Making Multiple Copies

Use the Copy and Paste commands to make multiple copies of selected objects through the Clipboard. If you want more control over placement, number of copies, scaling or rotation, use the Duplicate and Replicate commands to make multiple copies.

• With a selection on the Clipboard, choose Paste to insert the selection in the center of the active document’s current view. Repeat the Paste command to make multiple copies.
• The Duplicate command copies selections immediately and lets you space copies evenly. The Replicate command lets you scale, rotate, and offset multiple copies.

Duplicating Selections

The Duplicate command quickly copies selected objects into the same document, without affecting the contents of the Clipboard.

The Duplicate command offsets copies a preset distance horizontally and vertically from the original. You can move the copy (without deselecting it) to adjust the offset distance and direction and then repeat the Duplicate command to make more evenly-spaced copies.

You can change the Duplicate command’s preset offset values. (See Setting Preferences.)

To Duplicate and Space Copies Evenly:

1. Select one or more vector, text, paint, or group objects to copy.
2. Choose Edit | Duplicate. Canvas X Draw duplicates the selection and offsets the copy a preset distance from the original.
3. The copy must remain selected as you drag it or use the keyboard arrow keys to move it into position. The new position establishes the offset distance and direction from the original selection.
4. Choose Edit | Duplicate again. Canvas X Draw creates the next copy using the offset defined from the original selection to the first copy. Repeat this step to create additional evenly-spaced copies.

To Duplicate Selected Objects with Modifier Key:

You can duplicate an object by pressing a modifier key as you drag the object. When an object is selected, press a modifier key to duplicate and resize it as you drag a handle. In Freeform mode, you can press a modifier key to duplicate while rotating or skewing an object.

1. Select the objects you want to duplicate.
2. Press Option as you drag the objects.

To Make Multiple Copies While Dragging:

Select the objects you want to duplicate. Press Option+ Command as you drag the objects.

To Duplicate While Resizing:

1. Select an object to duplicate.
2. Begin to drag a handle on the object’s bounding box to the size you want the duplicate to be.
3. As you drag, press and hold Option. When you release the mouse button and the modifier key, the duplicate object appears in front of the original.

To Duplicate While Rotating or Skewing:

1. Select an object and choose Effects | Freeform to put the object in Freeform mode.
2. Point to a handle and press Option as you drag the handle.
   • To rotate the object: Drag one of the four corner handles.
   • To skew the object horizontally: Drag a horizontal skew handle to the left or right.
   • To skew vertically: Drag a vertical skew handle up or down.

The duplicated object rotates or skews depending on which handle you drag. You cannot rotate and skew the object at the same time. When you release the mouse, the duplicate is in front of the original.

Duplicate with Transform

You can now create duplicates of objects that have been skewed, rotated, or offset.

1. Select the original object.
2. Duplicate the object.
3. Select the duplicate and apply a transformation, such as rotation, to the duplicate object.
4. Choose Edit | Duplicate with Transform.

The duplicate object is then duplicated as well as transformed.

Remember that each time you choose Edit | Duplicate with Transform, the duplicate object is duplicated and transformed once again; e.g., duplicate an object and then rotate the duplicate by 20°. Choose Duplicate with Transform and the new duplicate is transformed by another 20°.

To Create Multiple Duplicates:

After you duplicate an object using a modifier key, make more copies with the same offset distance, angle of rotation, or skew factor.

1. Select the duplicated object.
2. Choose Edit | Duplicate. Canvas X Draw creates another duplicate and applies the same offset distance, angle of rotation, or skew factor.

Scaling, Rotating, and Offsetting Copies

The Replicate command offers powerful capabilities for duplicating objects. Use the Replicate dialog box to set the number of copies and to rotate, scale, and position copies with one command.

To Replicate a Selection:

1. Select one or more objects to copy and choose Edit | Replicate.
2. In the Replicate dialog box, specify the number of copies. Enter the scaling, rotation, and offset values you want to apply. For information on these settings, refer to the table below.
   • To preview the replication: Click Apply. Canvas X Draw draws the copies and the dialog box stays open. You can change settings and click Apply to preview the new settings.
   • To cancel the replication: Click Cancel. Canvas X Draw closes the Replicate dialog box and erases preview copies.
3. Click OK to copy the selection and close the Replicate dialog box. The original object is deselected and the copies are selected.

Replicate Options

To Replicate and Position Objects:

You can replicate objects and then strategically position them according to specified X/Y coordinates.

To Replicate and Position an Object:

Select an object and then choose Edit | Replicate and Position.

Replicating and Positioning Options