Here is a workflow you can use when you work on something that should have rotational symmetry, for instance a car rim. A simple way to make this workflow more practical when working in Illustrator is to use an instance that you copy and rotate. This way you can work on one piece and have it all update.
To set this up in Illu CS5:
- Make an initial shape.
- select the shape and press f8 to make it a movieclip or graphic.
- with black arrow select the graphic and press r to jump to rotate mode.
- hold alt and LMB click the point you wish to rotate around.
- in the popup set the rotation value you want and click copy.
- When you exit the tool the copy is selected, continue to press ctrl + d to repeat the transform.
- You´re done and hopefully happy.
By the way to edit the shape double click with black arrow to enter the graphic double click to leave and update the instances.
