Skip to main content
tjw100
tjw100
Participant
August 2, 2022
Answered

Does anyone know how duplicate while rotating?

  • August 2, 2022
  • 1 reply
  • 5988 views

This has been going on for a long time... I can duplicate an object by dragging and holding down the Alt key. However, I used to be able to rotate and make a copy as I was rotating. I reset my shortcuts thinking that maybe I was hijacking the Alt key with some other command, but that didn't work either. 

 

I have resorted to doing a copy paste in front, then rotating to get the duplicate, but that is adding what I consider unnecessary steps to the process. Anywone else having this issue?

 

Thanks

Correct answer Laura Coyle.

It works if you use the Rotate tool (shortcut R) first click sets the rotation point, then click and drag to rotate and hold Option/Alt to copy as you rotate. Are you working instead with the bounding box and hovering over a corner handle to rotate? That may be why it's not working for you, I don't think this is possible. I hope that helps! 

1 reply

Laura Coyle.
Community Expert
Laura Coyle.Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 2, 2022

It works if you use the Rotate tool (shortcut R) first click sets the rotation point, then click and drag to rotate and hold Option/Alt to copy as you rotate. Are you working instead with the bounding box and hovering over a corner handle to rotate? That may be why it's not working for you, I don't think this is possible. I hope that helps! 

    tjw100
    tjw100Author
    Participant
    August 2, 2022

    Thanks for the response Laura.

    I am pretty sure it was possible in a previous iteration of Illustrator. It seems like adding the ALT copy to the rotation corner handle is a no brainer. 

    Anshul_Saini
    Community Manager
    Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    August 25, 2022

    Hi there,

    Thanks for reaching out. I agree with what Laura has said. It only works if you select the Rotate tool first. I have checked on Illustaror v2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 and was not able to replicate the behaviour you have described. I was only able to duplicate while rotating with the process Laura has mentioned. It is possible that you previously had some other custom shortcut for Rotate tool instead of R.

    I would suggest you upvote this similar UserVoice and add your comment there. This way, you will get updates, and it will help prioritize it.

    Regards,

    Anshul Saini

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices