You use the Info panel (Window > Info) to get information on the area beneath the pointer and on selected objects.

• When an object is selected and a selection tool is active, the Info panel displays the object’s x and y coordinates, width (W), and height (H). The values for width and height are affected by the Use Preview Bounds option in the General preferences. When Use Preview Bounds is selected, Illustrator includes the stroke width (and other attributes such as drop shadows) in the object’s dimensions. When Use Preview Bounds is deselected, Illustrator measures only the dimensions defined by the object’s vector path.

• When you use the Pen tool or Gradient tool, or when you move a selection, the Info panel displays the change in x (W), the change in y (H), the distance (D), and the angle  as you drag.

• When you use the Zoom tool, the Info panel displays the magnification factor and the x and y coordinates after you release the mouse button.

• When you use the Scale tool, the Info panel displays the percentage change in width (W) and height (H) and the new width (W) and height (H) after the scaling is complete. When you use the rotate or reflect tools, the Info panel displays the coordinates of the object’s center and the angle of rotation  or reflection .

• When you use the Shear tool, the Info panel displays the coordinates of the object’s center, the angle of shear axis , and the amount of shear .

• When you use the Paintbrush tool, the Info panel displays the x and y coordinates and the name of the current brush.

• Select Show Options from the panel menu or click the double arrow on the panel tab to show values for the fill and stroke colors of the selected object and the name of any pattern, gradient, or tint applied to the selected object.

  Note: If you select multiple objects, the Info panel displays only the information that is the same for all selected objects.