Transforming and Distorting Objects > Transforming objects > Transforming objects freely

 

Transforming objects freely

You can use transformation handles to freely transform objects, including text blocks, and to combine a series of transformations. You can also use the transformation handles to transform an object within a group or a paste inside, or to transform a point within a selected path.

If transformation handles don't appear when you double-click an object, you can display them using Preferences.

To display transformation handles:

1

Choose Edit > Preferences. Click General.

2

Select Double-Click Enables Transform Handles and click OK.

To transform freely:

1

Select the Pointer tool.

2

Double-click the object you want to transform.

If the object is selected, you can also choose Modify > Transform > Activate Handles. To disable the transformation handles, double-click away from the selection.

Eight transformation handles appear around the selection and a double-circle appears at the selection's center point.

Moving the Pointer tool over and around the selection changes the cursor to indicate which transformation function is available.

3

Drag the handles to transform the selection, as follows:

To move the selection, position the pointer over the object within the selection rectangle, and drag the object to a new position. Do not drag the center point.

To set the center of rotation, drag the center point to a new location.

To rotate the selection, position the pointer just outside a transformation handle and drag.

Shift-drag to rotate in 45° increments.

To scale the selection, position the pointer on a transformation handle, and drag.

Shift-drag to resize proportionally.

To skew the selection, position the pointer on the dotted outline between the transformation handles and drag.

Shift-drag to constrain the skew horizontally or vertically.

4

To copy the selection as you transform it, click and hold a handle, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) and drag the handle. A plus (+) sign next to the cursor indicates copying.

To transform an object within a group or inside a clipping path:

1

Click the Pointer tool.

2

Double-click the group or clipping path to activate the transformation handles, and drag to transform it.

3

Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) to subselect the object you want to transform. The object's transformation handles will be activated.

4

Press Tilde (~) to superselect objects in the group or clipping path without moving the center point.

To transform selected points within a path:

1

Double-click a point to activate transformation handles for the entire selection, and drag to transform it.

2

Press Tilde (~) to activate transformation handles for the entire path without moving the center point.