How do the Transform Objects tools work in VCarve Pro & Aspire: Move, Scale, Rotate, Mirror, and the Transform mode keyboard shortcuts?

Overview

The Drawing tab has tools for precisely moving, scaling, rotating and mirroring vectors, bitmaps and the grayscale previews of 3D components. Knowing when to use the interactive handles and when to use the numeric forms is key to an efficient workflow.

Selection Mode and Interactive Handles

Selection Mode is the standard mode. Click to select an object. Press Esc to return to Selection Mode from Node Editing or Transform mode. A selected object shows a bounding box with handles (the interactive selection transform handles):

• Middle: drag to move (hold Alt to move along one axis only). Click a second time to switch to the rotational center and drag the Rotational Anchor to reposition it
• White corner handles: scale proportionally (hold Alt to scale non-proportionally, Shift to scale around the center)
• White edge handles: scale in one axis (hold Shift to scale proportionally)
• Black corner handles: rotate about the rotation center (hold Alt to rotate in 15° increments)

Press T to open the Scale form (Set Size) for precise numeric input.

Set Size (Scale Form)

For precise sizing:

1. Select the object(s)
2. Press T or open the Set Size tool
3. Choose a scaling mode: Scale selection (the whole selection scales as one group) or Scale items individually
4. Enter exact Width and Height values
5. Set the Anchor, the point on the selection's bounding box that stays fixed while it is resized
6. Apply

Move Selection

Press M to open the Move form. Choose the Anchor point of the bounding box and either an absolute position or an incremental move.

Mirror Tool

Mirrors vectors, bitmaps or component grayscale previews to a new orientation, using axes of symmetry relative to the bounding box of the selection. Select the object(s), then open the Mirror form.

Options:

• Create a mirrored copy: leaves the original and adds the mirrored version. Without it, the selection itself is flipped
• Use Rotated Bounds (single object only): flips around the object's local rotated bounds
• Flip About Line: select the vector, hold Shift and select a line vector to use as the mirror

Keys: H mirrors horizontally and V vertically. Add Ctrl to create a mirror copy. Add Shift to mirror around the center of the material instead of the selection (Shift+H, Shift+V, Ctrl+Shift+H, Ctrl+Shift+V).

Use for:

• Creating the left and right halves of a symmetrical design from one side
• Flipping text for double-sided machining
• Creating mirror-image decorative panels for cabinet doors
• Making a symmetric logo from a one-sided sketch

Rotate Tool

Interactive rotation: click an already-selected object a second time to get the rotation handles (the blue solid squares at the far corners). Drag to rotate freely. Hold Alt while dragging to snap to 15° steps.

Precise rotation: press R to open the Rotate form:

• Choose the Pivot Point: the corners or center of the selection, or exact X and Y coordinates (you can also drag the pivot point in the 2D view; hold Shift to disable snapping while you drag it)
• Choose the Type of Rotation: Relative (turn by the angle) or Absolute (set the rotation to that angle). A positive angle is counterclockwise
• 9 and 0 rotate the selected object 45° counterclockwise and clockwise

Grouping and Ungrouping

• G: group the selected objects. The group acts as a single object for selection, movement, scaling and rotation
• U: ungroup to the objects' original layers (sub-groups stay grouped)
• Ctrl+U: ungroup to the group's layer
• Shift+U and Ctrl+Shift+U: deep ungroup (sub-groups also ungrouped), to the original layers or to the group's layer

Ungroup before editing individual vectors within a group.

Key Keyboard Shortcuts for Transform Operations

Note: Ctrl+D opens the Drawing tab. It does not duplicate objects.

Distort Object Tool

The Distort Object tool bends and flexes a vector or component using a distortion envelope that you edit with the standard node editing tools. It is in both VCarve Pro and Aspire.

1. Select one or more vectors or components (you cannot mix vectors and components in one operation)
2. Open the Distort Object tool and create the initial envelope. Bounding Box Distortion creates a four-node rectangle around the selection; other modes use curves
3. Use the node editing tools to move, add or edit the envelope's nodes and spans. The object distorts to match the envelope
4. If the objects are on different layers, the result goes on the layer of the first object selected

Use for:

• Perspective-correcting a logo that needs to follow a slanted sign shape
• Fitting a design into a non-rectangular decorative panel
• Matching a design to a non-parallel board shape