Simple Symetrical Shapes

**Egg Bramhill** · 14 April 2015, 12:57 AM

THIS LINK contains some common basic shapes that are difficult to create using the quick shape tool as the quick shape tool has a different method of determining the shapes centre point.

Please use as you feel fit.

Egg

**angelize** · 14 April 2015, 05:52 AM

Hi Egg what a good idea! I have posted a copy of your file here at TG so members don't have to go to another site to get your generous gift. I've also added a screen shot.

**Egg Bramhill** · 14 April 2015, 11:14 AM

I didn't post it here as TG has such a convoluted attachment system.

**gwpriester** · 14 April 2015, 12:39 PM

Thanks Egg. That has always bothered me. Especially with working with star shapes and triangles.

**Rik** · 14 April 2015, 02:33 PM

I've not opened the file yet, but, it seems that grouping the shape with a circle (of no stroke) seems the be the answer to this rotating problem.
And like Gary, this has indeed bothered me over the years.

Thanks, Egg.

**Egg Bramhill** · 14 April 2015, 02:59 PM

Yes Rik, the problem is centring the shape in the first place

**mikeymopar** · 14 April 2015, 03:38 PM

forgive me if i'm not seeing this right but the centers are correct for rotating any of the quick shapes as long as it's symmetrical along the horizontal and vertical axes (essentially an even number of points). that being said, the third and fourth objects in the pic above don't need a circle around them. the centers are correct and the objects will rotate properly.....right?

**Rik** · 14 April 2015, 04:55 PM

Mikey: Youy're absolutely correct. Anything with an odd number of sides or points, is what will not rotate about its centre.

i.e. Triangle, Pentagon, the five point Star etc...

So, you're not missing anything.
It's just nice to know how to make those awkward shapes behave properly.

**Acorn** · 14 April 2015, 04:59 PM

Egg, I understand why you have created this useful suite of shapes. I have used the same myself.

Quick Shapes, however, can be rotated around their correct centre if you use the Quick Shape Tool setting of Size & rotation and twiddling with the second box's value.
I invariably forget to check the Status Bar but I Ctrl+Z and double click the offending Shape to get to the right toolbar.

Acorn

**mwenz** · 14 April 2015, 05:05 PM

I appreciate every asset and technique shared with the community. Unless I am missing something, I don't see the technique for centering these shapes in the circles.

However, it seems to me in a graphic design application that the solution itself is seeking a problem. I personally don't care how the shapes rotate. I'm going to move them into place and likely size them anyway. So for me, it's all relative.