CC 2017 Illustrator Artboard Size: A Limitation in Scale

As designers, we often face limitations when working with software like Adobe Illustrator. One such limitation is the artboard size, which can hinder our creative process and lead to errors. In this article, I will discuss my experience with Illustrator's current artboard size and why a larger or limitless canvas would be beneficial for many users.

I recently encountered an issue while designing a large-scale wall mural. The dimension of the wall was 753' x 40', which required me to reduce the scale of my design by 75% to accommodate it within Illustrator's constraints. This not only limited my creative freedom but also introduced the risk of errors due to manual calculations.

Another instance where I faced limitations with Illustrator's artboard size was when working on a floor plan for a large commercial space. I had to create multiple artboards and place them one by one, increasing the likelihood of mistakes. Moreover, exporting an artboard at 1:10 scale resulted in giant trim marks that made it difficult to work efficiently.

In my line of work, which involves designing advertisements, vinyl wrapping, and interior decor, precision is crucial. I often need to export designs with precise measurements, which can be challenging when working with Illustrator's limited artboard size. For instance, if I'm designing a mural with fine details, I may accidentally miss an alignment or have issues with stroke width when scaling up or down.

To overcome these limitations, I would like to see a larger or limitless canvas in Illustrator. This would allow me to work on designs at their actual scale, reducing the risk of errors and increasing efficiency. Additionally, having trim marks or crop marks in scale would be advantageous, especially when exporting designs for print and cut purposes.

In conclusion, Illustrator's current artboard size is a limitation that can hinder our creative process and lead to errors. A larger or limitless canvas would allow designers like myself to work more efficiently and with greater precision. I hope that Adobe will consider this feature request in future updates, making it easier for designers to create high-quality designs without the constraints of artboard size.

Cc 2017 illustrator artboard size