How to align multiple artboards in Adobe Illustrator CS4?

Question

I have a bunch of artboards in a file and I want to align them accurately, like the way I can align graphic objects with Align panel. The alternative is to use a grid and align them manually with a mouse but may be there is a better way?Thanks!

Answer 1

You actually can use the Align tool with artboards! Perhaps this is what you're missing: make sure you're using the Artboard tool to select the boards you want to reposition, and THEN use the Align window as you normally would. If you try to use the Selection or Direct Selection tools, it won't work because those can only manipulate objects, not artboards.

(Note that the Align options "align to artboard" / "align to selection" / "align to key object" will grey out when you have your artboards selected. This is because you only have the option of aligning to selection when aligning artboards.)

You can also mess with board placement directly by using the Artboard window. Your boards are listed there. Click on the icon to the right of the artboard you want to tweak. A pop-up will appear which allows you to rename, resize, and move the artboard. (That pop-up has other settings you can explore if you want, as well.)

Hope this helps!