Working with Objects

Last updated: August 13, 2019

Creating Shapes

To create an object in Illustrator, just select the appropriate Shape tool and either click once where you want the center of that object to be or click and drag, creating your object as you drag. If you click only once, a box will pop up that will ask you want the dimensions of your object to be. Depending on the particular object, it may also ask for more information, such as how many sides or points you want for a polygon or star. Sounds simple, right? But what about those really complex objects you might want to make?

To create an object in Illustrator, just select the appropriate Shape tool and either click once where you want the center of that object to be or click and drag, creating your object as you drag. If you click only once, a box will pop up that will ask you want the dimensions of your object to be. Depending on the particular object, it may also ask for more information, such as how many sides or points you want for a polygon or star. Sounds simple, right? But what about those really complex objects you might want to make?

In truth, using simple shapes, the Rotate and Scale tools, and the Pathfinder and Align palettes, we are able to create fairly complex objects. Think about how many objects around you are really just combinations of rectangles and ellipses… a lot, right?