Using Power Duplicating

Using Power Duplicating

FreeHand offers two techniques for copying and transforming objects. The first technique allows you to transform a copy of an object. You can then create additional transformed copies.

To create multiple transformed copies:

Hold the Opt/Alt key as you begin the transformation. A plus sign (+) appears next to the star cursor.

Release the mouse button first and then the Opt/Alt key to create a transformed copy of the original object

Figure 32. The plus sign indicates that a copy of the object is being made as part of the transformation.

TIP

If you do not see the plus sign (+), check that the Object Preference for Opt/Alt-dragging to create copies is selected(see page 391).

Choose Edit > Duplicate to create additional transformed copies

Figure 33. The Duplicate command creates additional copies of a rotated object.

The second technique allows you to store up to five transformations. You can then apply all the transformations as you make copies.

To combine transformations into Power Duplicating:

Select the object you want to transform.

Choose Edit > Clone. This creates a copy of the object on top of the original.

Move the clone or use any of the transformation tools to modify it.

Apply any of the other transformations. Each of the transformations is now stored.

Choose Edit > Duplicate. The object is copied and modified according to the stored transformations.

Choose Edit > Duplicate as many times as needed. Each command creates a new object transformed according to the stored transformation settings

Figure 34. Power Duplicating allows you to store transformations and reapply them to copies. In this case, the star is both rotated and scaled.