Random Rotate

Script for Adobe Illustrator

✦ Available exclusively on Patreon for Pro supporters.

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Description

The Random Rotate script is a powerful Adobe Illustrator tool that applies random rotation transformations to selected objects within customizable angle ranges. This script is perfect for creating organic, scattered effects, breaking up rigid layouts, or adding natural variation to repeated elements in your designs.

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Key Features

Customizable Angle Range: Set minimum and maximum rotation angles (0° to 360°).
Step Increments: Control rotation precision with adjustable step values.
Reference Point Selection: Choose from 9 different rotation anchor points.
Group Handling: Option to rotate individual items within groups.
Compound Path Support: Rotate individual path items within compound paths.
Live Preview: See changes in real-time as you adjust settings.
Settings Persistence: Saves your preferences between sessions.

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Installation

1. Download the Random Rotate.jsx script file.

2. Place the script in your Adobe Illustrator Scripts folder:

⮑ Mac: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts

⮑ Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts

3. Restart Adobe Illustrator if it's already running.

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Using the Script

Open a document with objects to rotate.
Select one or more objects you want to randomly rotate.
Run the script via File > Scripts > Random Rotate.
A dialog window will appear with multiple options:

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➊ Basic Angle Setup

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Minimum Angle:

Use the slider or input field to set the smallest rotation angle.
Range: 0° to 360°.
Default: 0°.

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Maximum Angle:

Set the largest possible rotation angle.
Must be greater than or equal to minimum angle.
Default: 360°.

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Step Angle:

Controls the increment between possible rotation values.
Example: Step of 45° will only allow rotations at 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, etc.
Default: 1°.

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A: Original Selection; B: Range: 0° to 360°, Step of 1°; C: Step of 90°

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Input Field Controls

Up/Down Arrow Keys: Adjust values by ±1°.
Shift + Up/Down: Adjust values by ±10°.
Direct text entry supported in all input fields.

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➋ Reference Point Selection

Choose where each object rotates around by clicking one of the 9 reference points:

Top Row: Top Left, Top Center, Top Right.
Middle Row: Middle Left, Center, Middle Right.
Bottom Row: Bottom Left, Bottom Center, Bottom Right.

The center point rotates objects around their center, while corner/edge points create more dramatic movement effects.

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➌ Advanced Options

Rotate Individual Group Items

Checked: Each item within groups rotates individually.
Unchecked: Entire groups rotate as single units.

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Rotate Compound Path Items

Checked: Individual paths within compound paths rotate separately.
Unchecked: Compound paths rotate as complete objects.

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Hide Edges

Toggle visibility of object outlines/paths for cleaner preview.

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➍ Preview and Apply

Preview Checkbox:

Enabled: See changes in real-time as you adjust settings.
Updates automatically when you modify any parameter.

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Randomize Button (✚):

Generates new random rotations within your current range.
Creates different variations without changing settings.

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Apply Changes:

OK: Apply rotations and close the dialog.
Cancel: Close without applying changes.
⏼: Provides access to user guide information.

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Workflow Tips

Start Small: Begin with narrow angle ranges (e.g., -15° to +15°) for subtle effects.
Use Preview: Always enable preview to see immediate results.
Save Iterations: Use the randomize button to explore different variations.
Group Strategy: Decide whether to rotate groups as units or individual items based on your design needs.
Reference Points: Experiment with different reference points for varied effects.
Subtle Variation: Use 5-10° ranges for realistic imperfection.
Dynamic Scattering: Use full 360° range with center reference point.
Controlled Chaos: Use step increments (45°, 90°) for structured randomness.

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☻ Summary

The Random Rotate script transforms rigid, mechanical layouts into organic, natural-looking designs by applying controlled random rotations to your selected objects.

With its intuitive interface, live preview, and powerful customization options, you can quickly add professional-quality variation to any design element.

Whether you're creating subtle imperfections or dramatic scattered effects, this tool puts precise creative control at your fingertips.

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Random Rotate

Version: 1.0.0

Updated: July 22, 2025

Download Random Rotate

1.0.0 – Initial release.
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Tested on MacOS:
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- Adobe Illustrator 2023 (27.0)
- Adobe Illustrator 2024 (28.1)
- Adobe Illustrator 2025 (29.0)
Supported Versions:
- Compatible with Adobe Illustrator CS6 and later, including Adobe Illustrator CC versions.
Operating Systems:
- Works on both macOS and Windows platforms.
End User License Agreement (EULA)
Last Updated: 21.12.2024
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This End User License Agreement (“Agreement”) is a legal agreement between you (“User” or “Licensee”) and Samolevsky.com (“Licensor”) regarding the use of the Adobe Illustrator scripts (“Software”). By downloading, installing, or using the Software, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
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1. Grant of License
Licensor grants the User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to use the Software in accordance with this Agreement.
- Free Software: If the Software is provided for free, you may use it for personal or commercial purposes without payment, subject to the restrictions outlined in this Agreement.
- Paid Software: If the Software is provided for a fee, you may use it only after payment has been made in full.
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2. Usage Rights
You are permitted to:
- Install and use the Software on devices you own or control.
- Use the Software in your personal or commercial projects, subject to compliance with this Agreement.
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3. Restrictions
You may NOT:
- Reverse engineer, decompile, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code, underlying ideas, or algorithms of the Software.
- Reuse, incorporate, or integrate any portion of the Software into any other software, product, or project, except as expressly permitted by the Licensor in writing.
- Resell, redistribute, or share the Software, whether in its original or modified form, without prior written consent from the Licensor.
- Claim ownership of the Software or its underlying code.
- Use the Software in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations.
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4. Ownership
The Software and all intellectual property rights therein remain the exclusive property of the Licensor. This Agreement does not transfer ownership of the Software or any intellectual property rights to the User.
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5. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES, OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
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6. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Licensor shall not be liable for any damages, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, arising out of or related to the use or inability to use the Software.
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7. Termination
This Agreement is effective until terminated. Licensor may terminate this Agreement immediately if you breach any term of this Agreement. Upon termination, you must cease all use of the Software and destroy any copies in your possession.
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8. Updates and Support
Licensor is not obligated to provide updates, support, or maintenance for the Software. However, updates may be provided at the sole discretion of the Licensor.
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9. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
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10. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Licensor concerning the Software and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings regarding such subject matter.
By using the Software, you acknowledge that you have read this Agreement, understand it, and agree to be bound by its terms.
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For any questions or concerns regarding this Agreement, please contact us at hello@samolevsky.com

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Introducing ScriptBox

Your Complete Adobe Illustrator Productivity Hub

Install Extension

➊ Toolbox

Access to 200+ pre-built scripts organized in categories.

➋ Script Launcher

Load and manage third-party scripts from custom folders.

➌ Panel Manager

Quick access to toggle Adobe Illustrator's built-in panels

➍ Favourites

Save frequently used scripts and panels for quick access.

➎ Code Editor

Write, edit, and execute custom ExtendScript/JavaScript code.

➏ Task Manager

An integrated to-do list that helps you track design tasks and jot down your ideas.

➐ Video Player

Create your own personal video library and watch YouTube videos right within the extension.

➑ Image Gallery

A visual moodboard allowing you to keep inspiration and reference materials right in your workspace while you design.

☻ Info

A heartfelt "Thank You" section to recognize our amazing Patreon supporters who help make ScriptBox possible.

Required Software

Adobe Illustrator

Learn more

Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics software developed by Adobe Inc. It is widely used by designers, illustrators, and artists for creating a variety of digital artwork, including logos, icons, illustrations, typography, and complex design layouts. Illustrator is known for its precision and scalability, allowing users to create high-quality graphics that can be resized without losing clarity. Its features include powerful drawing tools, customizable brushes, advanced typography options, and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Illustrator is a go-to tool for creative professionals working on projects for print, web, and multimedia platforms.

🅰 Locating the Scripts Folder
To install a Random Rotate.jsx script in Adobe Illustrator, you need to place it in the correct directory where Illustrator can recognize it. Follow these steps to locate the Scripts folder:
1. MacOS:
  Open Finder and navigate to:
  Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
2. Windows:
  Open File Explorer and navigate to:
  C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
3. Replace <Version> with your Adobe Illustrator version (e.g., 2025).
4. Replace <Language> with your language folder (e.g., "de_DE" for German, "en_US" for English).
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🅱 Installing the Script
1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Random Rotate.jsx file to the Scripts folder located in the path above.
2. On some systems, you may need administrator permissions to modify the Scripts folder.
3. Restart Adobe Illustrator: To refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.
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Explore our complete guide to mastering Adobe Illustrator scripts.
1. Open Adobe Illustrator and ensure a document is active.
2. Go to the top menu bar and select File > Scripts.
3. If the script is installed in the Scripts folder, it will appear in the dropdown list.
4. Click the Random Rotate script to run it.
5. The Random Rotate script will execute, and any dialog boxes or results will appear based on the script’s functionality.
☻ Before running any scripts, it’s strongly advised to save your work — especially when working with complex or large documents.

🅰 Locating the Scripts Folder
To install a Random Rotate.jsx script in Adobe Illustrator, you need to place it in the correct directory where Illustrator can recognize it. Follow these steps to locate the Scripts folder:
1. MacOS:
  Open Finder and navigate to:
  Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts
2. Windows:
  Open File Explorer and navigate to:
  C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
3. Replace <Version> with your Adobe Illustrator version (e.g., 2025).
4. Replace <Language> with your language folder (e.g., "de_DE" for German, "en_US" for English).
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🅱 Installing the Script
1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Random Rotate.jsx file to the Scripts folder located in the path above.
2. On some systems, you may need administrator permissions to modify the Scripts folder.
3. Restart Adobe Illustrator: To refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.
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Explore our complete guide to mastering Adobe Illustrator scripts.

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and ensure a document is active.
2. Go to the top menu bar and select File > Scripts.
3. If the script is installed in the Scripts folder, it will appear in the dropdown list.
4. Click the Random Rotate script to run it.
5. The Random Rotate script will execute, and any dialog boxes or results will appear based on the script’s functionality.
☻ Before running any scripts, it’s strongly advised to save your work — especially when working with complex or large documents.

Got questions?

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