Skip to main content
E
edisonmax
Participant
April 24, 2012
Question

How to create a evenly spaced grid of rectangles

  • April 24, 2012
  • 2 replies
  • 30452 views

Ok Im having difficulty in creating 5x5 rectangles with rounded corners, which themselves have a specific height and width and the spacing (rows and columns) inbetween are evely spaced.

How would i acheive this???

    2 replies

    Steve Fairbairn
    Steve Fairbairn
    Inspiring
    April 24, 2012

    Draw a rectangle or square that is the same size as the total.

    Then: Object > Path > Split Into Grid and define the number of rows and columns and gutter width.

    If you want rounded corners you can apply them as an effect.

      BDavies
      BDavies
      Participant
      June 20, 2017

      I can't speak for edisonmax, but Steve Fairbairn's suggestion worked great for my project.  I was trying to trace the Belorussian Flag, which has an "quilt-like" pattern on the left section.  The top shows the "pixelated" version.  The bottom shows the finished product.  Thanks so much for the help.

      Larry G. Schneider
      Community Expert
      Larry G. SchneiderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 24, 2012

      You will want to use the Effect>Distort&Transform>Transform. Make your initial square, Select it and go to  Effect>Distort&Transform>Transform. With the dialog open choose the number of copies and the distance you want it moved (i.e. for a 0.25 gutter choose 5.25). Then reselect the original and do it again in the other direction. You will get a warning about adding another effect but ignore it. If you want the copies to be live, then use Object>Expand Appearance.

      Sorry I didn't use the rounded rectangle but the method is the same.

      E
      edisonmaxAuthor
      Participant
      May 3, 2012

      Thanks for the replies.

      I had actually tried Steve Fairbank's method before posting this thread, however it would you would have to set the area and thw shape width seperately f.e. if i were to set the height and width and the spacing, the overall area wouldnt expand to compensate but rather stay the same, if i then increase the area it would mess up either the spacing or the width and height. Very Frustrating. a

      Anyway I have achieved what i wanted using Larry G. Schneider's method.

      I have one more question now at this point:

      Do you know how to manipulate the spacing between the shapes so that there is even spacing in the rows and columns between the shapes?? Doing this whilst using your method i found was hit and miss and i only got it roughly right.

      Thanks

      J
      Jesseham
      Inspiring
      May 3, 2012

      Use the align panel, and make sure you have it all the way open (click on the little arrow thing in the header to tip it open - note that it has 3 states.) The bottom section is distribute spacing.  The toggle button on the right side determines how it distributes, set it to Align to Selection if your leftmost and rightmost are where you want them to be and the middle ones will be evenly spaced within, Set it to Key Object if you want to be able to type the amount of space manually and then with all of them selected, regular click on the one you want to stay put.

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