How to Calculate Area of a Shape in Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool for creating and editing vector graphics, making it an ideal program for designing various shapes and figures. When working with shapes, it is often necessary to calculate the area of a certain shape in order to determine the space it occupies. Whether you’re designing a logo, a floor plan, or a poster, knowing how to calculate the area of a shape in Adobe Illustrator can be a valuable skill. In this article, we will explore the different methods you can use to calculate the area of a shape in Adobe Illustrator.
1. Using the Measure Tool:
The Measure Tool in Adobe Illustrator allows you to measure the length, width, and area of shapes and paths. To calculate the area of a shape using the Measure Tool, follow these steps:
– Select the Measure Tool from the Tools panel on the left side of the Illustrator interface.
– Click and drag the Measure Tool over the shape whose area you want to calculate. This will create a measurement line across the shape, displaying the measurements in the Info panel.
– In the Info panel, you will see the length and width of the shape, as well as the area. The area will be displayed in square units, such as square inches or square centimeters.
2. Using the Pathfinder Panel:
The Pathfinder panel in Adobe Illustrator offers various tools for combining and dividing shapes, and it can also be used to calculate the area of a shape. To calculate the area of a shape using the Pathfinder panel, follow these steps:
– Select the shape whose area you want to calculate.
– Open the Pathfinder panel by going to Window > Pathfinder.
– In the Pathfinder panel, select the “Outline” option. This will create an outline of the selected shape, converting it into a compound path.
– With the shape still selected, go to Object > Expand. This will expand the outline into a fillable shape.
– With the expanded shape selected, go to Object > Path > Average. This will average the points of the shape, making it easier to calculate the area.
– Finally, with the shape still selected, go to Window > Info to view the area of the shape in the Info panel.
3. Using the Transform Panel:
The Transform panel in Adobe Illustrator allows you to view and edit the dimensions and position of shapes and objects. It can also be used to calculate the area of a shape. To calculate the area of a shape using the Transform panel, follow these steps:
– Select the shape whose area you want to calculate.
– Open the Transform panel by going to Window > Transform.
– In the Transform panel, you will see the width and height of the shape. To calculate the area, simply multiply the width by the height. For example, if the width is 10 units and the height is 8 units, the area would be 80 square units.
In conclusion, Adobe Illustrator provides several methods for calculating the area of a shape, whether it’s through the Measure Tool, the Pathfinder panel, or the Transform panel. By mastering these techniques, you can accurately determine the area of any shape in your Illustrator projects, helping you create precise and well-designed graphics.
