Positioning objects

The KIllustrator Handbook
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# 3.4. Positioning objects

KIllustrator offers many ways to assist in the positioning of objects.

## 3.4.1. Grid

The grid is an aid allowing the user to work on a drawing precisely. Grid behaviour can be controlled by three functions (parentheses show the menu entries used to access the fuctions):

1. Show Grid (View -> Show Grid), show the grid in the drawing.

2. Align to Grid (Layout -> Align to Grid), objects now snap to the grid.

3. Grid setup (Layout -> Grid), setup the grid.

The first and second functions can be performed during the setup of the grid distances by toggling the buttons in the Grid Setup dialog.

## 3.4.2. Helplines

Helplines provide a further mechanism to the Grid when precise drawing is required. The advantage of using helplines is that the distance between individual helplines can be varied. The proceedure for Helpline use is identical to the Grid.

## 3.4.3. Aligning objects

This function allows objects to be aligned with respect to each other and/or the page. For example a group of objects can be aligned such that their left edges are all in line or such that they are evenly distributed throughout the page. Select the object(s) to be Aligned and right-click, select "Align" from the menu and the following dialog appears:

NOTE: At the time of writing not all functionality of "Align" has been implemented. It is hoped that further functionality will be added soon.

## 3.4.4. Aligning text along a path

If the path is already drawn, then one proceeds as follows:

1. select the text to be aligned

2. choose "Text along Path" from the arrange menu

3. select the object to be used as the path with a left-click (the right mouse button cancels).

The following Objects can be used as Paths:

- Freehand lines

- Lines, Polylines, Polygons

- Bezier curves

- Ellipses

## 3.4.5. Grouping of Objects:

Individual objects can be grouped together. This is useful of one wants to assemble complex drawings from individual objects and then treat these compound objects as one object. Objects are grouped as follows

1. select the objects to be grouped. Multiple objects can be selected by enclosing them inside a selection box by using the selection tool and/or selecting objects while holding down the SHIFT key.

2. choose "Group" from the "Arrange" menu.

A grouped object can be separated into it's constituent objects by selecting the group and choosing "Ungroup" from the "Arrange" menu.

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