How do I open an artboard in Illustrator?

To open an artboard in Adobe Illustrator, you can use the Artboard Tool or its keyboard shortcut. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:

Using the Artboard Tool

1. Locate the Tool Palette: When using the default Illustrator layout, the tool palette is on the left side of your screen.

2. Select the Artboard Tool: Click on the Artboard Tool icon. It's typically represented by a rectangle with corner handles.

   • See the image in the reference for the current appearance of this tool.

3. Manipulate the Artboard: Once selected, you can create a new artboard by clicking and dragging on the canvas, or you can select existing artboards to modify them.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

• The keyboard shortcut for the Artboard Tool is Shift + O. Pressing these keys simultaneously will instantly select the Artboard Tool.

Practical Insights

• Quick Workflow: Utilizing the keyboard shortcut, Shift + O, is an efficient way to manage artboards without having to switch to the tool panel.
• Multiple Artboards: Illustrator allows you to have multiple artboards within the same document. This is useful for projects that require different layouts or versions.
• Artboard Options: When an artboard is selected with the Artboard tool, you can modify its size, position, and orientation using the properties panel or by manually dragging its handles on the canvas.

Example

By using either of these methods, you can easily open and manage artboards in Adobe Illustrator, enhancing your workflow and productivity.