How to duplicate in Illustrator?

Duplicating objects in Adobe Illustrator is a fundamental skill that allows for efficient design workflows and the creation of intricate patterns and layouts. You can achieve this using several precise methods, including standard copy-paste functions, drag duplication, and the powerful "Transform Again" feature.

Essential Duplication Methods in Illustrator

Understanding these core techniques will significantly speed up your design process and enable complex object arrangements.

1. Copy and Paste in Place

This method is ideal when you need an exact duplicate positioned precisely on top of or behind the original object. The new object will have contours matching the original, ensuring perfect alignment.

• Step 1: Select the Object
  Choose the object or group of objects you wish to duplicate using the Selection Tool (V).
• Step 2: Copy the Object
  • Press Command + C (Mac) or Ctrl + C (Windows). This places a copy of the selected object onto your clipboard.
• Step 3: Paste in Front or Back
  • To paste the duplicate directly on top of the original: Press Command + F (Mac) or Ctrl + F (Windows). This places the new object precisely above your original.
  • To paste the duplicate directly behind the original: Press Command + B (Mac) or Ctrl + B (Windows). This places the new object precisely beneath your original.

This technique is especially useful for creating outlines, shadows, or for operations that require two identical shapes at the exact same location.

2. Duplicating by Dragging

This is one of the quickest ways to create copies, offering immediate visual feedback as you drag the duplicate into position.

• Step 1: Select the Object
  Select the object you want to duplicate.
• Step 2: Drag and Duplicate
  • Click and drag the selected object.
  • While dragging, hold down the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows). A small double arrow cursor will appear, indicating you are creating a copy.
  • Release the mouse button, then release the modifier key.
• Step 3 (Optional): Constrain Movement
  • To constrain the duplicate's movement horizontally, vertically, or at 45-degree angles, hold down Shift in addition to Option/Alt while dragging.

This method is perfect for quick, visually guided duplication without needing precise coordinates.

3. Transform Again (Duplicate Multiple Times)

The "Transform Again" command (Command/Ctrl + D) is incredibly powerful for repeating the last transformation, including movement, rotation, scaling, and most importantly, duplication with a specific offset or transformation.

• Step 1: Make the First Duplicate with Transformation
  • Select your object.
  • Perform an initial transformation (e.g., move it, rotate it, or scale it).
  • While still performing the transformation, hold down Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) to create a duplicate. Release the mouse button first, then the modifier key. This sets the "transformation" (including the duplication and the offset/rotation) that Illustrator will remember.
• Step 2: Repeat the Transformation
  • Press Command + D (Mac) or Ctrl + D (Windows) repeatedly. Each press will create a new duplicate, applying the exact same transformation and offset as the first duplicate.

This technique is invaluable for creating repetitive patterns, evenly spaced grids, concentric circles, or objects rotated around a central point.

Quick Reference: Illustrator Duplication Shortcuts

For efficient workflow, commit these shortcuts to memory: