Illustrator CS4 Transformation & Distortion

Illustrator C10CS4DPD Blitz Reference

Working with Transformations

Scale and rotate a selected object with Selection tool

• Hold down the Shift key to rotate an object at 45-degree increments
• Reset the bounding box so that it’s straight at the new orientation, choose Object->Transform->Reset Bounding Box
• To return the object to the previous position in Illustrator, enter the negative of the number originally entered to rotate the object

Transforming an object
The Rotate, Reflect, Scale, and Shear tools all use the same basic steps to perform transformations

Arbitrary transformation method

• Freely transform the object until it looks right
• Select an object and then choose a transform tool (the Rotate, Reflect, Scale, or Shear tool)
• Click once on the artboard
• Be careful where to click because the click determines the point of reference, or axis point, for the transformation
• Drag in one smooth movement

Exact transformation methods
Exact transformation method 1: Using the tool’s dialog box [Double-click a transform tool in the toolbox, Type, Preview, Copy]
Exact transformation method 2: Using the reference point [Alt-click for reference point, Type, Preview, Copy]
Exact transformation method 3: Using the Transform menu [Object->Transform menu]
Exact transformation method 4: Using the Transform panel [Window->Transform Panel (Shift+F8)]

Using the Transform tools

The Reflect tool

• Select the Reflect tool (hidden under the Rotate tool) and click the object
• For text, click in the middle of the text’s baseline
• Alt+Shift+drag
• This step not only clones the reflected object or text, but also snaps it to 45-degree angles

The Scale tool

• Select your shape and double-click the Scale tool
• Type a number in the Scale text field (in the Uniform section) and click the Copy button (100%)150% for bigger
• Press Ctrl+D to repeat the transformation
• Leaving the Scale text field at 100% has no effect on the object

The Shear tool

• Use the Shear tool in combination with the Rotate tool to give an object perspective
• The axis will always be the center of the object unless you use method 1 or method 2 from the earlier section, “Exact transformation methods.”

The Reshape tool

• Select just the anchor points on the paths that you want to reshape
• Deselect any points that you want to remain in place
• Select the Reshape tool (hidden under the Scale tool) and position the cursor over the anchor point that you want to modify; click the anchor point
• A highlighted anchor point with a square around it is added to the path
• Shift-click more anchor points or path segments to act as selection points
• Drag the highlighted anchor points to adjust the path

The Free Transform tool
This tool is necessary only when choosing View->Hide Bounding Box but want free transform capabilities

Creating Distortions

The Liquify tools

• A variety of Liquify tools are available by holding down the mouse button on the default selection, the Warp tool
• Warp tool - Molds objects with the movement of the cursor; like pushing through dough with this tool
• Twirl tool - Creates swirling distortions within an object
• Pucker tool - Deflates an object
• Bloat tool - Inflates an object
• Scallop tool - Adds curved details to the outline of an object; think of a seashell with scalloped edges
• Crystallize tool - Adds many spiked details to the outline of an object, such as crystals on a rock
• Wrinkle tool - Adds wrinkle-like details to the outline of an object

Double-click any of the Liquify tools to bring up a dialog box specific to the selected tool

Adjust the diameter and shape of the Liquify tool by holding down the Alt key while dragging the brush shape smaller or larger
Press the Shift key to constrain the shape to a circle

Using the Envelope Distort command

Using the preset warps

• Select the text or object that you want to distort and then choose Object->Envelope Distort->Make with Warp
• Choose a warp style from the Style drop-down list and then specify any other options
• Alternatively choose Effect->Warp
• Can later change or delete the Warp Effect by double-clicking it in the Appearance panel or by dragging the effect to the trash can

Reshaping with a mesh grid

• Using the Select tool, select the text or object to distort then choose Object->Envelope Distort->Make with Mesh
• Specify the number of rows and columns that you want the mesh to contain and then click OK
• Drag any anchor point on the mesh grid with the Direct Selection tool to reshape the object
• To delete anchor points on the mesh grid, select an anchor point with the Direct Selection tool and press the Delete key
• Alternatively use the Mesh tool to edit and delete points when using a mesh grid on objects
• Choose Effect->Distort and Transform->Free Distort to take advantage of the Free Distort dialog box
• Effects can be edited or undone whenever by clicking or deleting the Free Distort effect from the Appearance menu