Using expressions for numeric values
You can type basic mathematical expressions to specify numeric val-
ues in Canvas dialog boxes and palettes. You can use addition, sub-
traction, division, and multiplication operators in simple expressions.
For example, you can type a fractional value, such as 2/3, in place of
a decimal value.
To type an expression
To enter operators in expressions, type a plus sign (+) for addition; a
minus sign (-) for subtraction; a slash (/) for division; and an asterisk
(*) for multiplication.
You can type parentheses to nest values and operators in expressions.
You do not type an equal sign in an expression.
Canvas calculates the result of a mathematical expression when you
press Tab or Enter, or click an Apply button, or move to another
value in a dialog box.
To modify a value
To use an existing value in an expression, click after the number to
place an insertion point. Then, type the remainder of the expression.
For example, to make the width of an object 3 times larger, click after
the existing value and type * 3, and then press Enter. To make the
value one-third as large, type / 3.
By entering expressions after existing values in the Transform pal-
ette, you can move objects incrementally. For example, to move an
object 3/4 inch to the right, type + 3/4 after the X value.
Specifying measurement units
In most dialog boxes, you can type abbreviations to specify measure-
ment units. You can use this feature to override a documents mea-
surement units or the specific measurement units used in these dialog
boxes.
For example, when inches is a documents unit of measurement, you
can type 1 cm to specify 1 centimeter. Canvas converts 1 cm and dis-
plays it as .3937 inches.