Changing the size of an object in Adobe Illustrator is a fundamental skill that every designer and artist needs to master. Whether you’re scaling a simple shape, resizing a complex vector illustration, or adjusting the dimensions of a piece of text, understanding how to change size in AI is essential for creating visually appealing and professional-looking designs. In this article, we’ll explore various methods for changing the size of objects in Adobe Illustrator.
Scaling Objects Proportionally:
One of the most common ways to change the size of an object in Illustrator is by scaling it proportionally. To do this, select the object you want to resize and then go to the “Transform” panel or the top toolbar. Here, you can enter the desired dimensions to scale the object proportionally. Alternatively, you can drag the corner handles while holding the “Shift” key to maintain the object’s proportions as you resize it.
Scaling Objects Non-Proportionally:
In some cases, you may want to change the size of an object without maintaining its original proportions. To do this, select the object and use the corner handles to resize it without holding the “Shift” key. This will allow you to stretch or compress the object in a non-proportional manner. You can also enter specific values in the “Transform” panel to adjust the width and height independently.
Scaling Multiple Objects:
When working with multiple objects in Illustrator, you can scale them collectively by grouping them first. Once grouped, you can scale the objects proportionally or non-proportionally as described above. Grouping objects is particularly useful when you want to maintain their relative positions and sizes while resizing them together.
Scaling Text:
Changing the size of text in Illustrator is also straightforward. Simply select the text with the “Selection” tool, and then use the “Character” panel or the top toolbar to adjust the font size. You can also scale text proportionally or non-proportionally using the same methods as with other objects.
Scaling Strokes and Effects:
When resizing objects in Illustrator, it’s important to consider the impact on strokes and effects applied to those objects. By default, Illustrator scales strokes and effects proportionally with the object. However, you can change this behavior by going to “Preferences” > “General” and unchecking the “Scale Strokes & Effects” option. This allows you to resize objects without affecting the size of strokes and effects applied to them.
Artboard Resizing:
In addition to changing the size of individual objects, you may need to resize the artboard itself. To do this, select the artboard tool and then adjust its dimensions as needed. Resizing the artboard is useful when preparing designs for printing or exporting, as it helps ensure that the final output will fit the intended dimensions.
In conclusion, changing the size of objects in Adobe Illustrator is a fundamental aspect of creating digital artwork and designs. Whether you’re working with simple shapes, complex illustrations, or text, mastering the various methods for resizing objects in Illustrator is crucial for producing high-quality visuals. By understanding how to scale objects proportionally, non-proportionally, and in groups, as well as resizing text and adjusting strokes and effects, designers and artists can effectively manipulate the size of their creations to achieve their desired results.
