How to Move, Scale, and Duplicate Objects

In DRAWings PRO XII, you can perform all scaling and positioning operations using the Tool Options bar for numerical precision. However, for a faster workflow, you can manipulate objects directly on the design canvas using the mouse.

This guide explains how to select, move, resize, and duplicate objects using visual handles and keyboard shortcuts.

1. Select Objects

Before making any changes, you must be in Selection Mode.

1. Single Selection: Click once on any part of your design to select it.
2. Multiple Selection: Click and drag a box around multiple parts to select them simultaneously.
3. Visual Confirmation: Once selected, a highlighted rectangle (bounding box) will appear around the object(s). This box contains various “handles” (small squares) used for transforming the design.

2. Move Objects

You can move objects freely or constrain them to a specific axis.

• Free Move: Move your mouse cursor over the artwork (inside the bounding box but not on a handle). The cursor will change to a multi-directional arrow. Click and drag the object to the desired location.
• Constrained Move (Straight Lines): To move an object perfectly straight along a horizontal or vertical line, hold down the Ctrl key while dragging.

3. Scale and Resize

You can change the size of your design proportionally or stretch it freely.

• Proportional Sizing:
  1. Hover your mouse over any of the corner handles. The cursor will change to a bi-directional diagonal arrow.
  2. Click and drag outward to increase the size or inward to reduce it.
  3. Using corner handles automatically maintains the original proportions (aspect ratio) of the design.
• Free Sizing (Non-Proportional):
  • Method A (Side Handles): Click and drag the handles located in the middle of the sides (top, bottom, left, or right). This will stretch or squash the design in that specific direction.
  • Method B (Corner Handles + Alt): If you want to change both dimensions freely using a corner handle, hold down the Alt key while dragging.

4. Creating Duplicates on the Fly

DRAWings PRO XII allows you to clone objects instantly while transforming them using the D key.

• Duplicate while Moving: Click and drag to move an object. Before releasing the mouse button, press the D key once. A duplicate will be dropped at the new position.
• Duplicate while Resizing (Mirroring): You can use this feature to create mirrored objects.
  1. Select an object.
  2. Drag a side handle across the object (flipping it).
  3. Press the D key before releasing the mouse.
  4. This creates a transformed (mirrored) duplicate while leaving the original object intact.

💡 Useful Tips

• Visual Cues: Always watch your mouse cursor. It changes shape to indicate which action (Move, Resize, or Stretch) will happen when you click.
• Opposite Direction: When using size handles, you can always drag past the object’s center to resize towards the opposite direction (flipping the object).
• Quick Clone: The D key function is the fastest way to create patterns or symmetrical designs without using copy/paste menus.