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Leanne5CE2
Known Participant
May 24, 2021
Answered

Free transform perspective tool missing ?

  • May 24, 2021
  • 5 replies
  • 17178 views

I'm on Illustrator 25.2.3. This tool is missing. I can't find it anywhere, even when I go to rebuild my toolbar and click advanced - there's no option for this tool. Seems to have disappeared completely.  (Yes, I already looked under the free transform tool.) This update is super buggy on Mac Big Sur 11.2.3. 


    Correct answer nicklawmusic

    Don't know if you managed to solve this but I've spent around 40 minutes trying to get to the bottom of it, only to discover that people are right when they say when you click on the object then the Free Transform tool, a little popup toolbar should appear (as long as you've selected the Advance toolbar).

    However, after following these instructions and tearing what is left of my hair out, I discovered that it was hiding behind my main toolbar, which is why I couldn't see it and why it looked like Illustrator wasn't doing anything.

     

    Hopefully this reply will help anyone else searching for it and having the same headache that I've just had for 40 minutes.

    5 replies

    A
    adams61544729
    Participant
    February 14, 2025

    its hidding

    SBRudy
    SBRudy
    Participating Frequently
    March 3, 2023

    Experiencing the same issue of not being able to find the Perspective Distort tool. I moved all menus, reset preferences. I've selected advanced within the toolbars, clicked the three dots to see if its hidden there, does not even show up. I've even gone back to previous versions of Illustrator only to have no success. I don't know what to do anymore. It's like it doesn't even exist within my versions of Illustrator....

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 3, 2023
      quote

      Experiencing the same issue of not being able to find the Perspective Distort tool. I moved all menus, reset preferences. I've selected advanced within the toolbars, clicked the three dots to see if its hidden there, does not even show up. I've even gone back to previous versions of Illustrator only to have no success. I don't know what to do anymore. It's like it doesn't even exist within my versions of Illustrator....


      By @SBRudy

       

      Window > Toolbars > Advanced

      Graphic Squirrel
      Graphic Squirrel
      Inspiring
      September 13, 2023

      I will concur. Using the bleeding edge most recent version of Illustrator, and there is no Perspective Distort tool to be found. Preferences reset. Workspace default. Advanced Toolbar. Tore away the Free transform toolbar tool into a floating menu. NOWHERE. It boggles my mind that whenever someone posts a problem, the automatic assumption is that the user is doing something wrong. I took a couple years off from the Adobe suite, only to find Illustrator to be almost unusably buggy, and this just adds to the pile of complaints.


      Maybe this will help: I clicked on the Free Transform button (nothing happened).  Looked behind the Toolbar only to find...nothing.  Then I created a random shape, selected it, and clicked on the Free Transform button...and peeking from behind the Toolbar was the options panel.  So it appears you have to have something selected before the options will pop up.  Maybe that is common knowledge, but it wasn't self-evident to me.  I know how frustrating it can be, so hopefully this will help someone.  

      GS

        nicklawmusic
        nicklawmusicCorrect answer
        Participant
        January 18, 2022

        Don't know if you managed to solve this but I've spent around 40 minutes trying to get to the bottom of it, only to discover that people are right when they say when you click on the object then the Free Transform tool, a little popup toolbar should appear (as long as you've selected the Advance toolbar).

        However, after following these instructions and tearing what is left of my hair out, I discovered that it was hiding behind my main toolbar, which is why I couldn't see it and why it looked like Illustrator wasn't doing anything.

         

        Hopefully this reply will help anyone else searching for it and having the same headache that I've just had for 40 minutes.

          S
          Studio.Earthling
          Participant
          February 15, 2022

          Your comment just saved me the 40 minute headache you suffered. My perspective transform tools were also hiding behind the main toolbar. Thank you!

            Ashutosh_Mishra
            Ashutosh_Mishra
            Inspiring
            June 4, 2021

            Hi there,

             

            Sorry to hear about your experience. In addition to the suggestion given by Monika, you may try resetting the preferences of the app & see how it goes.

            Please follow this help article to do so. Hope it helps.

             

            Regards,

            Ashutosh

            J
            Ji24994980qkve
            Participant
            July 19, 2022

              

              Monika Gause
              Community Expert
              Monika GauseCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              May 24, 2021

              The screenshot shows the additional touch toolbar of the free transform tool. It will be visible as soon as you select and object and choose the free transform tool.

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