Using Wireframe Handles to Transform, Scale, and Rotate
In many instances, you may find that dragging the handles of a selected clip in the
Canvas is faster and more intuitive than adjusting its parameters in the Motion tab of
the Viewer.
Note: You must be in Image+Wireframe or Wireframe mode to use wireframe handles.
To scale a clip:
1
Select a clip in the Timeline.
2
Select the Selection tool in the Tool palette, then do one of the following:
 To scale the clip proportionally: Drag a Scale/Distort handle.
 To scale the clip without constraining the proportions: Shift-drag a Scale/Distort handle.
Drag a Scale/Distort
handle to scale
proportionally.
Shift-drag a Scale/Distort
handle to scale in one
direction or the other.
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Changing Motion Parameters
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To move a clip:
1
Select a clip in the Timeline.
2
Select the Selection tool in the Tool palette, then drag the layer to a new position.
To rotate a clip:
1
Select a clip in the Timeline.
2
Select the Selection tool in the Tool palette, then drag any edge of the selected clip’s
border in an arc around the clip’s center point.
 The farther away you drag from the clip’s center point, the more precise control you
have over the rotation.
 To constrain rotation to 45-degree increments, hold down the Shift key while dragging.
 Continuous dragging increases the total number of rotations performed, if you’re
creating keyframed movement.
You can move a clip
partially or completely
outside the Canvas.
Drag any edge with the
Selection tool to rotate
the clip.
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To scale and rotate a clip:
m
Command-drag a Scale/Distort handle.
To distort the shape of a clip:
1
Select a clip in the Timeline.
2
Select the Distort tool in the Tool palette, then drag a Scale/Distort handle.
∏
Tip: To shorten one side and lengthen the other side of an image, hold down the Shift
key while dragging.
Command-drag a Scale/
Distort handle to scale
and rotate the clip.
Drag a Scale/Distort
handle with the Distort
tool to distort the clip.
Hold down the Shift key as
you drag to change all
four points simultaneously
and give the appearance
of a change in perspective.
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Changing Motion Parameters
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To crop a clip:
1
Select a clip in the Timeline.
2
Select the Crop tool in the Tool palette, then do one of the following:
 To crop a particular side: Drag in from the edge of the clip.
 To crop two sides at one time: Drag one of the corners of the wireframe.
 To constrain the rectangle’s aspect ratio: Hold down the Shift key while dragging
a corner.
Drag an edge with the
Crop tool to crop that
side of the clip.
Drag a corner with the
Crop tool to crop two
sides at once.
Shift-drag a corner with
the Crop tool to maintain
the aspect ratio.
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