Place multiple files in a grid like InDesign

[MileHighJerome]

InDesign has a very nifty feature that I would like to see in Illustrator; if you press the arrow keys while placing multiple images at once, you can create a "grid" of the images. Depending on the job I'm working on, I have to place hundreds of files at once... Having this feature would streamline a lot of my projects.

Either that, or maybe have an option in the Align Panel that allows you to arrange images into a grid. Thoughts?

[jane-e]

Here is the link for posting a feature request for the Illustrator team:

Adobe Illustrator Feedback

You'll be able to track the request, vote on other requests, and search to see what has been requested.

[MileHighJerome]

I already did that, but the only vote my suggestion has is mine... I posted it a while ago. Back in December.

Place multiple files in a grid like InDesign – Adobe Illustrator Feedback

[jane-e]

There are two now—I just voted. Sometime it helps to post your link here, as you just did, so more people see it.

[MileHighJerome]

Awesome, thanks!

[Ton Frederiks]

That makes 3

[pixxxelschubser]

Do you need something like a contact sheet for illustrator? Or more a files to artboard 'thing'?

[MileHighJerome]

More like a files to artboard type of thing. I have proofs I send to clients to make sure the art is right, and often times there is more than one thing I need to place in the file.

[pixxxelschubser]

Unclear, please explain in detail. Screenshots and/or example files could be helpful.

[Ton Frederiks]

Probably like the Gridify / Contact Sheet options in InDesign:

https://indesignsecrets.com/quickly-place-images-indesign-document.php

[pixxxelschubser]

I think too.

Possible with scripting:

• Load all images
• transform to required values
• create a new artboard for every image
• rearrange artboards
• (if necessary - join all artboards)

[MileHighJerome]

Seems a bit excessive, when I would rather just use the Gridify option like in InDesign, as @Ton Frederiks mentioned.

"https://forums.adobe.com/people/Ton+Frederiks  wrote

Probably like the Gridify / Contact Sheet options in InDesign:

https://indesignsecrets.com/quickly-place-images-indesign-document.php"

[pixxxelschubser]

A script would be an instant solution. But just wait for an implementation in Illustrator …

[David_at_Summit]

A method that worked for me is to combine all file objects using Acrobat into a single document and open it using Illustrator. This is useful when the original or relative image sizes are important. Opening a multipage PDF document using Illustrator will prompt you with the options to import all pages or a specific range. Note that placing it will not give you the options for all pages or a page range. 

Another method is to simply use InDesign for the import process and to gridify the entire set. Then, copy the grid set from InDesign and paste it to Illustrator. Note that some effects may not be compatible with this method. So, if you get the warning, be sure to check the pasted images carefully for any unacceptable changes and replace those as needed with the regular Place method.

To create a grid of multiple objects using InDesign, press Ctrl+D (Cmd+D on a Mac), select and "Open" all of the files simultaneously, drag a rectangle for the total grid area, before releasing the mouse button, tap the right-arrow key to add columns and the up-arrow key to add rows. The opposing left- and down-arrow keys will remove the columns and rows, respectively. Once you release the mouse button, objects for all of the selected files will be sized to fit within each grid cell. Lastly, with the entire grid still selected, copy, switch to Ilustrator, and paste. Voila!