A method of making an abrasive article, the method comprising steps: a) providing a positioning tool having a working surface with cavities formed therein, wherein the cavities are arranged on the working surface according to a pattern and orientation; b) making an abrasive preform comprising shaped abrasive particles adhered to a first reinforcing member having opposed front and back surfaces (132, 134), and wherein the abrasive preform is made by a method comprising: i) disposing the shaped abrasive particles in at least some of the cavities of the positioning tool; ii) transferring the shaped abrasive particles to the first reinforcing member such that shaped abrasive particles are disposed proximate to the front surface of the first reinforcing member according to the pattern of the cavities; iii) adhering the transferred shaped abrasive particles to the front surface of the first reinforcing member; and iv) depositing a space-filling binder precursor on the first reinforcing member and transferred shaped abrasive particles such that space between the shaped abrasive particles is at least partially filled with the space-filling binder precursor; c) disposing a second reinforcing member on the abrasive preform wherein the front surface of the first reinforcing member faces said second reinforcing member to provide an abrasive article precursor; and d) compressing and curing the abrasive article precursor to form the abrasive article. a) providing a positioning tool having a working surface with cavities formed therein, wherein the cavities are arranged on the working surface according to a pattern and orientation; b) making an abrasive preform comprising shaped abrasive particles adhered to a first reinforcing member having opposed front and back surfaces (132, 134), and wherein the abrasive preform is made by a method comprising: i) disposing the shaped abrasive particles in at least some of the cavities of the positioning tool; ii) transferring the shaped abrasive particles to the first reinforcing member such that shaped abrasive particles are disposed proximate to the front surface of the first reinforcing member according to the pattern of the cavities; iii) adhering the transferred shaped abrasive particles to the front surface of the first reinforcing member; and iv) depositing a space-filling binder precursor on the first reinforcing member and transferred shaped abrasive particles such that space between the shaped abrasive particles is at least partially filled with the space-filling binder precursor; i) disposing the shaped abrasive particles in at least some of the cavities of the positioning tool; ii) transferring the shaped abrasive particles to the first reinforcing member such that shaped abrasive particles are disposed proximate to the front surface of the first reinforcing member according to the pattern of the cavities; iii) adhering the transferred shaped abrasive particles to the front surface of the first reinforcing member; and iv) depositing a space-filling binder precursor on the first reinforcing member and transferred shaped abrasive particles such that space between the shaped abrasive particles is at least partially filled with the space-filling binder precursor; c) disposing a second reinforcing member on the abrasive preform wherein the front surface of the first reinforcing member faces said second reinforcing member to provide an abrasive article precursor; and d) compressing and curing the abrasive article precursor to form the abrasive article.