Gray background in Illustrator

Question

Hello,

I'm reaching out with a question about Illustrator.
In Illustrator CC 2015, I don't have a gray background (as is the case in Photoshop). My elements (or panels) are independent elements instead of being a cohesive whole, and this is a problem for me.

I would like to set this gray background and link all the elements so that I can, for example, move the window all at once. I haven't found anything online explaining this (maybe because I don't know the exact terms).

Any solution?

Thanks in advance!

-L0Lock- · Answer

Hello. If by gray background you mean changing the white of the "sheet" to gray: you can't.
However, you can cover the entire surface of the sheet with a rectangle that you color as you wish.
As for linking elements together, you can simply select them and group them (Ctrl G), or use the pathfinder (but be careful, it modifies the elements to create one single one).

--
quack quack quack

Nehel · Answer

Hello

I don't understand the question in the same way as LOLock, so I'm giving my version

In Illustrator CC 2015, I don't have a gray background (as is the case in Photoshop)

Well, yes:

I would like to set this gray background and link all the elements

It may be that your background and panels are not anchored
In that case, just anchor them to move everything at once

To anchor, bring the element close to where it should be anchored and release the click when a blue bar appears:

It's the same for the panels
And just like in Photoshop!
:)

MrPok · Answer

Thank you for your responses, and indeed, I was referring to the background of the software and not the workspace.

I just tested it, and it's not working for me. The blue bar doesn't appear, I can't link an open sheet, nor can I even connect my tool palette, for example.

Moreover, I believe I understand that the gray background of the software only appears if I have a document open... Ideally, what I would like is for it to be present even if I don't have a document open, as is the case in Photoshop.

Thank you for your reply anyway :)

Nehel · Answer

I believe I understand that the gray background of the software only appears if I have a document open... Ideally, what I would like is for it to be present even if I don't have an open document, as is the case in Photoshop.

Let's be clear: Illustrator is not Photoshop and vice versa, even if they are (falsely) twins.

In Illustrator, you have 3 different backgrounds:
- the software background: you can modify it in the preferences → user interface → brightness: in the dropdown you have the choice between 4 shades.

- the artboard background: anchored, it adapts to the software background; unanchored, you size it by dragging the sides and corners. You can set it to white in the same preferences window as before.

- the artboard: you determine the number, dimensions, etc., by opening a new document, but this is not the background of your creation, it is just a support.
To create a background for your work, you need to create a shape above the artboard.

The blue bar does not appear; I cannot link an open sheet or even my tool palette, for example.

Example for the tool bar:
unanchored:

anchored:

If you can't do that, it means there's a problem with your software, and I can't do anything for you.

edit: By clicking on the essentials in the control bar, you should have a normal interface, tool box and anchored panels. Is that the case? Or not?

MrPok · Answer

Thank you again Nehel for your quick response, but it still doesn't really solve my problem ^^

I'm attaching two images to illustrate my point:

Resetting the essentials doesn't give me that gray background.
Maybe it's just not possible from the CC version...

MrPok · Answer

Yes, the girl is my wallpaper.

That's exactly it :)
It's a real problem for me because, on one hand, it's not very pleasant, and on the other hand, I can't use my Illustrator on my second screen. Since the elements are not linked, I have to move the elements one by one if I want to switch to another screen.

Sorry if my question wasn't clear :p

Gray background in Illustrator

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