You can create rounded corners in Adobe Illustrator designs using the Direct Selection tool and the Live Corner Widgets.
Creating rounded corners in Adobe Illustrator is a useful skill for everyday workflow. It allows for more versatility, enables the creation of modern and aesthetically pleasing designs, and can enhance user experiences.
My name is Kerry and in this article, we will provide a detailed step-by-step guide on how to create rounded corners in Adobe Illustrator and explore why designers will want to learn how to do this!
I promise it isn’t hard to do – so let’s get to it!
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Rounded corners can be added to Adobe Illustrator designs by clicking on the Direct Selection tool and moving the Live Corner Widgets on an element to manipulate the sharpness of corners.
- Designers often use rounded corners for a variety of purposes, from elevating a look to creating more balanced designs or graphics for websites.
When to Use Rounded Corners
Rounded corners offer a softer and more approachable appearance to designs. They can enhance the overall visual appeal, make an object or shape more visually pleasing, and even play a significant role in improving the readability and legibility of text elements within a design.
Rounded corners are commonly associated with modern and contemporary design styles.
Plus, if you are designing in the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, rounded corners are often used to create buttons, cards, and other interactive elements. These rounded corners help create a more intuitive and user-friendly experience by reducing sharp edges and creating a sense of familiarity.
How to Create Rounded Corners in Adobe Illustrator
Follow these simple steps to learn how to add rounded corners to your Adobe Illustrator designs:
Step 1: Begin by launching Adobe Illustrator and either creating a new document or opening an existing one.
Step 2: Select the object or shape you want to round the corners of. Use the Selection Tool (V) or the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the object or shape you wish to modify. (This can be a rectangle, square, ellipse, polygon, or any other vector object that is on your canvas.)
Step 3: Next you will want to access the Effect menu that is found at the top of the Adobe Illustrator window. With the desired object selected, click on the Effect button and a dropdown menu will appear. Choose Stylize and then select Round Corners.
This action will open a dialog box that allows you to adjust the corner radius. (And don’t worry if you can’t find it initially. There is always the backup search button!)
Step 4: In the Round Corners dialog box, you can manipulate the corner radius value using the slider or enter a specific value in the input field. Move the slider or input a value until you achieve the desired level of rounding for your object. Instantly, you will see the corners of the selected object transform accordingly.
Step 5: Within the Round Corners dialog box, you have the option to customize additional settings such as previewing the changes, specifying a uniform or individual corner radius, and choosing to round only the outer or inner corners. Experiment with these options to refine your design.
Step 6: Once you are satisfied with the corner radius and any other settings, click the OK button in the Round Corners dialog box. The effect will be applied to your selected object, rounding its corners accordingly.
Step 7: After applying the rounded corners effect, you may find it necessary to fine-tune the result. To do this, you can select the modified object, access the Direct Selection Tool (A), and individually adjust the anchor points or Bezier handles until you achieve the desired shape.
You can also manipulate the corners of an object in your Adobe Illustrator project by using this final step as your base method!
Final Thoughts
Mastering the art of creating rounded corners in Adobe Illustrator is a valuable skill for designers. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, you can easily incorporate rounded corners into your designs and unlock a new level of creativity.
We would love to hear from you! What types of Adobe Illustrator projects do you incorporate rounded corners into? Comment down below with any tips, tricks, feedback, or questions that you might still have about this topic!
