Create a pic collage with Illustrator 2021
Step 1 – create a new project – this example – 1920 x 1080 pixels (youtube thumbnail size)
Step 2 – Create a rectangle to fill the canvas
Step 3 – Select the fill colour for this rectangle – I have chosen light green
Step 4 – Select Object — Path — Split Into Grid (if you can’t do it – make sure you are selected on the fill layer). Select 4 Rows and 4 Columns
Step 5 – Click on the Rows – Make sure gutter is set to about 25px. Click on Columns – Select the same 25 px gutter.
Step 6 – Click on Layers – Layer 1 – and click on the triangle / chevron – you will see new shapes (paths). That’s what we’re going for.
Step 7 – Deselect any layer by clicking V for the selection tool and pressing left click off canvas.
Step 8 – Select the shapes you want to use for the photo collage. I have selected the four middle shapes. Note that I would select other ones and make this a bit fancier, but I’m interested in teaching the technique.
Step 9 – You will see what shapes you have selected by noticing the “blue dots” beside the layers you’ve selected. Hit Command – G or Control G – to group them. You can also go to “object — Group”
Step 10 – Before we drop an image of my extremely handsome dog Kingston over the shape – we need to make a compound path. Go to Object — Compound Path — Make. You will see a compound path under your layers.
Step 11 – Make sure you have selected “compound path” – isn’t selected by default. Click on the “Draw Inside” icon on the left.
Step 12 – Click on “File — Place — Select the photo you want to use.
Step 13 – You can draw out the image – note you can adjust the size and scale both now and after you place it (if you change your mind).