◆ Illustrator · export

Asset Preparation

Create an export-ready asset set and audit trail for IT: save icons and templates for screens, export at required size…

2heights
2tasks
1roles do it

The same job, four prompts

do it · improve it · decide · become
AExecute — “help me do it”Create an export-ready asset set and audit trail for IT: save icons and templates for screens,…+
Create an export-ready asset set and audit trail for IT: save icons and templates for screens, export at required sizes, include filenames and modification timestamps, and place everything in a single export folder.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.
BImprove — “do it better”Before IT deploys to field tablets, make the asset handoff operational — standardise filenames…+
Before IT deploys to field tablets, make the asset handoff operational — standardise filenames and size variants, provide PNGs with transparent backgrounds and optimized SVGs, include an assets.csv manifest with author, date, and allowed usage, and attach a short change log and versioned export folder.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid
The tool
Export for Screens

Export artboards and selected assets in various formats and sizes for screen use.

  1. 1

    Open your document in Adobe Illustrator.

  2. 2

    Select File > Export > Export for Screens.

    Best practiceUse the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + E (Windows) or Cmd + Opt + E (Mac) to open the dialog quickly.

  3. 3

    In the Export for Screens dialog, select the Artboards tab to export entire artboards.

  4. 4

    Alternatively, select the Assets tab to export specific artwork.

    NoteRight-click selected artwork and choose 'Collect for Export' to add it to the Assets tab.

  5. 5

    Choose which artboards or assets to export.

  6. 6

    Under Formats, select the desired export settings.

    NoteIllustrator runs the export process in the background by default.

  7. 7

    Edit the format settings as needed for each scale or file type.

    CautionEnsure 'Use Artboards' is selected to avoid unexpected pixel offsets in some exports.

  8. 8

    Click Export Artboard or Export Asset to save your files.

For consistent results, expand all strokes and convert live text to outlines before exporting for screens.

Illustrator's 'Export for Screens' can be automated for batch processing of assets and artboards.

Glossary

words on this page
Export for ScreensA feature for quickly exporting assets in various formats and resolutions for web and app use.ExampleYou quickly generate a button icon in multiple sizes and formats for an app.
Export ArtboardTo save the content of a specific artboard as a separate file in a chosen format.ExampleYou export artboard 2 as a JPEG to send a preview of just that page to your client.
Export AssetTo save a selected design element as a separate file for use in other applications or projects.ExampleYou save a logo as a PNG file from your design software to use on a website.
ArtboardsPrintable areas on the canvas that represent individual pages or assets in your document.ExampleYour document has three artboards, one for the front of a business card, one for the back, and one for the logo.
AssetsReusable design elements, such as graphics, text styles, or colors, stored for easy access.ExampleYour company logo, brand colors, and standard fonts are saved as assets for quick use in any design.

The real tasks

1 of them
Create a set of export-ready assets and an audit trail so IT can push approved map icons and templates to field tablets.

Who does this

1 roles
Conservation Scientist

Questions people ask

honest answers

Because you rarely think 'I want the redaction tool'. You think 'I have to share this without leaking the client's details'. Start from the need, and the feature finds you.

Real. Every job here was drawn from what people in real roles were actually seen doing in Illustrator — not a feature checklist.

No. Each page gives you a ready prompt you can paste into an AI assistant, plus the plain steps to do it yourself. Start with either — the goal is the finished job, not the tool.