Rotate an object

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You can rotate vector objects and text objects in Microsoft Expression Blend in the following ways:

  • Use the Rotate transform under Transform in the Properties panel to rotate the object with precision.

  • Use the Selection tool in the Tools panel to rotate the object freely on the artboard.

To rotate an object with precision

  1. Select the object that you want to rotate by using either the Selection tool Cc295237.2ff91340-477e-4efa-a0f7-af20851e4daa(en-us,Expression.30).png or the Direct Selection tool Cc295237.6dd6571f-c116-451d-8dd2-1f88b8406362(en-us,Expression.30).png. To select more than one object, hold the CTRL key.

  2. In the Properties panel, under Transform, click RotateCc295237.321b430b-5c8e-47dc-93f8-0e85ac32cca5(en-us,Expression.30).png.

  3. Rotate the object to the desired angle by doing one or more of the following:

    • Drag the pointer on the small circular diagram to rotate the object to the desired angle.

    • Enter a numeric value in the Angle box to rotate the object to a specific angle. You can enter either positive or negative values to rotate the object clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively.

To rotate an object freely on the artboard

  1. Select the object that you want to rotate by using the Selection tool Cc295237.2ff91340-477e-4efa-a0f7-af20851e4daa(en-us,Expression.30).png. To select more than one object, hold the CTRL key.

  2. Move your mouse pointer over one of the corner handles of the object's bounding box until the pointer becomes a rotation handle Cc295237.888cbf6b-c442-424d-977d-61d942703c4a(en-us,Expression.30).png.

  3. Drag the handle to rotate the object to the desired angle. Hold down the SHIFT key as you rotate the object if you want to rotate it in 15 degree increments.