Transform Methods

Transform

The Transform method is used to change the positioning, rotation, shear-angle, and scaling of document art according to Illustrator UI's Transform dialog feature as well as the Transform Panel.

Positioning, rotation, shear-angle, etc. can be set at the same time.

Note: As the Darty-Ai tagging mechanism allows for setting the same tags on multiple items, this method effectively simulates Illustrator's "Transform-Each" dialog except for the "Random" parameter at this time.

Transform - Positioning

The following parameters are used to change an object's position on the artboard explicitly by setting the coordinate through data:

Method	Description
x	The `x` coordinate to move the object to, use the `useGlobalRuler` property to specify whether to use the Global or Artboard coordinates Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
y	The `y` coordinate to move the object to, use the `useGlobalRuler` property to specify whether to use the Global or Artboard coordinates Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
xyAnchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be scaled, rotated, etc. and then moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
transformObjects	Whether or not to transform the object, the case for setting this to `false` would be if you only want to transform the objects pattern if it has one Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeFillPatterns	Whether or not to transform the object's fill pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeStrokePattern	Whether or not to transform the object's stroke pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
useGlobalRuler	Whether or not to use use global ruler. The artboard ruler will be used if the global ruler is not used. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
usePreviewBounds	Whether to transform the object based on its preview bounds. The preview bounds take into account the object's strokes and effects. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
tagSearch	The tag search of the tagged artwork to set the attributes. Example Values: `eyes \| nose \| mouth \| ears`, `face`
skip	Set to `true` is you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
*	Set to `false` if you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details Valid Values: `true` or `false`

Positioning Example Spreadsheet


star
transform
x	y	xyAnchorPoint	useGlobalRuler	changeStrokePattern	scaleStrokes	changeFillPatterns	transformObjects:true

50	50	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
		CENTER	FALSE	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
50	50	TOPLEFT		TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
		TOPLEFT		TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
50	50	CENTER		TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE
		CENTER		TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE

Transform - Translation

Move

These parameters are used to move an art-item relative to its current location in the document. All parameters not involving rotation angle in this sub-set of transform parameters are change-values which will calculate against the object's current measurements.

Method	Description
deltaX / deltaH	Moves the object on the horizontal axis relative to it's current position. Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
deltaY / deltaV	Moves the object on the vertical axis relative to it's current position. Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
distance	Distance to move at a given `angle`, if no angle is given, the object will be moved to the right Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
angle	Set the angle to move the object when a `distance` property is set. Use the `rotation`* parameter to additionally rotate the object about itself if required.* Example Values: `0`, `45`, `180`, `303`, `-20`
transformObjects	Whether or not to transform the object, the case for setting this to `false` would be if you only want to transform the objects pattern if it has one Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeFillPatterns	Whether or not to transform the object's fill pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeStrokePattern	Whether or not to transform the object's stroke pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
tagSearch	The tag search of the tagged artwork to set the attributes. Example Values: `eyes \| nose \| mouth \| ears`, `face`
skip	Set to `true` is you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
*	Set to `false` if you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details Valid Values: `true` or `false`

Translation Example Spreadsheet


star
transform
deltaX	deltaY	angle	distance	anchorPoint	changeStrokePattern	scaleStrokes	changeFillPatterns	transformObjects:true

50	50			CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
		72	50	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
50	50			TOPLEFT	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
		72	50	TOPLEFT	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
50	50			CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE
		72	50	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE

Transform - Rotation and Flip

Rotate

The rotation property turns the art object about itself.
The flip property flips the object, horizontally, vertically or both.

Method	Description
anchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates and then scaled, rotated, etc. Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
xyAnchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be scaled, rotated, etc. and then moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
rotation	Rotates the art object about itself. Note: This is not the same as the `angle` parameter that controls the angle of the item's translation when using the `distance` parameter. Example Values: `0`, `45`, `180`, `303`, `-20`
flip	Will flip the object along it's horizontal or vertical axises or both Valid Values: `h`, `v`, `hv`, `vh`
transformObjects	Whether or not to transform the object, the case for setting this to `false` would be if you only want to transform the objects pattern if it has one Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeFillPatterns	Whether or not to transform the object's fill pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeStrokePattern	Whether or not to transform the object's stroke pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
useGlobalRuler	Whether or not to use use global ruler. The artboard ruler will be used if the global ruler is not used. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
usePreviewBounds	Whether to transform the object based on its preview bounds. The preview bounds take into account the object's strokes and effects. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
tagSearch	The tag search of the tagged artwork to set the attributes. Example Values: `eyes \| nose \| mouth \| ears`, `face`
skip	Set to `true` is you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
*	Set to `false` if you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details Valid Values: `true` or `false`

Rotation Example Spreadsheet


star
transform
rotation	anchorPoint	changeStrokePattern	scaleStrokes	changeFillPatterns	transformObjects:true

72	TOPLEFT		TRUE	TRUE
72	CENTER		TRUE	TRUE
72	TOPLEFT		FALSE	FALSE
72	CENTER		FALSE	FALSE
72	TOPLEFT		TRUE	TRUE	FALSE
72	CENTER		TRUE	TRUE	FALSE

Transform - Shear

Shear

These parameters skew the art item with a specified angle.

Method	Description
anchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates and then scaled, rotated, etc. Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
xyAnchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be scaled, rotated, etc. and then moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
shearH	Horizontal shear angle. Example Values: `0`, `45`, `180`, `303`, `-20`
shearV	Vertical shear angle. Example Values: `0`, `45`, `180`, `303`, `-20`
transformObjects	Whether or not to transform the object, the case for setting this to `false` would be if you only want to transform the objects pattern if it has one Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeFillPatterns	Whether or not to transform the object's fill pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeStrokePattern	Whether or not to transform the object's stroke pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
useGlobalRuler	Whether or not to use use global ruler. The artboard ruler will be used if the global ruler is not used. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
usePreviewBounds	Whether to transform the object based on its preview bounds. The preview bounds take into account the object's strokes and effects. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
tagSearch	The tag search of the tagged artwork to set the attributes. Example Values: `eyes \| nose \| mouth \| ears`, `face`
skip	Set to `true` is you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
*	Set to `false` if you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details Valid Values: `true` or `false`

Shear Example Spreadsheet


star
transform
shearH	shearV	anchorPoint	changeStrokePattern	scaleStrokes	changeFillPatterns	transformObjects:true

10	10	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
20	20	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
10	10	TOPLEFT	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
20	20	TOPLEFT	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE
10	10	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE
20	20	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE

Transform - Scaling and Sizing

These properties control the scale and size of the art item.

Scale

Scale Example Spreadsheet

Method	Description
anchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates and then scaled, rotated, etc. Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
xyAnchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be scaled, rotated, etc. and then moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
scale	How many times bigger you want to scale the object. Example Values: `50` - Half it's size, `200` - Double it's size
scaleH	How many times bigger you want to scale the object horizontally. Example Values: `50` - Half it's size, `200` - Double it's size.
scaleV	How many times bigger you want to scale the object vertically. Example Values: `50` - Half it's size, `200` - Double it's size.
height	Value to set the item's height to. Example Values: `10in`, `5p3`, `1'` etc.
heightDiff	Increases or decrease the height of the object by the given distance. Example Values: `1in`, `-1in` etc.
width	Value to set the item's width to. Example Values: `10in`, `5p3`, `1"` etc.
widthDiff	Increases or decrease the width of the object by the given distance. Example Values: `1in`, `-1in` etc.
keepProportions	Enforces a proportional scaling operation in the cases where a height or width are not both specified If both height and width (any of these or their vertical counterparts: `scaleH`, `width` or `widthDiff`) are specified and `keepProportions` is set to `TRUE`, the width-based parameter is accepted as the value to proportionally fit the height. Valid Values: `true`, `false`
scaleCorners	Whether or not to scale corners. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
scaleStrokes	Whether or not to scale strokes and effects. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
transformObjects	Whether or not to transform the object, the case for setting this to `false` would be if you only want to transform the objects pattern if it has one Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeFillPatterns	Whether or not to transform the object's fill pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeStrokePattern	Whether or not to transform the object's stroke pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
useGlobalRuler	Whether or not to use use global ruler. The artboard ruler will be used if the global ruler is not used. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
usePreviewBounds	Whether to transform the object based on its preview bounds. The preview bounds take into account the object's strokes and effects. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
tagSearch	The tag search of the tagged artwork to set the attributes. Example Values: `eyes \| nose \| mouth \| ears`, `face`
skip	Set to `true` is you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
*	Set to `false` if you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details Valid Values: `true` or `false`


star
transform
scaleH	scaleV	keepProportions	widthDiff	heightDiff	width	height	scaleStrokes	anchorPoint	changeStrokePattern	changeFillPatterns	transformObjects:true

50		TRUE					FALSE	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE
	50						FALSE
			1"				TRUE	TOPLEFT	TRUE	TRUE
		TRUE		100pt				CENTER
						300	TRUE	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE
		TRUE			2cm		FALSE	CENTER	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE
		TRUE			2cm		TRUE	CENTER	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE
			50	50			TRUE	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE
					20	60	TRUE	CENTER	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE

Transform - All Properties

A list of all the transform properties

Method	Description
anchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates and then scaled, rotated, etc. Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
xyAnchorPoint	The anchor point to scale, rotate or reflect from, if an `x` or `y` value is provided, the object will first be scaled, rotated, etc. and then moved to the `x` and `y` coordinates Valid Values: `tl` `topLeft` `1`, `t` `top` `2`, `tr` `topRight` `3` `l` `left` `4`, `c` `center` `5`, `r` `right` `6` `bl` `bottomLeft` `7`, `b` `bottom` `8`, `br` `bottomRight` `9`
angle	Set the angle to move the object when a `distance` property is set. Use the `rotation`* parameter to additionally rotate the object about itself if required.* Example Values: `0`, `45`, `180`, `303`, `-20`
distance	Distance to move at a given `angle`, if no angle is given, the object will be moved to the right Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
deltaX / deltaH	Moves the object on the horizontal axis relative to it's current position. Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
deltaY / deltaV	Moves the object on the vertical axis relative to it's current position. Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
height	Value to set the item's height to. Example Values: `10in`, `5p3`, `1'` etc.
heightDiff	Increases or decrease the height of the object by the given distance. Example Values: `1in`, `-1in` etc.
width	Value to set the item's width to. Example Values: `10in`, `5p3`, `1"` etc.
widthDiff	Increases or decrease the width of the object by the given distance. Example Values: `1in`, `-1in` etc.
x	The `x` coordinate to move the object to, use the `useGlobalRuler` property to specify whether to use the Global or Artboard coordinates Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
y	The `y` coordinate to move the object to, use the `useGlobalRuler` property to specify whether to use the Global or Artboard coordinates Example Values: `10in`, `2000`, `1'` etc.
flip	Will flip the object along it's horizontal or vertical axises or both Valid Values: `h`, `v`, `hv`, `vh`
rotation	Rotates the art object about itself. Note: This is not the same as the `angle` parameter that controls the angle of the item's translation when using the `distance` parameter. Example Values: `0`, `45`, `180`, `303`, `-20`
scale	How many times bigger you want to scale the object. Example Values: `50` - Half it's size, `200` - Double it's size
scaleH	How many times bigger you want to scale the object horizontally. Example Values: `50` - Half it's size, `200` - Double it's size.
scaleV	How many times bigger you want to scale the object vertically. Example Values: `50` - Half it's size, `200` - Double it's size.
keepProportions	Enforces a proportional scaling operation in the cases where a height or width are not both specified If both height and width (any of these or their vertical counterparts: `scaleH`, `width` or `widthDiff`) are specified and `keepProportions` is set to `TRUE`, the width-based parameter is accepted as the value to proportionally fit the height. Valid Values: `true`, `false`
shearH	Horizontal shear angle. Example Values: `0`, `45`, `180`, `303`, `-20`
shearV	Vertical shear angle. Example Values: `0`, `45`, `180`, `303`, `-20`
scaleCorners	Whether or not to scale corners. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
scaleStrokes	Whether or not to scale strokes and effects. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
transformObjects	Whether or not to transform the object, the case for setting this to `false` would be if you only want to transform the objects pattern if it has one Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeFillPatterns	Whether or not to transform the object's fill pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
changeStrokePattern	Whether or not to transform the object's stroke pattern Valid Values: `true` or `false`
useGlobalRuler	Whether or not to use use global ruler. The artboard ruler will be used if the global ruler is not used. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
usePreviewBounds	Whether to transform the object based on its preview bounds. The preview bounds take into account the object's strokes and effects. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
tagSearch	The tag search of the tagged artwork to set the attributes. Example Values: `eyes \| nose \| mouth \| ears`, `face`
skip	Set to `true` is you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details. Valid Values: `true` or `false`
*	Set to `false` if you want the method to be skipped in a particular row. See * and Skip for details Valid Values: `true` or `false`