: How to align rotated shape back to 0 degrees? I have a "rotation" issue with Illustrator. I've rotated some shape which has no horizontal component which I could align to guide, so I have

@Murray664

Turn on Smart Guides by pressing Ctrl+U. Start rotating the object and notice that there is text that tells you the degree. Remember this. Right click on the item and choose "Rotate" under the "Transform" tab. If the angle of the object was negative, put in the same number, but positive, and vice versa. This will set your object's degrees back to 0.

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@Kevin459

Ensure smart guides are enabled.
Drag a guide to the anchor point you'd like your point of rotation to
be ("Anchor" should pop up as you approach it with your cursor).
Hit "R" to enable to Rotate tool, and click on the same anchor point
(again, "Anchor" will pop up).
Pan over to the anchor point on the opposite side of the shape (which
you'll be rotating to get the shape back to 0°).
Click and drag this anchor point till it intersects with the guide.
It should snap into place, and "Guide" will pop up).

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@Frith110

In case you want to edit the shape without the rotation, but retain the rotation, this is what I do: I add the unrotated shape as a symbol, then rotate the symbol instance. That way, by double clicking on the symbol you can edit the unrotated shape (symbol definition), then once you finish editing the symbol definition, you get your rotation back.

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@Mendez620

In CC 2015, there is a way:
After you've rotated something, open the "Transform" window and you can type 0 into that value.



HOWEVER in CS6 this does not work. I just installed CS6 to confirm. This same window "Transform" does have the rotate field, but it clears to 0 after any changes. This does not work in CS6. (As you already know. I am just updating this answer to correct myself.)

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@Ravi4787994

In AI CC you can click on X, Y, W or H to bring up a menu with couple of cool object properties, rotation included. Worked like magic for me!)

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@Gretchen549

Correct, this is not a built-in feature of Illustrator (as it stands).

You can however reset text objects and bitmap images with a script called ‘Clear Transform’ by a guy called Iaroslav Tabachkovsky. It’s available to download on Vector boom:
vectorboom.com/load/freebies/freescripts/how_to_reset_text_objects_and_bitmap_images_to_horizontal_position_in_illustrator/22-1-0-368
Don’t worry, Illustrator scripts are very easy to install and use. All relevant instructions are on the page in the link.

Enjoy! :)

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@Turnbaugh909

The easiest way I know, assuming it has the original bounding box still, is create a guide line (I use horizontal) on one corner, then use the rotate tool (r), select the corner you lined up with the guide, then rotate from the other corner down until it's lined up along the guide.

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@Murray976

It's already been resolved on another post, but I'll write it here:
you need the free plugin from astute graphics. Check the page, scroll down, check the animated gif about the orient tool. It does what it promises. I checked.
Oh, and not affiliated with them. www.astutegraphics.com/software/subscribe/

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@Frith110

Use the measuring tool the get the angle of the 2 point on the object (straight line) you want to reset to 0 degree.
Then type in the angle measured (clock wise @ counter clock wise) to level to object with transform tools.

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@Angela777

I've found some solution to the issue if you rotated the shape once only.


Select the rotated shape. You will see the bounding box if it is not disabled.
Locate the cursor to the point where the rotating sign will appear.
Click and start moving the shape - you will the the exact angle by which was rotated from the 0 degrees - remember that number and
Release the button.
Right click on the shape → Transform → Rotate and in the rotation angle insert the number you've remembered and
Click OK.


The shape will come back to original settings if you don't press Reset Bounding Box before the zeroing.

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@Reiling762

Since the feature doesn't really exist I should suggest keeping a copy of your shape previous to rotating it.

I would probably set up a separate layer for shapes in their original position and just hide it and then reference it if I need a particular shape back at 0 degrees.

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