Intro
Hello everyone! Welcome to this weeks Weekly XD! Today we’re going to learn about Artboards and Prototyping! This topic may be posted a little early, but I’m not going to have time to finish typing it the next few days. These were originally two separate topics, but I decided to merge them since they go hand in hand. You’re going to learn what they are, how to use them, tips and tricks, the whole enchilada. Anyways, let’s get started with Artboards!
Creating an Artboard
Well, the first thing to do is obviously creating an Artboard! Select the artboard tool, and drag anywhere with your mouse to create one! Select the Artboard Tool and drag with your mouse to create one.
A few quick notes, once you have created an artboard, you have to put a shape in one to make it fully show up (shown in video). Once you fully create an Artboard, everything else becomes blank background. You have to create another one to fit something else. Moving on!
Guidelines
Guidelines are basically “invisible” lines that show up in XD, but not anywhere else. To create one, simply hover your mouse over one of the Artboard’s edges, and drag your mouse.
Exporting
You can also export Artboards. Simply go to File > Export > All Artboards. This will export all of the Artboards, with a background, to the location of your choice, and the file type of your choice. These are great for exporting .SVG files that you want to send to a client.
Cropping
I use Artboards a lot just to crop things out. I can drag things to the edge, and it won’t show up. Once you have it all exactly how you want it, create a path tracing the edges of the Artboard. Select all of the children of the Artboard, and press copy. Now delete the entire Artboard. On the blank background you should have now, right click, and select paste. Select everything again, and press Control/Command + Shift + M. It should all look exactly like it did in the Artboard!
Prototyping
Prototyping allows you to simulate interactions between buttons and such. Notice if you click the prototype at the top, it may prompt you to create an artboard. This is because you prototype using artboards! I’m going to prototype a shop opening using the Simple Cartoon UI found in this course. Create two Artboards for this, exactly fitting the button you have, and another fitting the menu you want.
Creating a Connection
To prototype, you have to “Connect” two Artboards to make them do things. Do you see the arrow coming off of one of your artboards? You can make that connect to one of your other Artboards. Click on it, and drag it into the other Artboard.
Connection Order
Let’s try creating one more connection. I’m going to use another Simple Cartoon Menu. You’ll need another Artboard for this, to create another one, simply click “Design” at the top of your screen and make any necessary changes.
Outro
Well, thanks so much for reading! I’m leaving it up to you what the next tutorial(s) will be about! I have a plan, but leave a reply and I’ll add it!
