To effectively turn off what you might be referring to as an "isometric grid" in Adobe Illustrator, especially if it's the commonly used Perspective Grid, you have several straightforward options. While Illustrator doesn't have a dedicated "Isometric Grid" feature, users often utilize the Perspective Grid tool or create custom grids for isometric drawing. This guide will cover how to disable both scenarios.
Disabling the Perspective Grid (Most Common Interpretation)
The Perspective Grid is Illustrator's primary tool for creating objects with a sense of depth and three dimensions. Many users refer to it as an "isometric grid" due to its application in 3D-style artwork. If you see a grid with converging lines or multiple vanishing points, you are likely working with the Perspective Grid.
Here's how to turn it off:
1. Using the Menu Bar
The most direct way to hide the Perspective Grid is through Illustrator's main menu:
- Go to
Viewin the top menu bar. - Navigate to
Perspective Grid. - Select
Hide Grid.
This action will immediately remove the visible Perspective Grid from your artboard. If you ever need to show it again, simply follow the same path and select Show Grid.
2. Utilizing Keyboard Shortcuts
For a quick and efficient workflow, Illustrator offers a convenient keyboard shortcut:
- Press
Shift + Ctrl + I(on Windows). - Press
Shift + Cmd + I(on Mac).
This shortcut acts as a toggle, meaning the first press will hide the Perspective Grid, and pressing it again will make it reappear.
3. Using the Perspective Grid Tool Widget
When the Perspective Grid is active, you'll see a Perspective Grid Widget (a small cube-like icon with an "X") in the top-left corner of your document window.
- Select the Perspective Grid tool from the Tools panel (
Shift + P). - Click the "X" on the Perspective Grid Widget. This will hide the grid.
To make the grid visible again, you'll need to select the Perspective Grid tool (Shift + P) from the Tools panel, which will automatically display it.
Hiding Other Types of Grids Used for Isometric Drawing
If the grid you're seeing isn't the Perspective Grid, it might be a standard Document Grid, Smart Guides, or custom guides/paths you've created.
1. Document Grid
Illustrator's Document Grid is a uniform, two-dimensional grid useful for aligning objects. If you've used this to help with isometric drawing:
- Go to
View. - Select
Hide Grid. - Alternatively, use the shortcut:
Ctrl + '(Windows) orCmd + '(Mac).
2. Guides
For precise isometric layouts, many designers create custom guides. These can be regular guides or specifically angled guides:
- Go to
View. - Navigate to
Guides. - Select
Hide Guides. - Alternatively, use the shortcut:
Ctrl + ;(Windows) orCmd + ;(Mac).
You can also clear all guides permanently by choosing View > Guides > Clear Guides.
3. Smart Guides
While not a grid itself, Smart Guides provide temporary alignment guides and information when moving objects, which can sometimes be perceived as a grid-like assistance. To toggle them:
- Go to
View. - Select
Smart Guides. - Alternatively, use the shortcut:
Ctrl + U(Windows) orCmd + U(Mac).
4. Custom Grids (Paths or Patterns)
Some users create their own isometric grids using lines, shapes, or custom patterns. If your "grid" consists of actual paths on a layer:
- Select and Delete: Use the Selection tool (
V) to select the paths and pressDeleteorBackspace. - Hide Layer: If the custom grid is on its own layer, you can simply click the eye icon next to the layer in the
Layerspanel to hide it.
Quick Reference for Hiding Grids & Guides
For quick access, here's a summary of common methods:
| Grid/Guide Type | Action to Hide | Menu Path | Keyboard Shortcut (Windows/Mac) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perspective Grid | Hide Grid | View > Perspective Grid > Hide Grid |
Shift + Ctrl + I / Shift + Cmd + I |
| Document Grid | Hide Grid | View > Hide Grid |
Ctrl + ' / Cmd + ' |
| Guides | Hide Guides | View > Guides > Hide Guides |
Ctrl + ; / Cmd + ; |
| Smart Guides | Toggle On/Off | View > Smart Guides |
Ctrl + U / Cmd + U |
By understanding the different types of grids and guides available in Illustrator, you can efficiently manage your workspace and hide the specific grid you no longer need.
