How do I change the direction of a pattern in Illustrator?

To change the direction (effectively, rotate) a pattern in Illustrator, you can use the Transform panel. Here's how:

Select the Object: Choose the object filled with the pattern you want to modify.
Access the Transform Panel: Go to Window > Transform.
Rotate the Pattern: There are a couple of ways to achieve this:
- Using the Rotate Tool:
  - Double-click the Rotate Tool in the toolbar.
  - Enter the desired rotation angle in the Rotate dialog box.
  - Crucially, deselect "Transform Objects" and ensure "Transform Patterns" is selected. This will rotate only the pattern and not the underlying object.
  - Click "OK".
- Using the Transform Panel:
  - In the Transform panel, find the rotation angle field (it looks like a dial).
  - Enter the desired rotation angle.
  - As above, ensure that only the patterns are being transformed and not the objects themselves. This may require double-clicking the "Scale" or "Rotate" tool to open the options dialog. Within the options dialog, only "Patterns" should be checked.
Adjust as Needed: If the pattern doesn't look quite right, adjust the rotation angle until you achieve the desired direction.

Important Considerations:

Transform Objects vs. Transform Patterns: Pay close attention to whether you are transforming the object, the pattern, or both. Only "Transform Patterns" should be selected if you want to change the pattern's direction within the existing object.
Preview: Utilize the "Preview" option in the Rotate dialog box to see the changes before applying them.
Scaling and other Transformations: You can also scale and shear patterns in a similar way, by only selecting the "Transform Patterns" option.

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