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Work with documents in Illustrator on the iPad

Learn how to create a new document, open or import an existing document, and save or export a document on Illustrator on the iPad.

To get started with Illustrator on the iPad, create, open or import a cloud document or export a cloud or a local document. All your documents are automatically saved as cloud documents. You can export or publish your documents in a variety of formats.

Create a document

  1. Tap  Create new on the Illustrator Home screen.
  2. In the dialog that appears, do one of the following:
    • Choose a standard document preset from PrintScreen, or Illustration tabs. 
    • Choose a custom preset: In the New file section on the right, specify the artboard size, number of artboards, and other settings. 
       Select Save this size to easily create an artboard of the same size. You can find your saved artboard sizes in the Saved tab for future use. 
  3. Tap Create file.
Create a document
Choose a preset and create a document

1. To quickly create a new document from the Home screen, choose your frequently used preset in the Start something new section. Go to the Your files tab to name it. Your recently used document presets are also available in the Recent tab on the Home screen.

2. All the new documents that you create with Illustrator on the iPad are by default saved as cloud documents.

3. You can quickly open most of your recent documents from the Recent section.

Import or open a document

To open a document, do one of the following on the Home screen:

  • Go to Your files > Creative Cloud documents to open a cloud document.
  • Tap   Import and open to open a document saved on your iPad.
Note:

You can quickly open your most recent documents from the Recent section.

Place a file within Illustrator document

To place a file within your Illustrator document:

  1. Tap   in the toolbar on the left.
  2. Choose one of the following options:
    •   Camera: Capture a photo using the built-in camera and place it directly in your document.
    •   Photos: Place photos saved on your iPad into your document.
    •   Files: Import files that are saved on your iPad into your document.
    •   Creative Cloud: Place linked Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Fresco cloud documents and place them directly in your document.
    •     Your libraries: Place assets from the Creative Cloud Libraries into your document.
Import a document
Place an asset within your Illustrator document

Rename and save a document

Illustrator on the iPad auto-saves your document every three minutes. If your document isn't saved,  the name of the document shows an * asterisk in the title bar. You can save your file manually and rename your file while working on the document.

  1. Tap the name of the document in the title bar and do any of the following:
    • To rename your document, select the name of the document, type the new name, and tap OK
    • To save your document, select Save Now  . The timestamp displays the time at which the document was saved.
Note:

You can also press Cmd + S to save your document.

When you select  in the navigation bar, your document is saved as a cloud document and displayed in the Cloud documents section of the Home screen. If you're not connected to the Internet, your updates are saved locally on the device and get auto-synced as soon as you go online.

Make documents available offline

Go to Home screen > Your files > Cloud documents, tap  below your cloud document thumbnail, and choose Make available offline.

  • The   icon indicates that the document is available offline.
  • The   icon indicates that the document is available only online.

Export a document

To export and publish your Illustrator document in another format, tap    in the navigation bar. Do one of the following:

  • Tap Publish and export
    1. Choose the required file format: AI, PDF, SVG, PNG, PSD.
    2. Tap Export.
  • Tap   Quick export as PNG to quickly export the document as a PNG file. 
  • Tap  Start livestream to showcase your design workflows to inspire others.
Export a document
Export your Illustrator document

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What's next?

We've got you started on how to work with documents in Illustrator on the iPad. Take a step forward and learn how to manage your app settings, workspace basics, and all about touch shortcuts and gestures on the iPad.

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