Scaling with the Free Transform tool


    The Free Transform tool lets you drag a bounding box handle to scale an object. Objects scale relative to the opposite handle, or you can change the reference point to the object's center. You can also lock the proportions of an object as you scale it.

    If the object has a stroked path or a size-related effect, the stroke and effect will scale with the object if the Scale Strokes & Effects preference is selected. (See Setting scaling preferences.)

    The Free Transform tool also lets you shear, distort, or rotate an object. (See Shearing with the Free Transform tool, Distorting objects with the Free Transform tool, and Rotating objects.)

To scale an object with the Free Transform tool:

  1. Select the object.
  2. Select the Free Transform tool Free Transform tool .
  3. Drag a bounding box handle until the object is the desired size. Do any of the following to control the scaling behavior:
    • To maintain the object's proportions, hold down Shift as you drag a corner handle.
    • To scale relative to the object's center point, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) as you drag.