How to Use The Reflect and Rotate Tools in Adobe Illustrator

The ability to create mirror images or rotate designs along an axis can allow you to enhance your graphic design abilities. Adobe Illustrator offers built-in tools that allow you to quickly modify your images to new directions for an artistic project, business need or personal expression. Rotating or reflecting images can be accomplished quickly, once you have a firm understanding of the tools in Adobe Illustrator. Discover how to use the reflect and rotate tools in Adobe Illustrator through this graphic design tutorial.

How to Use The Reflect and Rotate Tools in Adobe Illustrator Video

Expand your Illustrator knowledge and learn how to use the reflect and rotate tools in Adobe Illustrator through this graphic design tutorial. Graphic artist Janee Meadows, an award-winning graphic artist, presents a visual guide on how to use these tools to adjust an image. This guide is part of a series of Adobe Illustrator tips offered on the Mahalo.com YouTube channel.

Step 1: Create a Stand-Alone Tool Menu

Click on the black triangle in the bottom corner of the rotate icon on your tool palate. The rotate tool looks like a circle and is the 7th button in the left column. A pop-out window will appear that features 2 tools. Press the white column button on the right side of the window to activate the 'tear off' feature and create a stand-alone rotate menu.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46YmPJeOues

Step 2: Use the Rotate Tool

With the select tool activated, click on one side of the image and drag your cursor across the area. Press the rotate tool, which is the left button on your rotate tool palate. Click on one part of the image and then drag your the cursor in a circle. Your selected image will rotate around a light turquoise anchor point in the middle of the object. You can adjust the fulcrum, or anchor point, by clicking and holding on the turquoise point and dragging it to another spot on your selected image. Let go of your mouse when your image is in your preferred location.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46YmPJeOues

Step 3: Use the Reflect Tool

Select your image then press the "O" key on your keyboard, or select the second button on the rotate tool palate. A "Reflect" window will appear. Select the type of reflection you want such as horizontal, an angle or vertical, then press the "OK" button. Your image will reflect based on your axis selection.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46YmPJeOues