Skew an object

Skewing (or shearing) is a transformation that distorts an object by a specified angle from an axis. For example, when you skew a square, it becomes a parallelogram.

To skew an object

  1. Select the object that you want to skew, or shear, by using either the Selection tool 2ff91340-477e-4efa-a0f7-af20851e4daa or the Direct Selection tool 6dd6571f-c116-451d-8dd2-1f88b8406362.

  2. In the Properties panel, under Transform, click the Skew tab 90c478da-1e6b-4b59-8322-445053058a6d.

  3. Enter the desired skew values, in pixels (or, device-independent units that are approximately 1/96 inch), in the boxes for the X, Y, and Z (only for three-dimensional objects) properties.

Tip

If you don't have to enter precise values for the object that you want to skew, you can drag the skew handles 2be41f49-8a61-4966-bf08-598f4253b610 on the object to freely skew the object to the desired shape on the artboard. Hold the Alt key if you want to maintain the position of the center point (instead of maintaining the position of the opposite corner or edge).