Arranging Objects

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Paint Shop Pro includes several handy features for working with positioning objects. You'll find features to line up object edges, to create equal spaces between objects, to make objects equal in size, and even to combine multiple objects into one.

Moving a Vector Object

If an object is not in the position you require, move it easily by using your mouse. Moving vector objects is a little different from moving raster objects. With raster objects, you use the mover tool, but with vector objects, you don't use the mover tool; instead you simply use your mouse.

Reordering Objects

When a vector layer has multiple objects, the elements are stacked according to their order in the Layer palette. The element at the top of the list is at the top of the other elements as well, making it visible in front of all other objects on that layer. The object at the bottom of the layer is at the bottom of the stack and might appear to be behind the other objects.

Aligning Objects Together

Suppose that you have two or more objects and you want them to be at the same vertical position on the image, or you want one (or more) of the objects to be centered in another. Well, you could use your mouse to move the objects, but sometimes it can be difficult to visually align them. Instead, let the alignment feature do the guesswork for you.

Remember: The secret is in the order in which you select the objects. The first selected object is the one that the other selected objects will match up to.

In this example, to line up the star even with the circle, select the circle first and then select the star.

NOTE

You can also make alignment selections through the Objects menu.

Positioning Objects on the Canvas

You just learned how you can align objects together, but you can also align one or more object to the canvas. For example, you created a button and you need it in the middle of the image. You could turn on the ruler and the grid and visually move the button until it looks like it is in the center of the canvas, but by using the Align to canvas feature, you only need to make a mouse click and let Paint Shop Pro do the work for you.

Distributing Space Between Objects

Any time you have multiple objects, Paint Shop Pro can distribute the space between the objects evenly, either horizontally or vertically.

At least three objects should be selected to distribute space evenly. If you choose to distribute evenly three or more objects horizontally, the objects that are closest to the left and right boundaries of the group become the two target objects. When you distribute evenly three or more objects vertically, the objects that are closest to the top and bottom of the group boundaries become the target objects. The distance between these target objects determines the spacing of the objects between them.

Grouping Multiple Objects

Grouping multiple objects is like linking the objects for easier manipulation. Grouped objects can be ungrouped at any time. When you select multiple objects, Paint Shop Pro treats them as a temporary group but ungroups the objects when you deselect the object. Using the grouping feature, however, keeps them grouped together unless you ungroup them.

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