How to Use The Scale Shear and Reshape Tools in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a software program for graphic artists that features a wide range of tools that help create and modify images. Whether you are crafting images as an artistic expression, or for a business project, knowing all the features and tools of Adobe Illustrator can help increase your speed and decrease your design time. You can learn how to use the scale, sheer and reshape tools in Adobe Illustrator by trial and error, or you can review this graphic design tutorial to quickly ramp up to speed.

How to Use The Scale Shear and Reshape Tools in Adobe Illustrator Video

Discover how to use the scale, shear and reshape tools in Adobe Illustrator with graphic artist Janee Meadows, an award-winning graphic artist from Los Angeles. She offers a visual overview of how to use these tools to modify and enhance image designs. This graphic design tutorial is offered as part of a series of Adobe Illustrator tips on the Mahalo.com YouTube channel.

Step 1: Create a Tool Menu

Press the black triangle in the bottom corner of the scale tool icon on your tool palate. The scale tool is the 7th button in the right column. A pop-out window will appear that features 3 tools. Press the white column button on the right side of the window to activate the 'tear off' feature and create a stand-alone scale tool bar.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1y9KGM_FzQ

Step 2: Use the Scale Tool

Select an object, the press the select tool, which is the first button on the left side of your tool palate. Click on part of your image, then drag your mouse in the direction you want to scale your object. If you want your object to retain its proportions, press the "Shift" button before scaling your image.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1y9KGM_FzQ

Step 3: Use the Shear Tool

Press the middle button on your scale tool bar to activate the sheer tool. Click and drag your object to shift one portion of the image in one direction and the other portion in the opposite direction. For example, your can make the top portion of your design slice to the right, while the bottom half moves to the left.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1y9KGM_FzQ

Step 3: Use the Reshape Tool

Click the reshape tool button, which is the button on the right side of the scale tool palate. Select a hollow portion or enclosed portion of your design and drag it away from the image for modification or deletion.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1y9KGM_FzQ