 last transformation applied - move, scale, reflect, etc. But sometimes we want to make a series of object copies with a few kinds of transformation applied to each. For example, ten rectangle copies rotated by 10 degrees and scaled down to 90% each. We won't be able to repeat both transformation methods with Command + D to achieve this effect, as rotation and scaling are two separate steps.
But here is a trick - select the object and run it through the Transform Each command, enter all parameters and press Copy - this command combines all four transformation methods still being considered a single step. Now you can transform the object again for as many copies as you need.
Section 4. Important Keys and Shortcuts
Like most graphic programs, Illustrator has plenty of secret shortcuts to make your work easier. Transformation has numerous helpful keys and shortcuts worth memorizing.
Transform Tools Shortcuts
Almost every transform tool has a key. To remind you again, let's remember all of them: Move Tool (V), Scale Tool (S), Rotate Tool (R), Reflect Tool (O), Free Transform Tool (E), and Warp Tools group (Shift + R). Shear and Reshape tools don't have default hot keys, but you can easily assign them shortcuts in Edit > Keyboard shortcuts (Alt + Shift + Command + K).
Transform Helpful Keys
Although we already mentioned this, I think it might be helpful to remind again - while transforming manually with specific tools, you might want to use special modifier keys for changing some parameters. They work almost equally for every transformation tool you use, so remember these simple modifiers, as they will save you time and make the transformation process easier.
Section 5. Transforming with Panel
Besides the transformation tools and menu, there is another way of transforming objects in Illustrator. The entire panel is dedicated to it - Transform panel (Shift + F8). Keep in mind, that the Transform panel works with entire objects or groups of objects, and that here absolute measurements are used, unlike with the transform tools or menu, where we use relative measurements.
The Transform panel has a small proxy that indicates a transformation point. There are nine possible positions - center, fours corners, and four centers of the object bounding box sides. You can choose any of these points for reference, but you can't fix another random transformation point with the Transform panel. The position chosen will indicate the starting point for calculations while transforming with the panel.
To change the position of an object (or move) with the Transform panel, you can insert the needed values in X and Y fields. You can see the numbers in these fields - they show the coordinates of the object's reference point. X indicates the horizontal coordinates of the object (or, more specifically, chosen reference point), while Y shows vertical coordinates in your document. Simply enter new numbers in the appropriate units (measurement units may be changed in Edit > Preferences > Units & Display performance). Keep in mind, that in Adobe Illustrator the origin of coordinates by default is positioned in the bottom-left corner of the document.
To change the size of the object (or scale) with the Transform panel, enter the desired numbers in the W and H fields. W means width of object, and H is it's height. The values in these fields indicate the initial width and height of your object in chosen units (pixels, points, inches, etc.). Enter new numbers to scale the object, or click the chain icon to constrain proportions and enter only one value, as the other one will change proportionally.
To change the angle of an object (or rotate) with the Transform panel, insert the needed angle in the appropriate Rotation field, or select the angle from the drop down menu. The object will be rotated around the point, assigned in the proxy. After rotation, the angle will be changed back to 0 automatically.
To skew an object (or shear) with the Transform panel, choose the angle in the Shear field, or insert the value you need manually. The object will be sheared a