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So you just completed an important artwork and are ready to send it off for printing or set it up to be posted online. If that is the case, you may want to preview it to ensure every part of the file is the way you want. But how exactly does the preview feature work?
You can preview documents before saving them using several modes, including pixel mode, outline mode, and overprint mode. Accessing this is pretty easy and can be done from the Illustrator toolbar.
If you are ready to learn more about previewing your work on Illustrator, you are in the right place! Join us as we explore how to use this feature and the different modes it entails. You can also learn how this feature can help you before you save your Illustrator projects.
How To Use The Preview Function In Adobe Illustrator
When using Adobe Illustrator, you can find an easy way to preview what the artwork will look like when it is either printed or viewed on the web. Here are the steps you need to follow to make this happen:
- Run Adobe Illustrator on your computer or another device.
- Open up the file that you would like to preview.
- Now, click on the View menu on Adobe Illustrator’s top bar.
- Choose from either Overprint, Pixel, or Trim View Mode.
- You will now see a preview of your file, depending on your preference.
Do you want to see this process in action? Here is a video showing how to use this feature:
To know what the right preview option for you is, you need to know what the modes covered in this section do.
Let’s start with the Overprint Preview mode. This mode allows you to see an ‘ink preview’ that accounts for things like blending, transparency issues, and overprinting problems that can occur based on the color that you have used.
This method is best used to check up on artwork that will be printed in the future.
There is also the Outline Preview mode. This mode shows the artwork only as its outlines or only by showing the paths of the elements.
This helps to reduce the time for redrawing when working on complex art and can help you check if the elements are all there. There are a number of options when using the outline mode:
- You can view all outlines by holding down Control (or Command for macOS) and E.
- You can also view the outlines of any one layer by holding down Control (or Command for macOS) and clicking on the layer’s eye icon.
- You can view the unselected layers by holding down Alt and Command (Option and COmmand for macOS) and holding down the eye icon on the selected layers.
Next up, there is the Pixl preview method. This mode will allow you to see the artwork’s appearance when you save it to be viewed on a web browser. As you may have guessed, this is a good choice when you want to save the file and post it online.
Lastly, there is the Trim View Mode. This mode shows you all of the elements that are due to be printed, and anything that won’t be printed will be hidden. This means that any guides and grids are hidden, and anything lying outside the artboard is cut out.
The great thing is, though, you can create in this mode and continue to edit your work.
The mode you preview in is essential as it will give you the necessary information about your work and how it will look printed or on the web. So, always make sure to do your research about what kind of mode works best with whatever your plans for the work are. With the right preview, you can catch mistakes early!
Final Thoughts
Now that we have taken a look at how to use the preview modes on Illustrator, you are ready to get started! Now, before you save your files, you can check how they look and if they are ready to go out into the world! We hope this article helped clarify how these systems work and how to use them to your benefit!
