How to Distort and Skew Images in Illustrator CS5

You can skew and distort images in Illustrator CS5 via the Transformation menu.

Adobe Illustrator CS5 lets you make modifications to images directly within the program including slanting and distorting. Slanting an image is also known as skewing. Distorting stretches the image from one of its sides. The two modifications transform the image only within Illustrator, and this doesn't affect the saved version of the image. Once the image is to your liking, the transformation, as well as the Illustrator file, is ready for printing, saving or sending the file to a commercial printing service.

Instructions

Skew

1. Click the image you want to skew with your computer's mouse to select it.

2. Click "Edit," "Transform" and "Skew." A handle icon will appear on the sides of the image.

3. Click and drag one of the side handles to skew the image to your liking.

4. Press the "Enter" or "Return" key on your computer's keyboard to set the image's skew setting. Click the "Commit" button to accept the transformation or the "Cancel" button to cancel the transformation.

Distort

1. Click the image you want to distort with your computer's mouse to select it.

2. Click "Edit," "Transform" and "Distort." A handle icon will appear on the corners of the image.

3. Click and drag one of the corner handles to distort the image to your liking.

4. Press the "Enter" or "Return" key on your computer's keyboard to set the image's distort setting. Click the "Commit" button to accept the transformation or the "Cancel" button to cancel the transformation.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also cancel a skew or distort transformation by clicking "Edit" and "Undo" immediately after clicking the "Commit" button.

References

• Help.Adobe: Scale, Rotate, Skew, Distort, Apply Perspective, or Warp

Resources

• Adobe: Learn Illustrator CS5