Matching and Aligning Transformations

You can align the transformations of objects using commands in the Transform menu. You can match the transformations of the selected objects to another one, or you can align a group of objects together.

Matching Transformations

Matching an object's transformations to another changes its local transformations so that it shares the same global size, orientation, or position as a target object you pick.

To match transformations

Select one or more objects.
Choose one of the following commands from the Transform menu:
- Match All Transforms matches all of the selected objects transformations to the target object in global space.
- Match Scaling sets the selected objects' global scaling values to match the target.
- Match Rotation sets the selected objects' global rotation values to match the target.
- Match Translation sets the selected objects' global translation values to match the target.
Pick the target object.

NoteTo match object centers, activate Center on the Select panel before choosing the command. For more information about moving object centers, see Center Manipulation.

Aligning Objects

You can reposition a group of objects so that the bottom, top, right, left, or center of their bounding boxes are aligned. Aligning the bottoms of objects' bounding boxes along the X axis, for example, is a quick way to position a group of objects onto a flat surface, such as a table.

To align objects

Select the objects to be aligned.
Choose Transform Align Objects.
In the Align dialog box that opens, click the appropriate button for aligning all objects, or all except the first selected.
Toggle the Which Axis parameters to select each axis to which you want the objects aligned.
In the What to Align - on Affected Objects controls, choose the part of the objects to align: their maximum boundary, minimum boundary, or middle, respective to each axis.

In the What to Align to - Reference controls, choose how the alignment is to take place, and where.

The following examples assume the middle of each object is being aligned along the Y axis:

	Minimum - of All Objects aligns the bottom of all object bounding boxes with the object whose bounding-box bottom has the lowest axis value.
	Middle - of All Objects aligns objects according to the average midpoint of all their bounding boxes.
	Maximum - of All Objects aligns the top of all object bounding boxes with the object whose bounding box top has the highest axis value.
	Minimum - of the First Selected Object aligns all object bounding-box bottoms with that of the first object selected.
	Middle - of the First Selected Object aligns the midpoint of all object bounding boxes with that of the first object selected.
	Maximum - of the First Selected Object aligns all object bounding-box tops with that of the first object selected.