Select the Objects on Path group on the canvas using the Selection tool.
Last updated on
Oct 25, 2026
Learn how to adjust the rotation, spacing, attachment point, and order of objects already attached to a path, without losing their alignment in Adobe Illustrator.
After you attach objects to a path, use these techniques to adjust their rotation, spacing, attachment point, and order. Changes you make with the widgets and the Properties panel apply to the whole group, not to individual objects. You can attach and align objects to a path for first time use.
The Objects on Path group adds four widgets to the canvas:
- Rotate All: Adjusts orientation
- Space: Controls distribution
- Move All: Shifts the group along the path
- Select/Move: Appears at each object's attachment point so you can reorder or detach it.
Rotate objects on the path
Drag the Rotate All widget to rotate the objects at their attachment points. Press Shift while dragging to rotate in 15-degree increments.
For precise rotation, enter an angle in the Rotate dropdown menu in the Objects on Path Options section of the Properties panel.
The rotation angle in the Properties panel shows how much each object tilts from an imaginary line perpendicular to the path at its attachment point.
Change the attachment point
Select the Objects on Path group.
In the Objects on Path Options section of the Properties panel, select one of the nine points in Pivot to reposition where objects attach to the path.
Adjust spacing and distribution
Select the Objects on Path group on the canvas.
Drag the Space widget on the bounding box to adjust spacing. The first object stays anchored while the others move toward or away from it.
Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) while dragging the Space widget to adjust spacing from both ends toward the center.
Measurements appear next to the widget as you drag, so you can space objects precisely.
Move all objects along the path
Select the Objects on Path group on the canvas.
Drag the Move All widget on the first object to shift all objects together along the path.
Move All works on an open path only when the objects' distribution is shorter than the path's length.
Shuffle object order on the path
Select the Objects on Path group on the canvas.
Hover over the attachment point of the object you want to move until the Select/Move widget appears.
Drag the widget to the object whose position you want it to take, and then release. Objects ahead or behind it shift up or down the path.
Reordering objects in the Layers panel doesn't change their order on the path.
Detach a single object
Select the Objects on Path group on the canvas.
Hover over the object's attachment point, and then select the Select/Move widget until it turns solid blue.
Select Detach in the Objects on Path Options section of the Properties panel.
Drag the detached object away from the group.
To detach multiple objects at once, Shift-select them in the Layers panel, and then drag them out of the Objects on Path group.
When you detach an object, the remaining objects rearrange automatically:
- Objects that follow the detached one move up in order.
- If you haven't adjusted the default spacing, Illustrator keeps the original distribution but changes the spacing.
- If you've adjusted the spacing, Illustrator keeps that spacing but changes the distribution.
- On an open path with at least two objects, the origin and endpoint stay occupied.
Attach more objects to the path
In the Layers panel, drag objects into the Objects on Path group. They attach automatically to the end of the path.
To attach objects in isolation mode:
Copy the objects you want to attach.
Double-click the Objects on Path group on the canvas to enter isolation mode, and then paste. The objects attach automatically to the end of the path.
Objects you create directly in isolation mode attach automatically as well.
Create copies of the attached objects
In the Layers panel, select the object in the Objects on Path group.
On the canvas, press Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) and then drag the object to create a copy. The copy attaches automatically to the end of the path.
Copies you create with Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + C and Command + V (macOS) attach automatically only in isolation mode.
Modify objects and the path
You can modify the path and its attached objects by selecting them in the Layers panel or in isolation mode. When you change the path's shape, the objects realign and rearrange automatically.
Tool compatibility depends on the mode:
- Eraser, Path Eraser, Scissors, and Knife tools work in both regular and isolation modes, but convert the Objects on Path group into a regular group.
- Shape Builder, Blend, and Live Paint Bucket tools work only in isolation mode.
- Perspective Grid and Perspective Selection tools don't work in either mode.
Expand the Objects on Path group
Select the Objects on Path group on the canvas.
Select Object > Objects on Path > Expand to convert the group into a regular group.
Expanding the group removes the automatic alignment features and lets you edit each object independently.
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