Transform objects with the transform panel, Transform objects with the free transform tool – Adobe InDesign CS4 User Manual
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USING INDESIGN CS4
Frames and objects
•
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
See also
Change transformation settings
Gallery of transformation tools
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, use the Direct Selection tool
to 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). You can also specify dimensions rather than percentages by specifying the unit of measurement, such
as 6p.
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 Photoshop and 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.
Updated 18 June 2009