How to Rotate and Skew Objects in Your Embroidery Designs

In DRAWings PRO XII, you can easily transform your embroidery designs by rotating or slanting (skewing) specific parts. This guide explains how to use the Selection tool to modify the orientation and perspective of your objects.

1. Select Your Objects

Before applying any transformation, you must select the parts of the design you wish to edit.

1. Enable the Selection Tool.
2. Click on a single object to select it.
3. To select multiple objects, click and drag a rectangle around the desired area.
4. Once selected, you will see a highlighted rectangle around your objects featuring various control handles.

2. Rotating Objects

You can rotate objects freely around their center or a specific pivot point.

Basic Rotation:

1. Hover your mouse cursor over any of the corner handles of the selection rectangle.
2. Move the cursor slightly to the outside of the handle until the cursor changes to a rotation icon (curved arrow).
3. Click and drag to rotate the selection. By default, the object rotates around its center.

Advanced Rotation Techniques:

• Custom Pivot Point: You will see a small marker indicating the rotation center. Click and drag this marker to a new location. When you rotate the object now, it will pivot around this new point.
• Rotate from Opposite Corner: While dragging to rotate, hold down the Shift key. This forces the object to rotate based on the opposite corner rather than the center.
• Create a Rotated Copy: While rotating, press the D key once. When you release the mouse button, the original object remains in place, and a new rotated copy is created.

Useful Tip: Moving the rotation center is particularly helpful when creating circular patterns or arranging petals around a flower center.

3. Skewing (Slanting) Objects

Skewing allows you to slant an object horizontally or vertically to create a sense of perspective or speed.

Basic Skewing:

1. Hover your mouse cursor over the handle located in the middle of any side of the selection rectangle.
2. Move the cursor slightly to the outside until it changes to a double-sided arrow icon.
3. Click and drag sideways (or up/down) to slant the object.

Advanced Skewing Techniques:

• Custom Skew Point: Just like rotation, skewing is calculated based on the rotation center. If you move the center point before skewing, the object will slant relative to that specific point.
• Skew from Opposite Side: While dragging to skew, hold down the Shift key. This anchors the object to the opposite side of the selection frame while slanting.
• Create a Skewed Copy: While skewing, press the D key once. Upon releasing the mouse, a skewed duplicate of the object will be generated.

Summary of Shortcuts