How do I change the reference point on an object?

[GraphiXstorM]

Im trying to do some abstract work and I need to duplicate a whole bunch of objects, but everytime I try rotating them they always pivot from the middle. Now I know you can change the pivot point my clicking anywhere near the object and rotating it, but how do i make that permanent so that even a duplicated object will be the same?

In corel draw you can literally just drag the pivot point and it sticks. But with illustrator I cant seem to do that. And the little icons that let you adjust the reference point dont seem to help either. There is nothing in the help file about this. Can anyone help out?

 

[Atapaw69]

Hi, if you click on the Rotate Tool (Tools Pallet - 6th icon down the left column), then click and release on the position you want to rotate around, then click and drag for the rotation required. Holding the shift key constrains the rotation to multiples of 45deg.

 

[GraphiXstorM]

Thanks for the reply, but this still doesnt answer my question. For example, if you create a simple box, you will see a point in the middle. That is the point im trying to move. Sure you can click anywhere on the screen and use the rotate tool on an object, but after you choose another object or line, and go back to the original shape, the reference point for the rotation is lost. I want to know how to move the actual reference point permanently if possible!

 

[jmgalvin]

Have you thought of recording an action?

If you open the Actions window and select an object and record a new action based on selecting the rotation tool, moving the pivot point, androtating, you will be able to replicate your rotation on other objects.

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4