Expert: Amy - 3/1/2004

Question
Using Illustrator 9 and 10 on a PC.

I need to draw to exact scale in Illustrator. Any tips on how to do this? I notice the units available as being inches, pixels etc. for the rulers. Am I missing something?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Victoria,

You can set up a grid and snap to it.  Set your scale here.

Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid > Gridline Every: ____

And you can also set your Units in Preferences while you're there.

Also, this is probably the most helpful tip for you, you can learn to make use of the Transform palette.  Window > Show Transform (or Shift + F8).

After drawing a shape, you can select it and view its dimensions in this Transform palette.  Then you can enter any new measurement you want for the Width and Height, hit return and the shape will change to that size.

I think this will get you off to a good start.

-Amy