Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 3/10/2010

Question
QUESTION: For some reason when I resize an object using the transform pallet, instead of the object remaining in the same location it jumps to another location after I have resized it. If I reduce the size it jumps to the lower left, if I increase it the object jumps to the upper right. Depending on how much of a change in size determines how far from the original location it jumps to. I just double an object in size and it jumped so far away it was off of the art board. I have never had this happen in all the years I have used illustrator, what setting have I accidently changed to cause this behavior?

ANSWER: Hi Kelly,

Check to see where you transform axis is. This is normally in the center of an object, but with the transform palette, you can designate this using the diagram on the right. The other thing is you should be aware of your X and Y axis.

Thanks

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Actually I thought of that after seeing a screen shot of a transform palette online. I went to see if I had accidentally changed the position from the center and to my utter amazement the grid isn't there!!! I know it used to be. How can something like this happen, and more importantly how in the world do I fix it??
By the way, the x y axis  boxes are there and they are both set to 0. Please help!!!

Answer
Hi Kelly,

Im not sure how you could have gotten rid of the reference point on the left side of the palette. It's not an option you can turn on and off. My only suggestion is to close the panel and go to Window>Transform and reopen it. What OS are you currently running?

The X an Y axis should not be set to 0/0 unless you are expecting this to move to the bottom left side of your page or wherever you have moved your rulers to read 0/0. This could be your overall issue. When the X and Y changes, the object moves.


Kevin