types of transformation in one.
Section 2. Transforming with Tools
Using Appropriate Transform Tools
The most popular way of transformation is using appropriate tools from the Tools panel. There are several transformation tools that change different parameters of a selected object. Let's analyze all of them.
The Move Tool (V) is combined with the Selection Tool and presents a familiar black arrow. The easiest way of moving is, actually, moving a selected object manually by dragging it to the desired position. However, oftentimes we need precise positioning when simple dragging doesn't work. In this case we can move the object from the dialog of the chosen tool - in this case, the Move Tool.
Click the tool in the Tools panel twice, and you'll get a dialog where all options can be entered. For the Move tool, it includes either horizontal and vertical move in any units (according to rectangular coordinates), or if you like polar coordinates more, you can enter distance and angle to move the object precisely. You may insert both positive and negative numbers. Also you may want to press the Copy button in the dialog to create a moved object duplicate. The transformation point is not changed here.
The Scale Tool (S) looks like a small rectangle being scaled up. To scale a selected object, simply drag the handles of its bounding box (eight white squares). For horizontal scale, drag horizontally, and for vertical scale, drag vertically. For both, drag the corner handles, and to constrain the proportions press Shift. By default, the central point is the point of transformation, but you can fix it in a different position by simply clicking a place you need before transforming an object.
However, if you need to scale the object precisely, double-click Scale in the Tools panel and enter the needed numbers in the dialog. You can choose wether to insert percent for uniform (proportional) scaling, or enter separate numbers for horizontal and vertical scaling. Again, it is possible to press Copy to duplicate an object while scaling. Oftentimes when you need to scale the object from the dialog, you also want the default transformation point changed. Simply Alt-click where you want the new point to sit, and the dialog will open.
The Rotate Tool (R) is a small circular arrow. To rotate an object, select it and drag it in the needed direction. As the default transformation point is in the object center, it will be rotated around itself. You can assign different reference points by clicking in the needed place prior to rotating. Also you may want to know that holding Shift allows you to rotate on the angles divided by 45, such as: 45, 90, 135, 180, and so on.
Of course, if you need a precise angle, double-click Rotate in the Tools panel and insert a degree in the dialog. Positive numbers rotate counter-clockwise, and negative numbers rotate clockwise. You may press Copy to duplicate an object while rotating. To change the transformation point from the object center to any other place, Alt-click to assign the new point and open the dialog.
The Reflect Tool (O) is a small mirrored triangle hidden under the Rotation Tool. To reflect a selected object, just drag it to the needed direction. The default reference point is in the center, so the object will be reflected around the axis that intersects it's center. To use exact horizontal or vertical axes for mirroring, hold down Shift. To change the transformation point, as usual, click where you want to place it before transforming.
Again, for precise reflection, double-click Reflect in the Tools panel and insert an axis you need in the dialog. Yo can choose Vertical or Horizontal axes for perfect symmetry, or enter a custom angle. To duplicate an object while reflecting, press Copy. To change the transformation point from the object center to any other place, Alt-click to assign the new point and open the dialog at the same time.
The Shear Tool looks like a little slanted rectangle and is hidden under the Scale Tool. To shear a selected object, drag anywhere in the needed direction. The transforma