Scaling an Image with Adobe Illustrator

One of the beauties of Adobe Illustrator is the power of vector art. Since vector art is resolution independent, art created in Illustrator can be re-sized for nearly any use without being concerned with the resolution (aka quality of the final reproduction). With the wide use of appearance effects and transparencies in Illustrator images, it is important to understand how to scale images correctly in order to ensure the highest quality of reproduction. Unlike basic vector elements (take a simple circle for example), objects using transparencies, drop shadows, or even a simple stroke should be sized appropriate to their intended use prior to combining with other elements outside of Illustrator or sending to a print provider for reproduction.

So let’s walk through a few basic options in Illustrator to scale your images correctly and simply. It’s not complicated, but there are a few options you need to be aware of.

Basic Scaling

The Scale Tool allows you to simply scale any object that you have selected by clicking and dragging.

• Dragging anywhere in the document window will scale relative to the object’s center point.
• You can change the default reference point (the object’s center) by first clicking where you want the reference point to be and then dragging to scale your object.
• Holding down Shift as you drag will maintain the object’s proportions as it scales.
• Holding down Shift as you drag vertically or horizontally will scale the object along a single axis only.

Another option for basic scaling is the Free Transform Tool.

Like the Scale Tool, the Free Transform Tool allows you to scale any object you have selected as well as maintain proportions while holding the shift key. This is useful if you are already using the Free Transform Tool to otherwise transform your object (such as rotating).

Advanced Scaling

The Scale Tool also offers some advanced options (scaling by percentage and the option to scale strokes and effects) which are accessible through the scale options dialog box.

Double click on the scale tool to open the options dialog box.

Hold the option/apple key while clicking on an object to open the options dialog box as well as reset the reference point.

Scaling Object Effects

By default, strokes and effects are not scaled along with an image object in Illustrator. However, with the Scale Tool, you can turn on the option to “scale strokes and effects”. This is the perfect solution to ensure your drop shadows and other effects have the same effects on your object at any size.

Original Image - Not Scaled

Scaled to 50%
without scaling strokes and effects

Scaled to 50%
with "Scale strokes and Effects" option

Note:

You can change this default setting in Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or Illustrator > Preferences > General (Mac OS), and select Scale Strokes & Effects. But I recommend that you scale strokes and effects on a case-by-case basis with the Scale Tool options.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 2:07 pm and is filed under Design Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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