Using guides
To help align text and graphic objects on the page, you can create and display alignment outlines called guides. Like grids, guides do not print. When dragging an object, the cursor snaps to guides if Snap To Point is turned on. (See Snapping to a point.) You can create two kinds of guides: - Ruler guides are straight horizontal or vertical lines created with the ruler. These guides are the simplest to make and are useful for setting alignment lines across the length or width of the work area.
- Guide objects are vector objects (such as lines, rectangles, or any other artwork consisting of paths, except type) that are converted to guides. Using guide objects can help you plan and create your artwork around one or more objects. You can convert guide objects back into graphic objects at any time.
New guides are locked in place to orient your artwork. However, you can unlock a guide to select, move, delete, or modify it, or revert it to a graphic object.
To create a ruler guide: - If the rulers are not already displayed, choose View > Show Rulers.
- Position the pointer on the left ruler for a vertical guide or on the top ruler for a horizontal guide. Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) to switch the ruler guide from horizontal to vertical, and vice versa.
- Drag the ruler guide into position.
To make working with multiple guides easier, place all guides on a single layer. You can then choose the layer to select all guides for moving or adjusting. (See Organizing objects using layers.)
To convert an object into a guide object: - Select an object, a group of objects, or any combination of objects and groups.
- Choose View > Guides > Make Guides.
To lock or unlock guides: Choose View > Guides > Lock Guides. A check mark indicates that all guides are locked.
To move, delete, or release a guide: - Make sure that the guides are unlocked.
- Select the guide you want to move, delete, or release, and do one of the following:
- Move the guide by dragging or copying.
- Delete the guide by pressing Backspace or Del (Windows) or Delete (Mac OS), or by choosing Edit > Cut or Edit > Clear.
- Delete all guides at once by choosing View > Guides > Clear Guides.
- Release the guide, turning it back into a regular graphic object, by choosing View > Guides > Release Guides.
To show or hide guides: Choose View > Guides > Show Guides to show all guides or View > Guides > Hide Guides to hide them.
To change guide settings: - Choose Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid (Windows) or Illustrator > Preferences > Guides & Grid (Mac OS).
- Set either of the following options, and click OK:
- For Color, choose a color for the guides. If you choose Other, click the color box, choose a color from the color picker, and click OK.
- For Style, choose a display option for the guides.
|