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Participating Frequently
September 1, 2020
Answered

Transform again not as it used to be

  • September 1, 2020
  • 7 replies
  • 1756 views

Previously when I used the the transform again command every transform action was repeated (move, scale, rotate, with/without copy). Now only the move command works. How can I fix this? 

Correct answer Kurt Gold

That means you are extending a (live shape) line with the Selection tool (black arrow), right?

 

In that case I can reproduce your issue, but I think the same behaviour was there in older versions of Illustrator that were providing live shapes.

 

There are a couple of solutions:

 

- Use the Direct Selection tool instead.

- Use the Free Transform tool.

- Use the Scale tool.

 

Then the Transform Again command should work as desired.

7 replies

ROKKOM
Participant
September 16, 2025

I've also noticed an issue using free transform to scale an object and using transform again to duplicate the action. In the past it would use the same pixel amount of increase to scale the object. Now free transform seems to be scaling the object based on a percentage instead of the pixel amount it increased.

In the example above the left result uses the transform panel. So instead of copying and pasting in place and using the free transform tool to scale, I'm using the transform properties panel to increase the squares width by 10px. When I use transform again it will scale the object by the pixel amount increase and work as expected. In the right result you'll see that free transform is based on the scaling percentage of its original size.

In the past it never worked this way. It would always increase by the pixel amount and not it's percentage increase. I want the old functionality back, this is new behavior is not helpful.

Abhishek Rao
Community Manager
Community Manager
September 17, 2025

Hi @ROKKOM,

 

Thanks for sharing the details and example, I can understand how this change in behavior would be frustrating when you're used to the earlier workflow. To look into this better, could you please confirm the version of Illustrator and the details of your OS? It would also help to know if this happens consistently with all files or only in certain cases. If possible, please share a short screen recording of the steps, so I can try to reproduce the exact behavior on our end. 

 

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 3, 2020

Indeed, Panda, at the moment you have to go different ways, but I'd recommend to report it on Uservoice.

 

In my view it is an unexpected behaviour (or even a bug).

Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Kurt GoldCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 2, 2020

That means you are extending a (live shape) line with the Selection tool (black arrow), right?

 

In that case I can reproduce your issue, but I think the same behaviour was there in older versions of Illustrator that were providing live shapes.

 

There are a couple of solutions:

 

- Use the Direct Selection tool instead.

- Use the Free Transform tool.

- Use the Scale tool.

 

Then the Transform Again command should work as desired.

Panda157FAuthor
Participating Frequently
September 3, 2020

Ok! Now I do understand!

Thanks everyone! I guess I have to update my use of the program to its current standard...

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 2, 2020

Nothing wrong with the file, works as expected.

Did you reset your preferences?

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/setting-preferences.html

Panda157FAuthor
Participating Frequently
September 2, 2020

I have reset the preferences but no change.  

If I scale a line (with the selection tool) the transform again will not transform any object but if I scale any other object (than a line) and use the transform again command any object (including lines) will be transformed). My colleagues have the same issue. I guess that I just have to change method...

Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2020

Can you share a sample.ai file that contains at least one of those "lines" that do not recognise the Transform Again command?

 

Also, do a test and quit Illustrator, restart your computer and try again.

Panda157FAuthor
Participating Frequently
September 2, 2020

https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/aeafcab6-3951-45be-649e-97a2e2258296 

It is just a line and unfortuantely 24.3 didn't make a difference

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2020

Try 24.3 or reset your preferences

Inspiring
September 3, 2020

Yes Reset your preferences:

1. Exit the application

2. Press and hold Alt+Control+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (macOS) as you start Adobe Software. You may be prompted to delete the current settings. The new preferences files are created when you start the application.

Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 3, 2020

No, Katie, your advice is not good in that case

 

Please read the entire thread and try to recreate it.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2020

Which version and system is it?

Panda157FAuthor
Participating Frequently
September 1, 2020

It is osX version 24.2.3

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2020

Just tried rotate and scale and see no issues with it.