Apply transformation matrix

This quick fix allows applying a generic 6-element transformation matrix on the content of a page. The quick fix step for it is called "Apply 2D transformation matrix to page content". The quick fix transforms only the page content; it does not modify any of the page geometry boxes in the PDF document.

Screenshot of Apply 2D transformation matrix to page content UI

The quick fix needs three important pieces of information:

  1. What is the matrix that is going to be applied?
  2. What is the origin of the transformation?
  3. Which pages are affected?

The matrix

There are different ways in which a transformation matrix can be specified. This quick fix uses the method identified and explained by the PDF specification. Some examples of useful matrices:

The identity matrix 

1 		0
0 		1
0 		0
Click to copy

This matrix is a "null operation"; it doesn't modify the pages it is applied to.

Translation (move) by 1 inch up and to the right 

1 		0
0 		1
72 	72
Click to copy

This matrix only performs a translation of all page content. The translation is done by 72 points (or 1 inch).

Scale down to 50% 

0.5 	0
0 		0.5
0 		0
Click to copy

This matrix performs scaling of all page content to 50% of the current size.

The transformation origin

Transformations are always done around a transformation origin point. For a rotation for example, this is the point the page is rotated around. The "Relative to" and "Based on" properties allow selecting which point of which page box is going to be used as the transformation origin point.

The pages

The "Page selector" property determines which pages are affected by the transformation. The default is "all" so that the transformation is executed on all pages, but all other page selectors are supported.