment:
- Horizontal Align Left: Aligns objects to the left edge of the selection, key object, or artboard.
- Horizontal Align Center: Aligns objects to the horizontal center of the selection, key object, or artboard.
- Horizontal Align Right: Aligns objects to the right edge of the selection, key object, or artboard.
- Vertical Align Top: Aligns objects to the top edge of the selection, key object, or artboard.
- Vertical Align Center: Aligns objects to the vertical center of the selection, key object, or artboard.
- Vertical Align Bottom: Aligns objects to the bottom edge of the selection, key object, or artboard.
5. Distribution Options :
The bottom row of icons in the Align panel controls distribution:
- Horizontal Distribute Left: Distributes objects so that the space between their left edges is equal.
- Horizontal Distribute Center: Distributes objects so that the space between their centers is equal.
- Horizontal Distribute Right: Distributes objects so that the space between their right edges is equal.
- Vertical Distribute Top: Distributes objects so that the space between their top edges is equal.
- Vertical Distribute Center: Distributes objects so that the space between their centers is equal.
- Vertical Distribute Bottom: Distributes objects so that the space between their bottom edges is equal.
6. Distribute Spacing :
- You can also distribute objects with a specific amount of space between them by using the "Distribute Spacing" options in the Align panel. Enter the desired spacing value and then click the horizontal or vertical distribute spacing buttons.
