What is the method for duplicating an object in Illustrator?

Holding the Alt key while dragging an object in Adobe Illustrator is an effective method for duplicating that object. This technique allows users to create an exact copy of the selected object while simultaneously moving it to a new location. When you drag while holding Alt, Illustrator creates a duplicate of the original object, allowing for quick and efficient layout adjustments without having to navigate through menus.

This method is particularly useful for creating multiple instances of an object in a design, as it gives the user the ability to see the duplicate being created in real-time, making it easier to position it precisely. It also allows for quick duplication of complex shapes or grouped objects, maintaining the design integrity.

Other methods, like using Copy and Paste or the Ctrl + D shortcut (which is often used for repeating the last transformation), do not offer the immediacy and visual feedback that the Alt-drag method provides when placing duplicates within a design.