Illustrator® CS5 Bible

Chapter 11. Applying Transformations and Distortions

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Rotating, reflecting, shearing, scaling, and reshaping with tools

• Using the Transform panel

• Creating cool effects with the Liquify tools

• Distorting objects

• Creating distortion effects

• Adding distortions with warps

Illustrator has the capability to transform any object by scaling it, rotating it, reflecting it, shearing it, or reshaping it. In this chapter, you learn how to take advantage of this power by using transformation functions with menus, panels, and certain tools.

In addition to transformations, Illustrator really gets fun when you work with distortions. Distortions are accomplished with a number of different effects, warps, and the amazing Liquify tools.

Adding a Transformation with Tools

Although there are many places to find the transformation functions, the first stop is the transformation tools. The transformation tools in the Tools panel address fundamental functions, such as scaling, rotating, reflecting, shearing, and reshaping. Before you can use any of these tools, however, you must select one or more objects (including paths, points, and segments). The selected paths are the paths that are transformed.

Using the various transformation tools, you can transform selected objects in five ways:

• Click with a transformation tool to set an origin point and then drag from a different location. This is called a manual transformation.

• Click and drag in one motion to transform the object from its center point or last ...