InDesign

Transform objects

You can modify an object’s size or shape, and change its orientation on the pasteboard, by using tools and commands. The toolbox includes four transformation tools—the Rotate, Scale, Shear, and Free Transform tools. All transformations, with the addition of reflection, are available in the Transform and Control panels, where you can precisely specify transformations.

Transformation tools (top) compared to Transform panel (bottom)

A.
Rotation options

B.
Shearing options

C.
Scaling options

When transforming objects, note the following:

  • The results of a transformation can differ significantly, depending on which selection tool you use. Use the Selection tool  to transform an entire path and its content; use the Direct Selection tool  to transform just the path without its content or the content without its path. To transform the content without its path, make sure that all anchor points are selected.

  • A transformation affects all selected objects as a single unit. For example, if you select multiple objects and rotate them 30°, they all rotate around one reference point. If you want to rotate each selected object 30° around its own reference point, you must select and rotate them individually.

  • When transforming type, you can use either of two selection methods: Use the Selection or Direct Selection tool to select an entire text frame or text converted to outlines, and then use the transformation tools; or use the Type tool to select text or to click an insertion point in a text frame, and then specify transformations in the Transform panel, Control panel, or dialog boxes available when you double-click a tool. In both cases, the transformation affects the entire text frame.

  • When you rotate, skew, or scale a group, the settings apply to the entire group, as well as to the individual objects in the group. For example, if you rotate a group 30°, the rotation value in the Transform or Control panel is 30° whether you select the group itself or direct-select an object in the group.

For a video on working with objects, see www.adobe.com/go/vid0071.

Transform objects with the Transform panel

InDesign no longer includes a Transform Content command. Instead, use the selection tools to determine whether the content and frame are transformed together or separately.

  1. Choose Window > Object & Layout > Transform.
  2. Select an object to transform.

    • To transform both the frame and its content, use the Selection tool to select the frame.

    • To transform the content without transforming its frame, direct-select the object.

    • To transform a frame without transforming the content, direct-select the frame, and select all the anchor points.

  3. In the Transform panel, specify the reference point for the transformation.

    All values in the panel refer to the bounding boxes of the objects. X and Y values refer to the selected reference point on the bounding box relative to the ruler origin.

  4. Do any of the following:

    • Enter new values in the text boxes.

    • Choose values from available pop‑up menus.

    • Choose commands from the panel menu.

      Note: To maintain the object’s proportions when using the Scale X Percentage and Scale Y Percentage options, click the Constrain Proportions icon  in the panel. When the option is not selected, dots appear on both sides of the icon (like a broken chain link).
  5. Press Tab, Enter (Windows), or Return (Mac OS) to apply the change.

Transform objects with the Free Transform tool

The Free Transform tool works the same way it does in Adobe Photoshopand Adobe Illustrator, by providing a way to perform any transformation with just one tool. You can combine transformations, such as rotating and scaling, while the Free Transform tool is active.

You can use keyboard shortcuts to instantly switch among the Free Transform tool (press E), the Selection tool (V), and the Direct Selection tool (A).
  1. Using the appropriate selection tool, select the object or objects to transform.
  2. Select the Free Transform tool .

    • To move objects, click anywhere within the bounding box, and then drag.

    • To scale objects, drag any bounding box handle until the object is the desired size. Shift-drag the handle to preserve the selection’s proportions.

    • To scale objects from the center of the bounding box, Alt‑drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS).

    • To rotate objects, position the pointer anywhere outside the bounding box. When pointer changes to , drag until the selection is at the desired angle of rotation.

    • To reflect objects, drag a handle of the bounding box past the opposite edge or handle, until the object is at the desired level of reflection.

    • To shear objects, begin dragging a handle, and then hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS). Hold down Alt+Ctrl (Windows) or Command+Option to shear from both sides of the object.