Does anyone know how duplicate while rotating?

[tjw100]

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

[Laura Coyle. · Accepted solution]

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]

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]

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