Scaling objects and having the distance from the center point remain the same

Question

Hello,
I hope someone can help!
How do you scale a shape--a square, say--from small to large then back to small and have the distance be the same from the shape's center point?
I'd like to be able to specify the distance and the sizes of the smallest shape and the largest shape and the steps in between.
There must be an easier way than the time consuming method I'm using.
Thank you.

Answer 1

1 Make your smallest and largest square or object
2 make a blend with specified number of steps and specify the number you need.
3 at this point it is not necessary to have them space the finally distance.
4 then make the blend
5 Use the Effects>Distort and Transform>Transform to copy, reflect and move and create a new instance of the blend.
6 Expand the Appearance of the Transform now eliminate one of the large squares using the direct select tool and ungroup the squares.
(you have to ungroup twice)
7 Now holding down the shift key move one of the smallest square to the position you want it to be in the end.
8 do the same for the other smallest square.
9 now select all the squares and use the horizontal center distribute command in the align panel or control panel with the option to align to selection.
That should do it.
Actually simpler then the number of steps indicates.
You get this