Skip to main content
MattPenko_FuturaDDB
MattPenko_FuturaDDB
Participant
January 30, 2025
Question

Artboard shapes

  • January 30, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 1102 views

It would be really nice to be able to have an artboard tool that can reshape the artboard into different shapes, other than just a rectangle. 
It would be nice to have rounded corners, circles, or even star shaped and freehand artboards. 

 

For example - we use rounded corner shapes or ovals (circles) a lot in print. Right now I'm solving everything with clipping paths and overprinted spot color as a diecut guide. If this was automated by just the shape of an artboard, it'd be great. Maybe go step by step and start with rounded corners and circles and then move on to free hand shapes.  

 

Or maybe click on a shape and have a dropdown menu that works like "make guides", but have it be "make artboard".

It would work great for digital too, where the artboard would determine the of shape of a transparent PNG for example. (Design a round badge, but have elements go to the edge and over the artboard's edge and in an export, just the artboard shape with transparency would be exported).

    2 replies

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 30, 2025

    The printer wants a diecut from you. SO I'm just not sure how a differently shaped artboard would answer any question anyone might have.

     

    Or do you expect an artboard to magically save you from having to set up cutlines? Since the printers' file requirements are just so different, that will not happen anytime soon. So you better start learning how to deal with the requirements.

      MattPenko_FuturaDDB
      MattPenko_FuturaDDBAuthor
      Participant
      January 30, 2025

      I've been doing this for more than 20 years, so I have no problem dealing with cutlines. But maybe there's a way to automate it. Just like they automated color swatches for brandbooks and dimension lines...

      Carbon based.
      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 30, 2025

      What you cannot automate is the dozen of different requirements for cutlines.

       

      If you are always dealing with the same ones, set up swatches, actions or scripts tailored to those requirements.

      P
      PjaPja
      Participant
      January 30, 2025
       

      I completely agree with this suggestion, and honestly, I’m surprised Adobe hasn’t implemented it yet! Having the ability to create artboards in various shapes—like circles, rounded rectangles, or even custom freehand shapes—would be such a game-changer. It’s especially useful for print, where die-cut shapes like ovals or rounded corners are so common. Right now, like you mentioned, solving this with clipping paths or spot colors feels more like a workaround than an efficient solution.

      A dropdown or tool similar to "make guides," but for creating artboards in specific shapes, sounds like such an intuitive way to integrate this feature.

      So, Adobe—when can we expect this update? 😄 It feels like a natural evolution for artboards, and designers everywhere would absolutely appreciate it!

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices