Looking to give a shape or object more texture and interest? Here’s how to make a dashed line in Illustrator.
Illustrator makes it easy for graphic artists to draw different types of lines for images, illustrations, and custom content. Through the Stroke panel, you can manipulate the lines’ size, direction, and more. Follow these quick instructions to learn how to create a dashed line.
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Video: Dashed Lines in Illustrator
If you prefer to learn by video, here’s a super-quick tutorial covering dashed lines in Illustrator,
How to Make a Dashed Line in Illustrator
Before you start learning how to make a dashed line in Illustrator, you need to draw a shape or line (or open a shape/line you’ve created previously). After you open or draw this element, continue with the following instructions.
Step 1: Open the Stroke Panel
Select the shape by clicking on it and open the Stroke panel by going to Window > Stroke. For a simple and quick dashed line, simply check the Dashed Line box inside the Stroke panel.
Step 2: Customize the Stroke
Within the Stroke panel, you can adjust the look of the dashed line:
- Adjust the width of the stroke through the Weight option.
- Create square, rounded, or mitered joins and corners through the Cap and Corner options.
- Align your stroke to the inside, center, or outside of the shape’s path through the Align Stroke option.
- Make the dashes and/or gaps longer or shorter by entering numbers into the relevant boxes.
- Choose whether you’d like the dashes to maintain their size no matter what, or if you’d prefer the dashes to be automatically shortened or lengthened to meet at the corners.
Because a dashed line is simply a regular stroke, you can make all of Illustrator’s normal stroke edits as well, including adjusting the profile, color, opacity, and so on.
Optional: Select Arrowheads
Dashed lines can also be useful if you want to create an arrow. To do this, simply select your preferred arrowheads from the dropdown menu within the Stroke panel. You can add an arrowhead to one or both ends of your stroke.
Creating Dotted Lines in Illustrator
Want to create a dotted line? Then follow the same instructions above! You’ll simply need to tweak the dash and gap settings until you’ve achieved the look you want; the “correct” settings to create a dotted look will depend on the width of your stroke.
Start by choosing rounded caps and corners and setting the dash width to 0. Then adjust the gap width until you’re pleased with the result.
Cover image via Magnia.
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