How Do I Change Shape Form in Illustrator?

You can change the shape of existing objects in Adobe Illustrator primarily using the Properties panel and various tools. Here's a breakdown of the methods:

Using the Properties Panel

1. Select the Shape: Use the Selection Tool (V) to click on the shape you want to modify.
2. Access the Properties Panel: If the Properties panel isn't visible, go to Window > Properties.
3. Transform Section: Look for the "Transform" section in the Properties panel. Here you can directly modify the shape.
4. Modify Dimensions:
   • Width (W): Change the shape's width.
   • Height (H): Change the shape's height.
   • Constrain Width and Height Proportions: Click the chain icon between W and H to maintain the shape's original proportions while resizing.
5. Rotation:
   • Angle: Specify the rotation angle in degrees.
6. Position (X and Y):
   • Change the X and Y coordinates to reposition the shape on the artboard.
7. Corner Radius:
   • For Rectangles: Directly adjust the corner radius values in the Transform panel to round the corners. You can unlink these to adjust each corner individually.
8. More Options: Click the "More Options" button (three dots) in the Transform section for additional controls, such as shearing and scaling options.

Using Direct Selection Tool

1. Select the Direct Selection Tool (A): This tool allows you to select individual anchor points on a shape.
2. Select Anchor Points: Click on the anchor points you want to move. You can shift-click to select multiple points.
3. Move Anchor Points: Drag the selected anchor points to reshape the object.
4. Adjust Bezier Handles: If the anchor points have Bezier handles (as is common with curves), you can drag these handles to adjust the curvature of the shape's segments.

Using Shape Builder Tool

1. Select Shapes: Select all the shapes you want to combine, subtract, or intersect.
2. Choose Shape Builder Tool (Shift + M): Select the Shape Builder tool.
3. Merge Shapes: Drag across overlapping areas to merge them into a single shape.
4. Subtract Shapes: Hold down the Alt (Option) key and drag across an area to subtract it from the shape.
5. Divide Shapes: Click on overlapping areas without dragging to divide them into separate shapes.

Using the Free Transform Tool

1. Select the Free Transform Tool (E): This tool offers various modes for transforming shapes.
2. Free Transform: Allows for free-form scaling, rotation, and skewing.
3. Perspective Distort: Allows you to adjust the perspective of the shape.
4. Free Distort: Allows you to distort the shape by dragging its corners.

Examples

• Rounding Corners of a Rectangle: Select the rectangle, go to the Properties panel > Transform, and adjust the corner radius values.
• Creating a Custom Shape from Two Circles: Draw two overlapping circles, select them, and use the Shape Builder tool to merge, subtract, or intersect the areas to create a new shape.
• Changing a Square into a Parallelogram: Select the square, select the Free Transform tool and use the "Free Distort" mode to drag one of the corners to create the parallelogram shape.