Distort artwork using the Free Transform tool

Illustrator

Illustrator

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  • Illustrator User Guide
  • Get to know Illustrator
      1. What's new in Illustrator
      2. Common questions
      3. Illustrator system requirements
      4. Illustrator for Apple silicon
      5. GPU performance
      1. Workspace basics
      2. Create documents
      3. Learn faster with the Illustrator Discover panel
      4. Accelerate workflows using the Contextual Task Bar
      5. Toolbar
      6. Default keyboard shortcuts
      7. Customize keyboard shortcuts
      8. Introduction to artboards
      9. Manage artboards
      10. Customize the workspace
      11. Properties panel
      12. Set preferences
      13. Touch Workspace
      14. Microsoft Surface Dial support in Illustrator
      15. Undo edits and manage design history
      16. Rotate view
      17. Rulers, grids, and guides
      18. Accessibility in Illustrator
      19. View artwork
      20. Use the Touch Bar with Illustrator
      21. Files and templates
    3. Tools in Illustrator
      1. Tools at a glance
        1. Selection
        2. Direct Selection
        3. Group Selection
        4. Magic Wand
        5. Lasso
        6. Artboard
        1. Hand
        2. Rotate View
        3. Zoom
        1. Gradient
        2. Mesh
        3. Shape Builder
        1. Type
        2. Type on a Path
        3. Vertical Type
        1. Pen
        2. Add Anchor Point
        3. Delete Anchor Point
        4. Anchor Point
        5. Curvature
        6. Line Segment
        7. Rectangle
        8. Rounded Rectangle
        9. Ellipse
        10. Polygon
        11. Star
        12. Paintbrush
        13. Blob Brush
        14. Pencil
        15. Shaper
        16. Slice
      7. Modify tools
        1. Rotate
        2. Reflect
        3. Scale
        4. Shear
        5. Width
        6. Free Transform
        7. Eyedropper
        8. Blend
        9. Eraser
        10. Scissors
        11. Dimension
      1. Generate scenes, subjects, and icons using text prompts
      2. Generate vector patterns using text prompts
      3. Generate vector shape fills using text prompts
      4. Recolor your artwork using text prompts
      1. Retro text
      2. Neon glow text
      3. Old school text
      4. Recolor
      5. Convert sketch to vector
      1. Illustrator on the iPad overview
      2. Illustrator on the iPad FAQs
      3. System requirements | Illustrator on the iPad
      4. What you can or cannot do on Illustrator on the iPad
      1. Illustrator on the iPad workspace
      2. Touch shortcuts and gestures
      3. Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the iPad
      4. Manage your app settings
      1. Work with documents in Illustrator on the iPad
      2. Import Photoshop and Fresco documents
      1. Create repeat objects
      2. Blend objects
      1. Draw and edit paths
      2. Draw and edit shapes
      1. Work with type and fonts
      2. Create text designs along a path
      3. Add your own fonts
      1. Vectorize raster images
      1. Apply colors and gradients
      1. Work with Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Share and collaborate on Illustrator cloud documents
      3. Share documents for review
      4. Upgrade cloud storage for Adobe Illustrator
      5. Illustrator cloud documents | Common questions
      1. Troubleshoot create or save issues for Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Troubleshoot Illustrator cloud documents issues
      1. Drawing basics
      2. Edit paths
      3. Draw pixel-perfect art
      4. Draw with the Pen, Curvature, or Pencil tool
      5. Draw simple lines and shapes
      6. Draw rectangular and polar grids
      7. Draw and edit flares
      8. Trace images
      9. Simplify a path
      10. Symbolism tools and symbol sets
      11. Adjust path segments
      12. Design a flower in 5 easy steps
      13. Create and edit a perspective grid
      14. Draw and modify objects on a perspective grid
      15. Use objects as symbols for repeat use
      16. Draw pixel-aligned paths for web workflows
      1. Measure distance and area
      2. Measure and plot dimensions
      1. About 3D effects in Illustrator
      2. Create 3D graphics
      3. Map artwork over 3D objects
      4. Create 3D Text
      5. Create 3D objects
      1. About color
      2. Select colors
      3. Use and create swatches
      4. Adjust colors
      5. Use the Adobe Color Themes panel
      6. Color groups (harmonies)
      7. Color Themes panel
      8. Recolor your artwork
      1. About painting
      2. Paint with fills and strokes
      3. Live Paint groups
      4. Gradients
      5. Brushes
      6. Transparency and blending modes
      7. Apply stroke on an object
      8. Create and edit patterns
      9. Meshes
      10. Patterns
      1. Select objects
      2. Layers
      3. Expand, group, and ungroup objects
      4. Move, align, and distribute objects
      5. Align, arrange, and move objects on a path
      6. Snap objects to glyph
      7. Snap objects to Japanese glyph
      8. Stack objects    
      9. Lock, hide, and delete objects
      10. Copy and duplicate objects
      11. Rotate and reflect objects
      12. Intertwine objects
      13. Create realistic mockups
      1. Crop images
      2. Transform objects
      3. Combine objects
      4. Cut, divide, and trim objects
      5. Puppet Warp
      6. Scale, shear, and distort objects
      7. Blend objects
      8. Reshape using envelopes
      9. Reshape objects with effects
      10. Build new shapes with Shaper and Shape Builder tools
      11. Work with Live Corners
      12. Enhanced reshape workflows with touch support
      13. Edit clipping masks
      14. Live shapes
      15. Create shapes using the Shape Builder tool
      16. Global editing
      1. Add text and work with type objects
      2. Reflow Viewer
      3. Create bulleted and numbered lists
      4. Manage text area
      5. Fonts and typography
      6. Identify the fonts used in images and outlined text
      7. Add basic formatting to text
      8. Add advanced formatting to text
      9. Import and export text
      10. Format paragraphs
      11. Special characters
      12. Create type on a path
      13. Character and paragraph styles
      14. Tabs
      15. Preview, add, or replace missing fonts
      16. Arabic and Hebrew type
      17. Fonts | FAQ and troubleshooting tips
      18. Creative typography designs
      19. Scale and rotate type
      20. Line and character spacing
      21. Hyphenation and line breaks
      22. Spelling and language dictionaries
      23. Format Asian characters
      24. Composers for Asian scripts
      25. Create text designs with blend objects
      26. Create a text poster using Image Trace
      1. Work with effects
      2. Graphic styles
      3. Appearance attributes
      4. Create sketches and mosaics
      5. Drop shadows, glows, and feathering
      6. Summary of effects
      1. Best practices for creating web graphics
      2. Graphs
      3. SVG
      4. Slices and image maps
      1. Place multiple files
      2. Manage linked and embedded files
      3. Links information
      4. Unembed images
      5. Import artwork from Photoshop
      6. Import bitmap images
      7. Import Adobe PDF files
      8. Import EPS, DCS, and AutoCAD files
      1. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator
      1. Save artwork
      2. Export artwork
      3. Create Adobe PDF files
      4. Adobe PDF options
      5. Use Illustrator artwork in Photoshop
      6. Collect assets and export in batches
      7. Package files
      8. Extract CSS | Illustrator CC
      9. Document info panel
      1. Set up documents for printing
      2. Change the page size and orientation
      3. Specify crop marks for trimming or aligning
      4. Get started with large canvas
      1. Overprint
      2. Print with color management
      3. PostScript printing
      4. Print presets
      5. Printer's marks and bleeds
      6. Print and save transparent artwork
      7. Trapping
      8. Print color separations
      9. Print gradients, meshes, and color blends
      10. White Overprint
    1. Data merge using the Variables panel
    2. Automation with scripts
    3. Automation with actions
    1. Fixed issues
    2. Known issues
    3. Crash issues
    4. Recover files after crash
    5. Safe mode
    6. File issues
    7. Supported file formats
    8. GPU device driver issues
    9. Wacom device issues
    10. DLL file issues
    11. Memory issues
    12. Preferences file issues
    13. Font issues
    14. Printer issues
    15. Share crash report with Adobe
    16. Improve Illustrator performance
    1. Illustrator User Guide
    2. Get to know Illustrator
        1. What's new in Illustrator
        2. Common questions
        3. Illustrator system requirements
        4. Illustrator for Apple silicon
        5. GPU performance
        1. Workspace basics
        2. Create documents
        3. Learn faster with the Illustrator Discover panel
        4. Accelerate workflows using the Contextual Task Bar
        5. Toolbar
        6. Default keyboard shortcuts
        7. Customize keyboard shortcuts
        8. Introduction to artboards
        9. Manage artboards
        10. Customize the workspace
        11. Properties panel
        12. Set preferences
        13. Touch Workspace
        14. Microsoft Surface Dial support in Illustrator
        15. Undo edits and manage design history
        16. Rotate view
        17. Rulers, grids, and guides
        18. Accessibility in Illustrator
        19. View artwork
        20. Use the Touch Bar with Illustrator
        21. Files and templates
      3. Tools in Illustrator
        1. Tools at a glance
          1. Selection
          2. Direct Selection
          3. Group Selection
          4. Magic Wand
          5. Lasso
          6. Artboard
          1. Hand
          2. Rotate View
          3. Zoom
          1. Gradient
          2. Mesh
          3. Shape Builder
          1. Type
          2. Type on a Path
          3. Vertical Type
          1. Pen
          2. Add Anchor Point
          3. Delete Anchor Point
          4. Anchor Point
          5. Curvature
          6. Line Segment
          7. Rectangle
          8. Rounded Rectangle
          9. Ellipse
          10. Polygon
          11. Star
          12. Paintbrush
          13. Blob Brush
          14. Pencil
          15. Shaper
          16. Slice
        7. Modify tools
          1. Rotate
          2. Reflect
          3. Scale
          4. Shear
          5. Width
          6. Free Transform
          7. Eyedropper
          8. Blend
          9. Eraser
          10. Scissors
          11. Dimension
        1. Generate scenes, subjects, and icons using text prompts
        2. Generate vector patterns using text prompts
        3. Generate vector shape fills using text prompts
        4. Recolor your artwork using text prompts
        1. Retro text
        2. Neon glow text
        3. Old school text
        4. Recolor
        5. Convert sketch to vector
        1. Illustrator on the iPad overview
        2. Illustrator on the iPad FAQs
        3. System requirements | Illustrator on the iPad
        4. What you can or cannot do on Illustrator on the iPad
        1. Illustrator on the iPad workspace
        2. Touch shortcuts and gestures
        3. Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the iPad
        4. Manage your app settings
        1. Work with documents in Illustrator on the iPad
        2. Import Photoshop and Fresco documents
        1. Create repeat objects
        2. Blend objects
        1. Draw and edit paths
        2. Draw and edit shapes
        1. Work with type and fonts
        2. Create text designs along a path
        3. Add your own fonts
        1. Vectorize raster images
        1. Apply colors and gradients
        1. Work with Illustrator cloud documents
        2. Share and collaborate on Illustrator cloud documents
        3. Share documents for review
        4. Upgrade cloud storage for Adobe Illustrator
        5. Illustrator cloud documents | Common questions
        1. Troubleshoot create or save issues for Illustrator cloud documents
        2. Troubleshoot Illustrator cloud documents issues
        1. Drawing basics
        2. Edit paths
        3. Draw pixel-perfect art
        4. Draw with the Pen, Curvature, or Pencil tool
        5. Draw simple lines and shapes
        6. Draw rectangular and polar grids
        7. Draw and edit flares
        8. Trace images
        9. Simplify a path
        10. Symbolism tools and symbol sets
        11. Adjust path segments
        12. Design a flower in 5 easy steps
        13. Create and edit a perspective grid
        14. Draw and modify objects on a perspective grid
        15. Use objects as symbols for repeat use
        16. Draw pixel-aligned paths for web workflows
        1. Measure distance and area
        2. Measure and plot dimensions
        1. About 3D effects in Illustrator
        2. Create 3D graphics
        3. Map artwork over 3D objects
        4. Create 3D Text
        5. Create 3D objects
        1. About color
        2. Select colors
        3. Use and create swatches
        4. Adjust colors
        5. Use the Adobe Color Themes panel
        6. Color groups (harmonies)
        7. Color Themes panel
        8. Recolor your artwork
        1. About painting
        2. Paint with fills and strokes
        3. Live Paint groups
        4. Gradients
        5. Brushes
        6. Transparency and blending modes
        7. Apply stroke on an object
        8. Create and edit patterns
        9. Meshes
        10. Patterns
        1. Select objects
        2. Layers
        3. Expand, group, and ungroup objects
        4. Move, align, and distribute objects
        5. Align, arrange, and move objects on a path
        6. Snap objects to glyph
        7. Snap objects to Japanese glyph
        8. Stack objects    
        9. Lock, hide, and delete objects
        10. Copy and duplicate objects
        11. Rotate and reflect objects
        12. Intertwine objects
        13. Create realistic mockups
        1. Crop images
        2. Transform objects
        3. Combine objects
        4. Cut, divide, and trim objects
        5. Puppet Warp
        6. Scale, shear, and distort objects
        7. Blend objects
        8. Reshape using envelopes
        9. Reshape objects with effects
        10. Build new shapes with Shaper and Shape Builder tools
        11. Work with Live Corners
        12. Enhanced reshape workflows with touch support
        13. Edit clipping masks
        14. Live shapes
        15. Create shapes using the Shape Builder tool
        16. Global editing
        1. Add text and work with type objects
        2. Reflow Viewer
        3. Create bulleted and numbered lists
        4. Manage text area
        5. Fonts and typography
        6. Identify the fonts used in images and outlined text
        7. Add basic formatting to text
        8. Add advanced formatting to text
        9. Import and export text
        10. Format paragraphs
        11. Special characters
        12. Create type on a path
        13. Character and paragraph styles
        14. Tabs
        15. Preview, add, or replace missing fonts
        16. Arabic and Hebrew type
        17. Fonts | FAQ and troubleshooting tips
        18. Creative typography designs
        19. Scale and rotate type
        20. Line and character spacing
        21. Hyphenation and line breaks
        22. Spelling and language dictionaries
        23. Format Asian characters
        24. Composers for Asian scripts
        25. Create text designs with blend objects
        26. Create a text poster using Image Trace
        1. Work with effects
        2. Graphic styles
        3. Appearance attributes
        4. Create sketches and mosaics
        5. Drop shadows, glows, and feathering
        6. Summary of effects
        1. Best practices for creating web graphics
        2. Graphs
        3. SVG
        4. Slices and image maps
        1. Place multiple files
        2. Manage linked and embedded files
        3. Links information
        4. Unembed images
        5. Import artwork from Photoshop
        6. Import bitmap images
        7. Import Adobe PDF files
        8. Import EPS, DCS, and AutoCAD files
        1. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator
        1. Save artwork
        2. Export artwork
        3. Create Adobe PDF files
        4. Adobe PDF options
        5. Use Illustrator artwork in Photoshop
        6. Collect assets and export in batches
        7. Package files
        8. Extract CSS | Illustrator CC
        9. Document info panel
        1. Set up documents for printing
        2. Change the page size and orientation
        3. Specify crop marks for trimming or aligning
        4. Get started with large canvas
        1. Overprint
        2. Print with color management
        3. PostScript printing
        4. Print presets
        5. Printer's marks and bleeds
        6. Print and save transparent artwork
        7. Trapping
        8. Print color separations
        9. Print gradients, meshes, and color blends
        10. White Overprint
      1. Data merge using the Variables panel
      2. Automation with scripts
      3. Automation with actions
      1. Fixed issues
      2. Known issues
      3. Crash issues
      4. Recover files after crash
      5. Safe mode
      6. File issues
      7. Supported file formats
      8. GPU device driver issues
      9. Wacom device issues
      10. DLL file issues
      11. Memory issues
      12. Preferences file issues
      13. Font issues
      14. Printer issues
      15. Share crash report with Adobe
      16. Improve Illustrator performance

    The Free Transform tool lets you rotate, scale, shear, and distort objects.

    Adobe Illustrator deeplink

    Try it in the app
    Transform artwork in a few simple steps.

    Open Illustrator
    Free Transform tool

    1. Select an object and click the Free Transform tool   or press E. 

    2. A widget containing tool options appears. Free Transform   is selected by default.

      • Free Transform   : Drag a point on the bounding box to transform the objects.
      • Perspective Distort   : Drag an object's corner handle to change its size while maintaining its angle, creating a sense of perspective.
      • Free Distort   : Drag an object's corner handle to change both its size and angle.
      • Constrain   : Select this option when using the Free Transform    and Free Distort   options to scale objects proportionally.

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