What happened to the "Free distort" function?

[Sofia35518337rlkx]

What happened to the "free distort" function?

There was a time (and a huge number of videos testify it) when pressing the "Free Transform Tool" Illustrator presented you with four other command button, among them the "free distort" function that allowed you to move the handles of your shape to distort it and create custom perspectives af whatever. 

Now, when you press the "Free Trasform Tool" nothing happens, and the function in itself is almost useless, it only scales or rotates the shape. 

Also the shortkeys that should work on that tool according to Adobe documentation, clearly do not work.

If you look at the "Effect" menu, you can find a "Free Distort" command.

"Good" you could think! 

No, think it again, beacause the functionality provided is ridiculous: a small window appears where you have to move the handlers to distort the shape. In a small window! Obviously the former (true) "Free Distort" function was different: you were able to change directly the shape of an object by moving the handlers on the target destiantion, now you may only go by trial an error working on a stupid litte dialog!

Unbelivable! Anyone knows why Adobe decided to allow such a shameful regress? How could that happen?

[Doug A Roberts]

There was a time (and a huge number of videos testify it) when pressing the "Free Transform Tool" Illustrator presented you with four other command button, among them the "free distort" function that allowed you to move the handles of your shape to distort it and create custom perspectives af whatever. 

By @Sofia35518337rlkx

You mean this?

It hasn't gone anywhere. Do you have an object selected? Can you show your workspace with the free transform tool active?

The free distort effect is a different function, not a replacement, and isn't new by a long stretch.

[Sofia35518337rlkx]

Sure, here goes my screenshot!

[Sofia35518337rlkx]

I got it. It was hiding behind another panel. Thank you al lot for you answer anyway 🙂

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

The Free Transform tool (F) is still there, but the panel with options can easily be hidden behind other floating panels.

What you call the new crap is actually the very old crap and is indeed in need for some updating.

[Sofia35518337rlkx]

...gosh, you are right, I feel very stupid! It was placed behind the main tool panel :-

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear that helped. And don't feel stupid, you are not the first one to whom this happened.

[Sofia35518337rlkx]

Thank you for your kind help! Have a nice day.