How to Align Openings with the Alignment Buttons: MatDesigner

The Alignment Tab is where to locate the different alignment buttons.

The first row of Aligning buttons are used to center objects.

If a group of objects is selected, they are centered as a locked group.

Create three 2x3 (5x7 cm) openings on a 16x20 (40x50 cm).

Lay out the openings roughly as displayed.

Click on the Alignment Tab.

Click on the upper right opening

Click the Center Objects Horizontally button.

The opening is centered horizontally.

Click on the left opening.

Click the Center Objects Horizontally and Vertically button.

The opening is centered horizontally and vertically to the mat.

Click on the bottom opening.

Click on the Center Objects Vertically button.

The opening is centered vertically.

Select all of the openings.

Click the Center Objects Horizontally and Vertically button.

The openings are centered horizontally and vertically to the mat as a group.

The second and third rows of alignment buttons activate when two or more openings are selected.

Note that these buttons refer to the furthest-most edges of the group of openings.

Picture the group of openings surrounded by a rectangle at the outermost points of the objects.

The objects will move within reference to that imaginary rectangle.

NOTE: Rectangle highlights are displayed here for reference; they do NOT appear on the screen.

Click on the button that corresponds to the direction desired, and the openings will move within reference to that imaginary rectangle.

Because these buttons deal with openings in relation to each other, click Undo after each lesson to save time for the next example.

Lay out the openings as displayed.

Select all of the openings.

Click on the Align Objects to Left Edge button.

The openings align to the left-most opening edge of the selection.

Click Undo.

Leave the openings selected.

Click on the Align Objects to Center button.

The openings align to the center horizontally.

Click Undo.

Leave the openings selected.

Click on the Align Objects to Right Edge button.

The openings align to the right-most edge of the selection.

Click Undo.

Leave the openings selected.

Click on the Align Objects to Bottom button.

The openings align to the bottom-most opening edge of the selection.

Click Undo.

Leave the openings selected.

Click on the Align Objects to Middle button.

The openings align to the middle vertically.

Click Undo.

Leave the openings selected.

Click on the Align Objects to Top button.

The openings align to the topmost edge of the selection.

Click Undo.

Leave the openings selected.

Enter 3.5 (9 cm) for X and 2 (5 cm) for Y in the position field.

Openings move as a group to this position in reference to the group handle point.

Single objects can be moved with the X,Y positioning as well.

Click on the Work Space to unselect the group.

Click on the lower opening.

Enter 1.5 (3.5 cm) for X and 2 (5 cm) for Y to move this opening.

The individual opening moves to this position.