This article describe how to use object handles in Expression Blend
When
you create a shape, path, control or layout panel, it's enclosed with
eight object handles, as shown in Figure 1. I will be describing you how
to use them to handle object.
When you create an object or
path, the object handles do not show, only the nodes show. To make the
object handles visible, select the path by clicking the Selection tool
in the Toolbox.
Figure 1: Showing Eight object handles
Below is the list of ways you can handle object or path to transform its shape:
-
Resize or scale an object
Resizing and scaling are two different ways in Microsoft Expression Blend to change the size of an object:
Resize
Resizing
an object changes only the object's dimensions (width and height). For
example, when you resize an object that has a specific stroke thickness,
the stroke thickness stays the same when the object resizes.
To
resize the object select the object with Selection tool. To change the
width and height of the object you have to move the mouse to the object
height and width respectively. The below figure show the horizontal
arrow which allows to change the width of the object and vertical arrow
to change the height of the object,
Figure 2: Showing how to change the object width and height
Scaling
Scaling
applies a transform to the object that resizes the object based on a
multiple of the initial X, Y, and Z (three-dimensional objects only)
values. For example, when you scale an object that has a specific stroke
thickness, the stroke thickness scales when the object scales. This
means that if you scale the object only by its x-axis value (the
object's width), the stroke thickness for the width of the object will
differ from the stroke thickness for the object's height (y-axis).
To
scale the object move your mouse to the any corner of the object. You
can drag from any corner to change the scaling of the object. See the
figure below
Figure 3: Showing how to scale the object from corners
Note:
Hold down the SHIFT key to constrain the object's proportions as you
resize it. Hold down the ALT key to maintain the center point.
To rotate the object
select the object you want to rotate with the Selection tool. If you
want to select more than one object press Ctrl key and select the
objects.
To rotate the object bring the cursor to any corner of
the object and shown in the below figure, rotate the object at desired
angle you want. For precision you can use Properties panel and enter
value numerically.
Figure 4: Showing how to rotate the object
-
Change the center point of an object
When you rotate or flip an
object in Microsoft Expression Blend, the object moves relative to a
fixed point, called the object's center point. When you select an
object, the object's center point is marked by a white circle in the
object on the artboard. By default, an object's center point is located
at the object's center. You can move an object's center point in order
to rotate or flip the object around a different point.
Move the
mouse over the small round point in the center of the object. This is
called the center of rotation. When the cursor becomes four arrows
pointing up, down, right and left, click and drag the center of rotation
to the desired location of your choice.
Figure 5: Showing how to relocate the center of rotation of the object
-
Adjust the corner handles of a rectangle
To make the corner of the
rectangle round, click and drag a corner handle to curve the corners of a
rectangle. For precision you can use Appearance palette and enter value
numerically to have round corners.
Figure 6: Showing how to rotate the 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.
Move
the mouse to the middle object handle and when the cursor becomes a
double arrow with a slanted line than drag to skew the object or shape.
You can use any side to skew the object
Figure 7: Showing how to skew the object
Note:
In the transform palette in the Properties panel, you can also perform
all of the above transformation except the adjusting corner handles. You
can use the Appearance palette for that.
Conclusion
Hope
the article would have helped you in understanding how to use object
handles in Expression Blend. I will be contributing more articles to
make your Expression Blend learning easy and interesting. Have Fun while
you learn.