Change transformation settings

All transformations originate from a fixed point on or near the object, called the reference point. The reference point is marked by an icon  when a transformation tool, such as the Scale tool, is active.

Reference point moved to center (left), and object scaled (right)

The last-selected reference point on the reference point locator becomes the new default reference point for all tools and objects. If you drag an object’s reference point icon to a custom location (not on an anchor point), the panel reference point returns to the default position once the current object is no longer selected. InDesign preserves the default reference point position for new documents so you don’t have to reset it.

The Transform panel orients an object to a spread’s pasteboard, where a horizontal line has a rotation angle of 0°. By default, this is true even if the object is nested inside a transformed container object (that is, if the object is part of a transformed group or pasted inside a transformed frame). For example, if you paste an unrotated graphic inside a frame, rotate the frame 10° with the graphic inside, and then select the graphic using the Direct Selection tool, the Transform panel displays the graphic’s rotation angle as 10°.

Object’s rotation angle displayed relative to pasteboard

If you prefer, you can deselect the Transformations Are Totals command to see the same information relative to the nested object’s container. In the example above, if you deselect Transformations Are Totals, the Transform panel displays the graphic’s rotation angle as zero (the angle it has relative to its rotated container).

Object’s rotation angle displayed relative to container object

The Show Content Offset command determines the appearance of the X and Y values in the Transform panel for nested objects selected with the Direct Selection tool . The selected reference point in the reference point locator of the Transform and Control panels determines which of the nine reference points on the selected object is being compared to the zero point of the document or to the zero point of a container frame. The zero point of a container frame is always its upper-left corner.

The position of selected objects is measured from three positions:

• The position of the container frame in relation to the zero point of the document. With Show Content Offset turned on or off, select the container frame using the Selection tool.

• The position of the nested object in relation to the zero point of the document. Turn off Show Content Offset and select the nested object using the Direct Selection tool.

• The position of the nested object in relation to the zero point (upper-left corner) of its container frame. Turn on Show Content Offset and select the nested object using the Direct Selection tool.

Parent frame’s position displayed relative to zero point of document

Nested object’s position displayed relative to zero point of document

Nested object’s position displayed relative to container frame

If Show Content Offset is selected, the X and Y values of the embedded object appear relative to the container object, and the X/Y icons in the Transform panel change to X+/Y+. If this command is deselected, the nested object values appear relative to the rulers.

Stroke weight can affect an object’s size and position. You can change the stroke’s alignment and then choose whether the Transform panel measures an object’s size and position from the center or from the edge of its stroke. For information on changing stroke alignment, see Stroke panel options.