Creating hyperlinks in Adobe Illustrator files can be a useful way to add interactivity to your designs. Whether you are designing a digital brochure, a presentation, or a website prototype, adding clickable links can enhance the user experience and make your designs more engaging. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a link in an AI file.
1. Understanding the Types of Links
Before you start creating links in Adobe Illustrator, it’s essential to understand the two main types of links you can add: external hyperlinks and internal hyperlinks. An external hyperlink directs the user to a website, email address, or a specific file on the computer. In contrast, an internal hyperlink takes the user to a different page within the same document.
2. Creating External Hyperlinks
To create an external hyperlink in Adobe Illustrator, you can follow these steps:
a. Select the object (text, shape, or image) that you want to turn into a hyperlink.
b. Then, go to “Window” > “Interactive” > “Hyperlinks” to open the Hyperlinks panel.
c. In the Hyperlinks panel, click on the “New Hyperlink” button, or use the “Create New” option from the panel menu.
d. In the URL field, enter the web address or email address you want to link to.
e. Apply the attributes such as the appearance of the hyperlink and choose whether to have it open in a new window.
3. Creating Internal Hyperlinks
If you want to create an internal hyperlink that allows users to navigate within the same document, the process is slightly different:
a. Place the objects (such as buttons or areas of the design) on different artboards or pages within the Illustrator document.
b. In the Hyperlinks panel, click “New Hyperlink” and choose the “Type” as “Jump To” in the dialog box.
c. From the “Destination” dropdown, select the specific artboard or page you want the hyperlink to jump to.
d. You can also add additional options such as specifying an In and Out point on the destination artboard.
4. Testing the Hyperlinks
Once you have added the hyperlinks, it’s crucial to test them to ensure they work as expected. To do this, you can use the “Preview” option in Illustrator to simulate the user experience and test the functionality of the hyperlinks.
In conclusion, creating links in Adobe Illustrator is a straightforward process that can add valuable interactivity to your designs. Whether you’re designing for the web, presentations, or interactive prototypes, adding hyperlinks can enhance the user experience and provide a seamless navigation experience. So next time you’re working on an AI file, consider incorporating hyperlinks to make your designs more engaging and interactive.
