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authoramy
authoramy
Participating Frequently
March 30, 2017
Answered

I increased my canvas size but can't see the larger canvas

  • March 30, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 4544 views

Hello. I'm guessing this will be super-easy for someone to answer. I created an artboard in Photoshop that was 8x12 inches. As I started working, I realized I needed it to be bigger. So I used Image>Canvas Size to increase the size of the canvas to 10x15. (Incidentally, the drop down box "Canvas Extension Color" wasn't active, so I wasn't able to tell PS what color to make the extra canvas inches.) Now, my canvas size says it's 10x15 but I can only see the original 8x12. It's as if the inches I added are invisible. How can I make the entire canvas visible so I can work with it? Help!!

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Correct answer davescm

authoramy  wrote

Hello. I'm guessing this will be super-easy for someone to answer. I created an artboard in Photoshop that was 8x12 inches. As I started working, I realized I needed it to be bigger. So I used Image>Canvas Size to increase the size of the canvas to 10x15. (Incidentally, the drop down box "Canvas Extension Color" wasn't active, so I wasn't able to tell PS what color to make the extra canvas inches.) Now, my canvas size says it's 10x15 but I can only see the original 8x12. It's as if the inches I added are invisible. How can I make the entire canvas visible so I can work with it? Help!!

You didn't need to use Canvas size.

The Artboard tool shares a space in the toolbar with the move tool (just click and hold the move tool till you see the artboard tool).

Use that to make your artboard larger by clicking and dragging the handles. The canvas size which contains one or more artboards will expand automatically to contain the artboards.

Dave

3 replies

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
March 31, 2017

authoramy  wrote

Hello. I'm guessing this will be super-easy for someone to answer. I created an artboard in Photoshop that was 8x12 inches. As I started working, I realized I needed it to be bigger. So I used Image>Canvas Size to increase the size of the canvas to 10x15. (Incidentally, the drop down box "Canvas Extension Color" wasn't active, so I wasn't able to tell PS what color to make the extra canvas inches.) Now, my canvas size says it's 10x15 but I can only see the original 8x12. It's as if the inches I added are invisible. How can I make the entire canvas visible so I can work with it? Help!!

You didn't need to use Canvas size.

The Artboard tool shares a space in the toolbar with the move tool (just click and hold the move tool till you see the artboard tool).

Use that to make your artboard larger by clicking and dragging the handles. The canvas size which contains one or more artboards will expand automatically to contain the artboards.

Dave

    authoramy
    authoramyAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    March 31, 2017

    Thank you so much! That worked! And as I suspected, the solution was, in fact, extremely easy. Thank you!

    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 30, 2017

    I also never use Artboards in Photoshop, but I do wonder if I am missing out on a trick or two.  I did try to expand canvas size in a new Artboard, and had the same experience as authoramy  and was unable to view the added pixels regardless. 

    I don't do websites or device UIs, which AFAICT is what Artboards are for, but it would cool to be able to part objects outside the image space like we can in InDesign.  So are there benefits to using Artboards for illustration?  Time to bit the bullet and RTFI

    Use artboards in Adobe Photoshop

    Design for mobile and web using artboards |

    Working with Artboards in Photoshop CC « Julieanne Kost's Blog

    If you have a Lynda.com subscription

    Creating and using artboards

    Deke McClelland (the Lynda.com link) and Julianne Kost are my favourite sources for general Photoshop information, so that's where I'll start

      authoramy
      authoramyAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      March 31, 2017

      Thanks for the links; I'll check those out.

      Trevor.Dennis
      Community Expert
      Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 31, 2017

      I'm starting to get a handle on it.  The first image below is after creating two artboards.  Note That I started the brush strokes well outside the artboard boundaries

      I then added 400 pixels (relative) canvas all round and was able to lay down pixels outside the artboard boundaries.

      But I had to do this on a layer not in the artboard. Note also that when I added the Canvas size, the layer with thew red stripes was outside the artboards as layer 6 is in the second screen shot.

      This object is in artboard 2 as can be seen by the magenta ellipse and the layers panel

      If I move the object to artboard 1, then the layer automatically moves in the layers panel.

      But I can move it anywhere on the screen, and the layer moves outside both artboard groups like so.

      So this would be useful to someone like myself who creates illustrations, but not websites or interface designs.  By selecting an artboard with the artboard tool, drawing is limited to that artboard's boundaries, but I can now park an object outside the artboard(s) canvas like I can with InDesign.  That is going to be very useful to me, so thanks for starting this thread.

        R
        RonnyIzsak
        Known Participant
        March 30, 2017

        well, i have never used art boards in photoshop but two options are possible in my opinion.

        1, you need to change the size of your art board and not canvas

        2, the added pixels are always invisible so try to make a layer at the bottom and fill it with the desired foreground color

        authoramy
        authoramyAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        March 31, 2017

        Thanks for your response. I tried looking into your #1 before I posted the question, but what I came across led me to believe that it's the same steps to increase the size or an artboard as it is with a canvas.

        Re your #2: I'll try that!

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