Aligning objects

When creating a user interface, Web page, or any other sort of structured page, it is often important to align objects to each other. One way to align objects is to snap them to a grid or a guide. However, Expression Design also offers several other direct methods of aligning paths and objects on your page. In each case, you must select at least two objects, and then choose one of the following from the Align submenu, under the Arrange menu.

• Centers  Aligns the objects vertically and horizontally, so that the center-point of each object is in the same position.
• Top Edges   Aligns the top edges of each object to that of the top-most object.
• Bottom Edges   Aligns the bottom edges of each object to that of the bottom-most object.
• Left Edges   Aligns the left edges of each object to that of the left-most object.
• Right Edges   Aligns the right edges of each object to that of the right-most object.
• Vertical Centers  Aligns the objects vertically, so that the center point of each object is aligned. The object that is closest to the middle among the objects (or, if there are only two objects, the top-most object in the layer stack,) is anchored and the other objects move.
• Horizontal Centers  Aligns the objects horizontally so that the center-point of each object is aligned. Again, the object closest to the middle among the objects (or the top-most object in the layer stack) is anchored in place and the other objects move.

Original objects (1), aligned to Left Edges (2), or aligned to Vertical Centers (3)

You can also find these features in the Align drop-down list of the Action Bar . (You won't see this feature until you have two or more objects selected.)

Tip: If you click Align in the Action Bar (rather than the arrow next to it), Expression Design applies the last used alignment to your selected objects.