Participant

Question

Rotation Precision

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
December 27, 2021
4 replies
1278 views

Is there any way to increase rotation accuracy in Illustrator?
It rounds off after the first decimal place.

Imput value:

Result:

This topic has been closed for replies.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

Check out CADtools from HotDoor.com. I'm not sure if it will do exactly what you want, but it would be worth checking out.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Leandro,

Looking at your dial, to elaborate on my other post, you can simply insert the following value for each rotation step:

[Angle covered]/[number of marks/ticks/tick marks/whatever you call them, not counting the original one (much as when you make a blend or a grid)].

Or maybe more conveniently, just make the rotation as an effect with the same number of copies, then expand.

From your dial it looks like something close to 360/50, but that is 7.2, so I believe your dial is a certain fraction of a full circle.

L

leandro.bAuthor

Participant

Hi Jacob, thanks for your support!

This specific dial has 230 degrees with 32 subdivisions (7,1875 each).
It's just an example. I have other versions with the same issue.
But I believe I can achieve the results I need with the workarounds you shared. Thanks!

Anyway, I think would be very useful if Adobe could add more precision to the rotation tool.
I suspect it is not an isolated case.

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

You are welcome, Leandro.

I can see that the numbers give an exact value in this case, but even in such a case I find it easier (and safer) to let Illy do the calculation (and she is always eager to help); in other words, just insert 230/32 instead of using a calculator or dividing in your head/by hand (with the danger of mishitting the right number keys).

"I think would be very useful if Adobe could add more precision to the rotation tool."

I have no recollection of any case where Illy has failed with regard to rotation precision when the calculation has been left to her.

We have had a great number of cases concerning accurate instrument dials with all sorts of different challenges (including adatation to replicate/improve old existing dials and similar, including amazingly different shapes).

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Leandro,

To see that Illy (job description Adobe Illustrator) gives you the full accuracy that you give her, you can do this, Smart Guides being your friends:

1) Create a square, then apply Object>Transform>Rotate and insert 7.1875, and press Enter;

2) Hold Ctrl/Cmd and press D thrice, this will give a total of 4 rotations;

3) With the Line Segment Tool ClickDrag left to right along the lower side from Anchor Point to Anchor Point, snapping to both;

4) DoubleClick somewhere on the Artboard with the Line Segment Tool, and enjoy the 28.75 degrees = 4 * 7.185 degrees; 4*7.19 = 28.76.

And remember to never insert the rounded value, always use the fullest possible value, or even better if applicable, the exact value.

How did you arrive at 7.185? I believe you may be able to get closer still.

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

I don't believe that there is but given that the human eye can't even register the minute difference in rotational angle you're talking about I am wondering why you have the need for this? Or is this purely an academic exercise?

L

leandro.bAuthor

Participant

Hi Bill,

I'm working with some accurate instrument dials.
I agree that a single step doesn't make much difference for the human eye. But when you duplicate the angle, you duplicate the error. At the end of the scale you have a considerable difference.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded