Option
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how to use the Transform panel to adjust object size, position, rotation, scaling, and pattern behavior.
The Transform panel in Illustrator allows you to move, scale, rotate, and shear objects using custom numeric values. You can modify an object’s size, position, angle, and pattern fill, change the transformation reference point, and lock the object’s proportions.
A. X Value B. W Value C. Panel menu D. Constrain Width and Height Proportions E. Shear F. Scaling settings G. Rotate H. Y Value I. Reference Point
Transform panel features
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Icon/Label |
Function |
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Reference Point |
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Allows you to select an origin point from a 3 × 3 grid to apply transformations relative to a specific anchor of the object. |
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X Value |
X |
Displays the object’s horizontal position relative to the artboard or reference point. |
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Y Value |
Y |
Displays the object’s vertical position relative to the artboard or reference point. |
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W Value |
W |
Allows precise control over the object’s width. |
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H Value |
H |
Allows precise control over the object’s height. |
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Rotate |
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Rotates the object around the selected reference point by a specified angle in degrees. |
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Shear |
Slants the object along the X or Y axis. Useful for creating italic or oblique effects. |
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Constrain Width and Height Proportions |
Locks the proportions so that the width and height scale together. Useful when resizing objects uniformly without distorting their shape, such as keeping a circle from becoming an oval during transformation. |
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Shape properties |
Displays editable properties when a shape is selected. If a path is selected, this column remains blank. |
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Scale Corners |
Checkbox |
Ensures that the corners of a shape scale proportionately to the object when it’s resized. Without this enabled, corners may retain their original radius or style, resulting in inconsistency, especially when scaling complex shapes. |
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Scale Strokes & Effects |
Checkbox |
Controls whether an object’s stroke widths and applied effects scale proportionally when the object is resized. |
Note
You can manually modify the X, Y, W, and H values to resize and reposition objects.
Transform panel menu features
The Transform panel menu gives additional options for scaling and managing objects, patterns, strokes, and symbols during transformations.
Option | Function |
Show Options or Hide Options | Toggles the visibility of scaling settings. |
Show on Shape Creations | Opens the Transform panel automatically when you draw new shapes. |
Flip Horizontally | Mirrors the object along the vertical axis based on the reference point. |
Flip Vertically | Mirrors the object along the horizontal axis based on the reference point. |
Scale Strokes & Effects | Controls whether an object’s stroke widths and applied effects scale proportionally when the object is resized. This option is also available in the scaling settings of the Transform panel. |
Transform Object Only | Applies transformations to the object but leaves its pattern fill unchanged. |
Transform Pattern Only | Applies transformations only to the pattern fill, not the object itself. |
Transform Both | Applies transformations to both the object and its pattern fill. |
Use Registration Point for Symbol | Enables transformations for symbol instances to use their defined Registration point instead of the default Reference Point. |
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