9.2 Transforming Objects and Arranging Objects on a Path

9.2 Transforming Objects and Arranging Objects on a Path

Quick Summary: Objective 5.1.b asks you to rotate, flip, scale, skew, warp, distort, and repeat objects using tools or menu options, including scale options, bounding boxes, and reference points. Objective 5.4.b asks you to align objects to a path with the Objects on Path tool.

Bounding Box and Reference Points

• The Selection tool shows a bounding box with eight handles. Drag a handle to scale, hold Shift to keep proportions, and hold Alt/Option to scale from the center. View > Show/Hide Bounding Box (Shift+Cmd/Ctrl+B) toggles it.
• After rotating, Object > Transform > Reset Bounding Box squares the box to the page again.
• The reference point locator, a nine-point grid in the Transform, Properties, and Control panels, sets the point that stays fixed during numeric transformations. The X and Y fields report the location of that point.

The Transform Panel (Window > Transform, Shift+F8)

The Transform panel shows X, Y, W, and H; a link icon that constrains width and height; Rotate and Shear angles; and, for live shapes, properties such as corner radii. Its checkboxes for Scale Corners and Scale Strokes & Effects control what scales with the object, and its menu includes Flip Horizontal, Flip Vertical, and whether transformations apply to the object, the pattern, or both.

Worked example: To make a selected logo exactly 3 in wide without distortion, turn on the constrain link, set the reference point to center, and type 3 in in the W field. The height updates proportionally, and the logo stays centered on its original position.

Transformation Tools

Double-clicking the Rotate, Reflect, Scale, or Shear tool opens its dialog with the object's center as the origin. Every dialog has a Copy button that transforms a duplicate and leaves the original in place, and options to transform objects, patterns, or both.

Repeating a Transformation

Object > Transform > Transform Again (Cmd/Ctrl+D) repeats the last transformation.

Worked example—clock face ticks: Select one tick mark, choose the Rotate tool, and Alt/Option-click the clock's center. Enter 30° and click Copy. You now have 2 ticks. Press Cmd/Ctrl+D ten more times to reach 12 ticks, because 360° ÷ 30° = 12.

Transform Each

Object > Transform > Transform Each (Option+Shift+Cmd+D / Alt+Shift+Ctrl+D) applies scale, move, rotate, and reflect settings to each selected object around its own reference point rather than around the selection's combined center. A Random option varies the values for an organic look. Example: rotate 20 scattered squares by 45° each so every square spins in place.

Object > Transform > Move (Shift+Cmd/Ctrl+M) moves a selection by an exact horizontal and vertical distance or by distance and angle, also with a Copy button.

Distortion Options

• Free Transform tool widgets: Perspective Distort drags one corner to create perspective; Free Distort moves corners independently.
• Envelope Distort: Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Warp (Option+Shift+Cmd+W / Alt+Shift+Ctrl+W) bends artwork with presets such as Arc or Flag; Make with Mesh (Option+Cmd+M / Alt+Ctrl+M) uses a grid; Make with Top Object (Option+Cmd+C / Alt+Ctrl+C) fits artwork into the shape on top. Use Edit Contents to change the art, and Expand to make the distortion permanent.
• Effect > Distort & Transform applies live, editable versions of Transform, Free Distort, Pucker & Bloat, Roughen, Twist, and Zig Zag.

Repeat objects—Radial, Grid, and Mirror—are another form of live transformation covered in Chapter 10.

Objects on Path (Objective 5.4.b)

The Objects on Path tool attaches several objects to a straight or curved path and keeps them aligned while you rearrange them.

1. Select the objects to attach with the Selection tool.
2. Choose the Objects on Path tool. If it is not in the toolbar, open Edit Toolbar and find it in the Modify section.
3. Click the target path. The objects attach and align to it, forming an Objects on Path group. One of the selected objects can serve as the path.

Unlike Type on a Path, the path stays visible after objects are attached.

Adjusting the Arrangement

• Space widget — adjusts spacing and distribution, showing a measurement as you drag
• Move All widget — slides all objects along the path
• Rotate All widget or the Rotate menu — rotates every object
• Pivot — one of nine points in the Objects on Path Options section of the Properties panel that sets where each object attaches
• Select/Move widget — selects one object so you can move it along the path or Detach it

These changes apply to all objects in the group. Editing the path reshapes the arrangement automatically. To attach more objects, drag them into the group in the Layers panel, or Alt/Option-drag an attached object to create a copy that attaches to the end of the path.

Objects on Path vs. Other Alignment Methods