Locking and unlocking artboards in Photoshop is a fundamental skill for managing your design workspace and preventing accidental modifications. By locking artboards, you can ensure that they remain in their current position and size, while still allowing you to work on other aspects of your design.

Locking Artboards

To lock an artboard in Photoshop, follow these steps:

1. Select the Artboard: Click on the artboard you want to lock.
2. Right-click: Right-click on the selected artboard.
3. Select Lock: From the context menu, choose “Lock.”

Once an artboard is locked, it will display a padlock icon and will no longer be editable by default. To unlock it, simply repeat the process and choose “Unlock” from the context menu.

Unlocking Artboards

To unlock an artboard in Photoshop, follow these steps:

1. Select the Artboard: Click on the artboard you want to unlock.
2. Right-click: Right-click on the selected artboard.
3. Select Unlock: From the context menu, choose “Unlock.”

Once an artboard is unlocked, it will no longer display a padlock icon and will be editable as usual.

Purpose of Locking Artboards

Locking artboards in Photoshop serves several purposes:

1. Prevent Accidental Modification: Prevents accidental changes to the artboard’s position or size, ensuring the integrity of your design layout.
2. Focus on Specific Elements: Allows you to focus on specific elements within the artboard without encountering unwanted modifications to other areas.
3. Preserve Templates: Protects templates from accidental changes when used as a base for other artboards.
4. Maintain Consistent Layout: Ensures that artboards remain in their intended positions during collaborative editing sessions.

By understanding the benefits of locking artboards, you can effectively manage your design workspace and maintain a controlled environment for creating and refining your designs.