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Using the bounding box


    When you select one or more objects with the selection tool, you see a bounding box around them. With the bounding box, you can move, rotate, duplicate, and scale objects easily by dragging the selection or a handle (one of the hollow squares surrounding the selected objects).

    The bounding box creates a temporary border around the selected object. You see an outline of the selection as you drag it. When you release the mouse button, the object snaps to the current border created by the bounding box, and you see the object's outline move.

    Selected objects before (left) and after (right) scaling using the bounding box
    Selected objects before (left) and after (right) scaling using the bounding box

    If you are working in Pixel Preview mode and want the object to snap to pixels when you drag it, turn off Use Preview Bounds in the General panel of the Preferences dialog box.

    To move, duplicate, or scale objects, use the selection tool  the selection tool .

    Note: You can also move and scale selected objects, as well as perform other transformation actions, using the free transform tool, transformation tools, and the Transform palette. (See Transforming selected objects.)

    TipIf you rotate an object, its bounding box is also rotated. To reorient the bounding box to the page, choose Object > Transform > Reset Bounding Box.

To show or hide the bounding box:

    Choose View > Show Bounding Box or View > Hide Bounding Box.

To move objects with the bounding box:

  1. Select one or more objects using the selection tool.
  2. Drag any part of the selection (but not a handle).

To rotate objects with the bounding box:

  1. Select one or more objects using the selection tool.
  2. Move the pointer near a corner handle so that it changes to a curve with arrows on both ends.
  3. Drag the handle.

To duplicate objects with the bounding box:

  1. Select one or more objects using the selection tool.
  2. Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) the selection (but not a handle).