Precise object placement

Microsoft Expression Design lets you work both in a freeform manner (moving objects around until they look right) and a precise, methodical manner (placing or moving objects in exact locations).

Moving objects with the keyboard

You can move selected objects in small, precise increments by nudging them with the arrow keys on your keyboard. Each time you press an arrow key, the object moves one step in that direction. The size of the step is determined by the Nudge increment field in the Units and Grids page of the Options dialog box. You can also hold down the SHIFT key while pressing an arrow key to move the object by ten times the normal amount or hold down the CTRL key to move it by 1/10 the normal amount.

Moving objects with the Action Bar

You can use the Action Bar to position any object or group of objects.

  1. Select the reference point by clicking the icon on the left side of the Action Bar. For example, if you want the lower-left corner of your object to remain in place while the rest of the object scales, click the lower-left corner of the reference point icon.
  2. Adjust the X (horizontal position) and/or Y (vertical position) sliders by dragging them, or (if you want to type a numeric value) by clicking them.

If you want to move the object by a specific amount (rather than specify a position on the page), click Relative Transform on the Transform options  drop-down list in the Action Bar . For example, you might do this if you want to precisely position an object 15 pixels farther to the right.