Shearing an object using the Shear Selection tool

Using the Select Objects tool

, select the object which you want to shear. Click the object or drag a rectangle, called a marquee, around the object.

Example: Dragging a dotted rectangle around the object to select the entire graphic.

Click the Shear Selection tool

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The object’s point of origin from which it will be sheared is indicated.

The point of origin is in the center of the selected object.

The Enfocus Inspector changes accordingly.

If necessary, change the Constraint Angle (for SHIFT-shear) or the Cross Hair Color in the Numeric feedback area of the Enfocus Inspector.

Note: In the Numeric Feedback area you can find exact information about the shearing action you are about to perform.

Do one of the following:

To shear the object while keeping the center point as the point of origin, drag the object into a random direction.
To move the point of origin, double-click on another position inside or outside the object. Then drag to shear the object using the object’s new point of origin. For example, to create a parallelogram from a rectangular object, place the point of origin on any of the corners of the object.

Example: Placing the point of origin on the corners of an object to create a parallelogram from a rectangular object.

Hold down the SHIFT key while dragging to limit the shear movement to a fixed angle of constraint, for example 15°. You can set this angle in the Numeric Feedback category of the Enfocus Inspector.

Example: Shearing an object in fixed angles, as defined in the Preferences.

Hold down the ALT key (Windows) or Option key (Macintosh) while dragging to shear a copy of the selected object.