Transform objects freely

You can perform individual transformations or combine several transformations, such as moving, rotating, scaling, skewing, and distortion.

Note: The Free Transform tool cannot transform symbols, bitmaps, video objects, sounds, gradients, or text. If a multiple selection contains any of these items, only the shape objects are distorted. To transform a text block, first convert the characters to shape objects.

Select a graphic object, group, instance, or text block on the Stage.
Click the Free Transform tool .
Moving the pointer over and around the selection changes the pointer to indicate which transformation function is available.
To transform the selection, drag the handles:
- To move the selection, position the pointer over the object within the bounding box, and drag the object to a new position. Do not drag the transformation point.
- To set the center of rotation or scaling, drag the transformation point to a new location.
- To rotate the selection, position the pointer just outside a corner handle and drag. The selection rotates around the transformation point. Shift-drag to rotate in 45° increments.
- To rotate around the opposite corner, Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Macintosh).
- To scale the selection, drag a corner handle diagonally to scale in two dimensions. Shift-drag to resize proportionally.
- To scale in the respective direction only, drag a corner handle or a side handle horizontally or vertically.
- To skew the selection, position the pointer on the outline between the transformation handles and drag.
- To distort shapes, press Control (Windows) or Command (Macintosh) and drag a corner handle or a side handle.
- To taper the object—to move the selected corner and the adjoining corner equal distances from their origins, shift-Control-click to drag (Windows) or Shift-Command-click to drag (Macintosh) a corner handle.
To end the transformation, click outside the selected item.

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