How-to

Vector Ink Selection Tool: Move, Resize, Rotate & Align Like a Pro

Introduction

The Selection Tool is your everyday driver in Vector Ink. It’s how you select, move, resize, rotate—and it unlocks powerful actions like multi-select, target-based alignment, scale from center, and anchor-based transforms. Whether you’re on desktop, tablet, or phone, this quick guide shows you how to work faster and more precisely.

Select, Move, Rotate, Resize

  • Select: Tap/click any object. Tap the canvas to deselect.
  • Move: Drag anywhere on the canvas while selected.
  • Rotate: Drag the small circle above the selection; snapping occurs every 45°.
  • Resize: Drag handles on the bounding box. If you only see one handle, tap it to toggle all handles.

Precision Controls: Constrain, Scale from Center, Anchor

  • Constrain: Maintain aspect ratio while resizing. Toggle via the action menu, or use the single-handle constrain mode.
  • Scale from Center: Expands/shrinks from the object’s center—great for symmetrical adjustments.
  • Anchor: Activate Anchor, drag the small circle to any point, and all rotations and scales happen from that point. Perfect for hinge-like rotations or pivot-based scaling.

Multi-Select & Selection Box

  • Select Multiple: Enable the action, then tap objects to add/remove them from the selection.
  • Selection Box: Drag a marquee on empty canvas—any objects fully inside the box are selected when you release.

Target Selection for Alignment

Use Target Selection to align objects relative to a specific object instead of the canvas. Select several objects, choose a target (e.g., a logo mark), then apply Align actions—the selection snaps to your target’s bounds for pixel-perfect layout.

Touch & Keyboard Tips

  • Touch: Drag a handle with one finger; touch the canvas with a second finger to constrain proportionally.
  • Undo: Two-finger tap on mobile; or use the top toolbar.
  • Keyboard: Hold Shift while resizing to constrain proportionally.

Troubleshooting & Pro Tips

  • Only one handle showing? Tap it to reveal all handles (toggles constrain mode).
  • Rotations feel off? Set an Anchor point first, then rotate for exact pivots.
  • Aligning to canvas by mistake? Enable Target Selection and pick the object you want to align to.
  • Accidental skew/stretch? Toggle Constrain or hold Shift during resize.

Quick Practice: 3-Minute Drill

  1. Draw three shapes (circle, square, star). Multi-select them, then Align Center horizontally.
  2. Pick the square as your Target Selection, then align the circle to the target’s left and the star to its right.
  3. Activate Anchor on the star and place it at the circle’s center. Rotate the star to see pivoted rotation in action.

Ready to Put It to Work?

Open a recent logo or icon and try these moves: constrain-resize a mark, set an anchor to pivot a highlight, then align your text to a target object for a polished lockup. When flow clicks, everything else in Vector Ink feels easier.

Launch Vector Ink and start building cleaner layouts, tighter logo lockups, and faster edits—right now.

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