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Brenda Mabbitt
Participating Frequently
January 19, 2020
Question

Cannot Open Rectangular Grid Tool in Illustrator

  • January 19, 2020
  • 9 replies
  • 4291 views

Hi, all - I am trying to create a pixelated version of a client's logo, and was planning on using the Rectangular Grid Tool; however, it's grayed out, and I can't open it.  Am I missing something?

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

9 replies

Doug A Roberts
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 20, 2020

I'll bet what you're seeing is this:

This isn't where you pick tools; it's the window used for editing the contents of the toolbar. If a tool is greyed out, you already have it in the toolbar.

By default, it is located under the line tool. Click and hold to reveal it:

 

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 20, 2020

As Jeff suggested, there are other good techniques. It would partly depend on the logo, whether it is a bitmap or vector. If it is bitmap, another technque would be Object > Create Object Mosaic. 

In any case, even if you decide on another technique, I'm sure that you would want to get your Rectangular Grid tool back in working order.

Jeff Witchel, ACI
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 20, 2020

A "pixel-like" logo might be done more easily with Split Into Grid. Object > Path > Split into Grid. Each object in the resulting Grid is a separate object.

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 19, 2020

You could try resetting your workspace (Windows menu)

Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 19, 2020

Thanks for telling what version of Illustrator you are using.

 

But again, can you also show a screenshot that may better explain what your issue is about?

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 19, 2020

Since people are now calling everything a "tool": what exactly are we talking about? The actual tool in the toolbar or something else?

Brenda Mabbitt
Participating Frequently
January 19, 2020

I'm using Illustrator 2020 (the latest version.  

 

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 19, 2020
Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 19, 2020

Which version of Illustrator are you using on what operating system?

 

Also can you post a screenshot that shows the greyed out tool?