Layout Grid Generator
Script for Adobe Illustrator
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Overview
The Layout Grid Generator is a powerful script designed to streamline the creation of customizable grid layouts within Adobe Illustrator. This tool automates the process of setting up precise and flexible grids, saving time and ensuring consistency in your design projects.
With this script, users can effortlessly define key parameters such as margins, columns, rows, and gutters directly within the selected artboard. The interface is user-friendly, allowing for quick adjustments and real-time previews of the grid structure.
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Whether you're crafting a multi-column print layout, poster design, or a pixel-perfect UI, the Layout Grid Generator ensures your elements align perfectly, resulting in a clean and professional design composition.
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Installation
- Place the script in your Illustrator Scripts folder:
MacOS: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
- Restart Adobe Illustrator to load the script into the File > Scripts menu.
- Go to File > Scripts > Layout Grid Generator to launch the script.
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Using the Script
Upon execution, the Layout Grid Generator dialog box appears with multiple options:
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➊ Select an Artboard
The Select an Artboard section in the Layout Grid Generator script allows users to choose the specific artboard where the grid will be applied. This feature is particularly useful for documents containing multiple artboards, ensuring that grids are generated precisely where needed.
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- Dropdown menu displays a list of available artboards in the document.
- Users can select an artboard to apply the layout grid.
- The active artboard is pre-selected by default.
- Once an artboard is selected, the script zooms in and fits it to the screen.
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➋ Set Margins
The Margins menu in the Layout Grid Generator script allows users to define the spacing between the grid and the edges of the selected artboard.

Users can set the top, bottom, left, and right margins in pixels:
- 2.1 Top Margin (↑)
- 2.2 Bottom Margin (↓)
- 2.3 Left Margin (←)
- 2.4 Right Margin (→)
- 2.5 When the 'Link Margins' checkbox enabled, all margin values are synchronized—changing one value updates all others.
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Individual Margin Inputs:
- When the 'Link Margins' checkbox disabled, each margin can be adjusted independently.
- Input fields allow manual entry for precision.
- Keyboard Up/Down arrow keys adjust values incrementally.
- Shift + Up/Down increases or decreases values in larger steps.
- Click arrow buttons (↑←→↓) for individual margin adjustments when margins are unlinked.
- Click +/– buttons for incrementing/decrementing all margins simultaneously when margins are linked.
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➌ Define Columns
The Columns Panel in the Layout Grid Generator allows users to define the number of columns and the spacing between them within the selected artboard.
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3.1 Number of Columns (Quantity)
- Users can manually enter a specific number of columns or use the slider for quick adjustments.
- The grid automatically divides the available space based on the selected column count.
- Tip: Up and Down Arrow keys adjust values incrementally. Shift + Arrow keys adjust in larger steps.
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3.2 Column Spacing (Gutter)
- Defines the space between columns, preventing elements from touching each other.
- Adjustable using the input field or the slider.
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➍ Define Rows
The Rows Panel in the Layout Grid Generator allows users to define the number of horizontal rows and adjust the spacing between them within the selected artboard.
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4.1 Number of Rows (Quantity)
- Users can manually enter a specific number of rows or use the slider for quick adjustments.
- The grid divides the available space based on the selected row count.
- Tip: Up and Down Arrow keys adjust values incrementally. Shift + Arrow keys adjust in larger steps.
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4.2 Row Spacing (Gutter)
- Defines the vertical spacing between rows, ensuring proper content separation.
- Adjustable using the input field or the slider.
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➎ Applying the Layout Grid
The OK button in the Layout Grid Generator serves as the final confirmation to apply the grid settings to the selected artboard. Once clicked, it executes the following actions:
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Creates a New Layer for the Grid:
- A new “Layout Grid” layer is automatically added to the Layers panel.
- This ensures that the grid does not interfere with existing artwork.
- The layer is locked after the grid is applied to prevent accidental modifications.
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Applies the Grid Layout:
- Generates a structured grid based on the defined margins, columns, rows, and gutters.
- The grid is created as guides for precise alignment.
- After applying the grid, it switches back to the previous layer, so users can continue working seamlessly.
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➏ Additional Tips
To maximize efficiency and precision while using the Layout Grid Generator, here are some essential tips for key functionalities:
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🅰 Toggle Guides Visibility
- Toggles the visibility of all guides in the document.
- Helps temporarily hide the grid for a cleaner view of your artwork.
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Tip: If guides are not appearing, check if the View > Guides > Show Guides option is enabled.
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🅱 Link Margins Checkbox
- When enabled, adjusting one margin (top, bottom, left, or right) automatically updates all four to the same value.
- When disabled, each margin can be adjusted independently.
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Tip: Keep this option checked for symmetrical layouts, and uncheck it when working with asymmetrical designs.
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🅲 Link Gutters Checkbox
- When enabled, the row gutter and column gutter will always have the same value.
- When disabled, column and row gutters can be adjusted separately.
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Tip: Keep gutters linked for uniform spacing, or unlink them when different vertical and horizontal spacing is needed.
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🅳 Cancel Button
- Removes the layout grid without affecting other artwork.
- If you’ve made changes but want to start over, clicking Cancel and re-running the script is the fastest way to reset settings.
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🅴 Open User Guide
- Located in the footer of the dialog box, represented by the ⏼ icon.
- Clicking it opens the official user guide in a web browser.
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☻ Wrap-Up
The Layout Grid Generator is a powerful and efficient tool for creating structured grid layouts in Adobe Illustrator.
By offering customizable margins, columns, rows, and gutters, along with an intuitive user interface, this script simplifies the process of designing typography layouts, web interfaces, posters, and editorial compositions with precision.
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