Transforming and Distorting Objects > Transforming objects > Using the Transform panel

 

Using the Transform panel

You can use the Transform panel to apply precise transformations and to display information on transformed objects. When moving, rotating, or scaling an object, the Transform panel displays the move distance, rotation angle, or scale percentage, respectively. The x and y coordinate text boxes indicate the location of an object's center after each transformation. For the procedure to move objects using the Transform panel, see Moving objects.

To transform objects pasted inside a clipping path, tiled fills, or strokes, see the procedures in Transforming objects freely.

Except for moving an object, transformations are applied in relation to a set point on or around the object, called the center point.

To set an object's center point manually:

1

Click the Pointer tool in the Tools panel.

2

Double-click the object. This displays its transformation handles and center point.

3

Drag the center point to the new location.

4

To reset a center point, deselect and then reselect the object, or hold down Shift and click the center point.

To rotate a selected object:

1

Do one of the following:

Double-click the Rotate tool in the Tools panel.

Choose Modify > Transform > Rotate.

Choose Window > Panels > Transform and click the Rotate button in the Transform panel.

2

Choose one or more of the following options:

Select Contents to rotate the contents of a clipping path with the rest of the path.

Select Fills to rotate a Tiled fill with the rest of the object.

3

In the Rotation Angle text box, enter a positive value to rotate the selection counterclockwise around its center. Enter a negative value to rotate the selection clockwise around its center.

4

Enter a value in the Copies text box. A value of 0 rotates only the selected object. Higher values create the specified number of copies, each of which is progressively rotated.

5

Set the object's center manually or by entering values in the X and Y text boxes in the Transform panel.

6

Click the Rotate button.

To scale a selected object:

1

Do one of the following:

Double-click the Scale tool in the Tools panel.

Choose Modify > Transform > Scale.

Choose Window > Panels > Transform and click the Scale button in the Transform panel.

2

Choose one or more of the following options:

Select Contents to scale the contents of a clipping path with the rest of the path.

Select Fills to scale a Tiled fill with the rest of the object.

Select Strokes to scale the object's stroke with the rest of the object.

Note: To transform stroke widths in grouped objects to show perspective, also choose Transform as Unit in the Object inspector (Window > Inspectors > Object).

3

For horizontal scaling, enter a positive value in the X text box to enlarge the selection and a negative value to reduce it.

To adjust horizontal and vertical scaling separately, deselect Uniform.

4

For vertical scaling, enter a positive value in the Y text box to enlarge the selection and a negative value to reduce it.

5

Enter a value in the Copies text box. A value of 0 scales only the selected object. Higher values create the specified number of copies, each of which is progressively scaled.

6

Set the object's center manually or by entering values in the X and Y text boxes in the Transform panel.

7

Click the Scale button.

To skew a selected object:

1

Do one of the following:

Double-click the Skew tool in the Tools panel.

Choose Modify > Transform > Skew.

Choose Window > Panels > Transform and click the Skew button in the Transform panel.

2

Choose one or more of the following options:

Select Contents to skew the contents of a clipping path with the rest of the path.

Select Fills to skew a Tiled fill with the rest of the object.

3

Enter a positive value in the Y text box to skew the selection to the right, and a negative value to skew it to the left.

4

Enter a positive value in the V text box to skew the selection up, and a negative value to skew it down.

5

Enter a value in the Copies text box. A value of 0 skews only the selected object. Higher values create the specified number of copies, each of which is progressively skewed.

6

Set the object's center manually or by entering values in the X and Y text boxes in the Transform panel.

7

Click the Skew button.

To reflect a selected object:

1

Do one of the following:

Double-click the Reflect tool in the Tools panel.

Choose Modify > Transform > Reflect.

Choose Window > Panels > Transform and click the Reflect button in the Transform panel.

2

Choose one or more of the following options:

Select Contents to reflect the contents of a clipping path with the rest of the path.

Select Fills to reflect a Tiled fill with the rest of the object.

3

Enter a value of 0 to 90° in the Reflect Axis text box to flip the selection horizontally. Enter a value of 90º to 180° in the Reflect Axis text box to flip the selection vertically.

4

Enter 0 or 1 in the Copies text box. Entering a higher number will cause multiple copies of the object to be stacked on top of each other.

5

Set the object's center manually or by entering values in the X and Y text boxes in the Transform panel.

6

Click the Reflect button.