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project: The free Transform Tool
 
   
 

description: In this tutorial you will learn how to use the Free Transform Tool to alter an object's size, shape, and orientation.

Files: None.

  
   
 
   
  step 1: Draw a rectangle on the Stage and select the Free Transform Tool (Figure A)
   
  A
   
  step 2: Click on your rectangle and the Free Transform handles appear. (Figures B, C)
   
  B    C
   
  step 3: Grab the top center handle and drag upwards (Figure D) and you may have noticed that the stroke didn't transform. (Figure E)
   
  D    E
   
  step 4: Edit > Undo (Command-Z) and try again but this time click and drag around your rectangle (Figure F) and notice that you've successfully selected the fill and stroke. (Figure G)
   
  F   G  
   
  •Note: Double-Clicking on the object will also select both the fill and stroke.
   
  step 5: Position the cursor near a corner (not on it) and it changes into the rotation indicator. (Figure H) Click and drag to rotate (Figure I) then release the mouse. (Figure J)
   
  H    I    J
   
  step 6: Position the cursor between handles and it changes into the skew indicator. Click and drag to skew your object. (Figures K, L)
   
  K    L
   
  step 7: The Command, Option, and Shift keys are transform modifiers. Experiment to discover how these keys work. (Figure M)
   
  M
   
  •Tip: Try holding down more than one modifier key at once for even more transformational options.
   
  step 8: Depending on the situaltion, you can often achieve more control using the Transform (Command-T) (Figure N) and Info (Command-I) Panels. (Figure O)
   
 

N

O

   
  •Note: If you're not a shortcut junkie like me, you can find those panels by navigating to Window > Transform and Window > Info.
   
  step 9: The Free Transform Tool also has some options you might want to explore, including one we're going to look at in the next tutorial. (Figure P)
   
  P
   
  step 10: Proceed to the Envelope Modifier tutorial.
   
   
   
 
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