How to Scale an Object in Opposite Directions in Illustrator CS6?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how to scale an object in Adobe Illustrator CS6 in opposite directions from two sides while keeping the other sides stationary. Participants explore various methods and interpretations of the scaling process, including specific examples and tools within Illustrator.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to scale a rectangle from one corner outward while the opposite corner also expands.
  • Another participant suggests that scaling all corners simultaneously is equivalent to scaling about a central point, recommending the use of a control key like Alt.
  • There is a request for clarification on whether the goal is to turn a square into a rectangle while keeping other sides fixed.
  • A participant describes a method involving adding new anchor points and using the scale tool, but expresses confusion about the original request.
  • Another participant proposes that the desired outcome may involve creating a hexagon and outlines a step-by-step method using the pen tool and smart guides.
  • One participant expresses frustration over the lack of clarity in the original request and subsequent descriptions.
  • Another participant notes the potential for creating a tessellation through symmetrical and non-symmetrical edits along different axes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the exact nature of the scaling request, with multiple interpretations and methods proposed. There is ongoing confusion regarding the desired outcome and the terminology used.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the ambiguity in the original description, which leads to varied interpretations of the scaling process. The discussion includes references to specific shapes and tools in Illustrator, but lacks clarity on the final expected result.

Dave Ritche
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While scaling an object in illustrator CS6,how can we scale that object in both directions but oppositely?
For example,scaling a rectangle from one of its corners outward while the opposite corner also goes outward?
Thanks in advance.
 
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Scaling so that both (all) corners expand at once? Is that what you mean? This is simply scaling up about a central point as opposed to about the vertex.
scaling.png

Try holding down one of the control keys, such as Alt.
 
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Thanks but what i mean is that scaling the object from two sides while other remain at their actual position.
 
Dave Ritche said:
Thanks but what i mean is that scaling the object from two sides while other remain at their actual position.
So, turning a square into a rectangle?
I sure wish you could be more descriptive.

Say you've got a shape - a one unit square - whose coordinates are 0,0 / 0,1 / 1,1 / 1,0.
What do you want them to be when you're done?
 
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DaveC426913 said:
So, turning a square into a rectangle?
I sure wish you could be more descriptive.

Say you've got a shape - a one unit square - whose coordinates are 0,0 / 0,1 / 1,1 / 1,0.
What do you want them to be when you're done?
For me,it doesn't matter what shape it is..i just want to know how we can scale the corners the guy did in this video:

scaling one anchor point outward and notice the other also goes outward..watch at 2:28..
 
OK, he added two new anchor points, one centre bottom, one centre top. Then he selected them both (shift-click or ctrl-click? not sure).
Then he uses the scale tool on just those two anchor points ,and scales them up.

But that's not at all what you were asking in the opening post.

The only reason I'm suggesting a rectangle is so that we're both talking about the same thing and it's simple.
But I can't seem to get you to nail down what exactly it is you're expecting. Your description is too ambiguous.

Take the 1 unit box I described: coordinates 0,0 / 0,1 / 1,1 / 1,0.
What do you expect it to look like when you're done? Provide the final coordinates.
 
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You mean you want to symmetrically edit the 2 opposite corners of a square...?
 
Just noticed my error...Edges and not corners, my mistake...!

Essentially you are producing a Hexagon and can use the Polygon tool to produce a shape with a number of sides, in this case a Hexagon, 6 sides and rotate 90 degrees. There's also the, Warp Tool, you could use to turn the square into a Hexagon shape

To do the same as the video.

1. Turn on smart guides [Useful when precision is required]
2. Draw a Square
3. Select the pen tool
4. With the square selected, now move the pen tool to the centre of the square, also the rotational axis. When you've done this, the pen tool will highlight some text telling you, you are; Center, Align 0 degrees, etc.
5. Once you are on the centre move the cursor down slightly and a smart guide is automatically placed at 90 degrees through the centre of the square [Move off that 90 degree axis and the guide will disappear or show a different angle]
6. Follow that 90 degree guide and the point it intersects the edge of the square, again the programme will indicate you are at a point of intersection [Intersect] and using the pen tool, create an Anchor Point.
6a. Follow the same guide and create another Anchor point at the top edge of the square
7. Use the Direct Selection Tool [Clear Arrow] to select the 2 new anchor points.
8. Select the Scale Tool [Arrow inside a rectangle] and move to either the top or lower Anchor Point
9. Move either point up or down...!

If you've done this correctly you should see the square change shape into a hexagon...Next step is to filet the corners

Hope this helps...
 
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I don't know what he wants. How hard can it be to actually describe? Yet he refuses.
 
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From his original post he's described a rhombus and from his second post with the video a hexagon, apart from that I would not like to say...!

a.gif

What is interesting is, slightly O/T. With a symmetrical edit on the Y axis and a non symmetrical edit along the X axis you have the start of a Tessellation.
b.gif
 
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