Working with Objects

1. Click an object.
A selection box (framed in orange) is displayed around the object, and the object is selected.

A selection box (framed in orange) displayed around text is called a text box. For details, see "Differences between text boxes and editing boxes."

Selecting multiple objects

1. Click multiple objects while holding down the Ctrl key or Shift key.
(Otherwise, drag across the objects as if drawing a box around them.)
A selection box (framed in orange) is displayed around each object, and the objects are selected.

Deleting, copying, and pasting objects

Deleting objects

1. Select one or more objects, right-click, and select Cut.
(Otherwise, select an object, hold down the Ctrl key, and press the X key.)
The selected object is copied to the clipboard and deleted from the poster.

Copying objects

1. Select one or more objects, right-click, and select Copy.
(Otherwise, select an object, hold down the Ctrl key, and press the C key.)
The selected object is copied to the clipboard.

When you drag an object while holding down the Ctrl key, the object is copied where it is dragged.

When PosterArtist is running in multiple screens simultaneously, objects can be copied and pasted between these screens.

Pasting objects from the clipboard

1. Right-click anywhere on the poster and select Paste.
(Otherwise, hold down the Ctrl key and press the V key.)
The object is pasted from the clipboard onto the center of the poster.

Moving, enlarging, reducing, and rotating objects

Moving objects

2. Point inside the selection box. The cursor is displayed as

(Move pointer). Drag with this pointer to move the object.

To move an object horizontally or vertically, drag it by using the mouse while holding down the Shift key.

The quick exchange function allows to easily change the position of multiple objects. For details, see "Switching objects using the quick exchange function."

Resize and rotate modes

Resize mode	In this mode, images can be resized. Resize images by using a (Resize handle) in the corners and on the sides of the outline. Click to switch to rotate mode.
Rotate mode	In this mode, images can be rotated. Rotate images by using a (Rotate handle) in the corners of the outline. Click to switch to resize mode.

Enlarging and reducing objects

2. Point at a

(Resize handle) on the selection box. The pointer is displayed as

, or

. (If the object is a line or arrow, a crosshair pointer is displayed.) Drag the pointer to resize the object.

,	The pointer is displayed this way if you point to the corners of the outlined area. Drag the pointer to resize the object while maintaining the position of (Resize handle) in the diagonally opposite corner.
,	The pointer is displayed this way if you point to the sides of the outlined area. Drag the pointer to adjust the height and width of the object freely.
, , , + the Ctrl key	To resize an object without changing its center point, hold down the Ctrl key as you drag the pointer. When resizing clipart, the line thickness is also maintained.
, , , + the Shift key	To resize an object without changing its aspect ratio, hold down the Shift key as you drag the pointer.
, , , + the Ctrl key + the Shift key	To resize an object without changing its aspect ratio and center point, hold down the Ctrl and Shift key as you drag the pointer.
Crosshair pointer	A crosshair pointer is displayed if you point to either end of a line or arrow. Drag it to adjust the line or arrow length.
Crosshair pointer + the Ctrl key	To extend or retract both ends of the line or arrow at once, hold down the Ctrl key as you drag the (Resize handle).
Crosshair pointer + the Shift key	To extend or retract the line or arrow while maintaining its orientation, hold down the Shift key as you drag the (Resize handle).
Crosshair pointer + the Ctrl key + the Shift key	To extend or retract a line or arrow without changing its center point and orientation, hold down the Ctrl and Shift key as you drag the (Resize handle).

When a text box is resized, text in the text box is resized accordingly. However, if a checkmark is placed for Word Wrap in Text settings panel, text in the text box will not be resized even when the text box is resized.

If an object with a frame is resized, the frame is resized accordingly at the same time.

If an object with a text graphic is resized, the text graphic is resized accordingly at the same time.

Rotating objects

Rotate objects freely by using the mouse

Rotating objects 90 degrees in either direction

2. On the toolbar, click either of the following buttons to select the rotation direction.
(Otherwise, right-click and in Rotate or Flip, select either of the following menus.)

(Rotate Left 90 degrees)

Rotates objects 90 degrees to the left (counter-clockwise).

(Rotate Right 90 degrees)

Rotates objects 90 degrees to the right (clockwise).

Inverting objects

2. On the toolbar, click either of the following buttons to select the direction of inversion.
(Otherwise, right-click and in Rotate or Flip, select either of the following menus.)

(Flip Vertical)

Inverts images so that the top portion is on the bottom and vice versa.

(Flip Horizontal)

Inverts images so that the left side is on the right and vice versa.

Specifying the size, position, or orientation numerically

Specify the size, position, or angle of orientation of objects by entering a value.

Specifying the size, position, or orientation of objects numerically

2. Right-click the selected object and select Size and Position or Properties.
The Properties dialog box is displayed.

2) In Height (or Width) under Size, specify the object height (or width).
Otherwise, in Height (or Width) under Scale, specify the scale for the current height (or width).
Enter the value directly or click or at right to increase or decrease the value.

2) In Height and Width under Size, specify the object height and width.
Otherwise, in Height and Width under Scale, specify the scale for the current height and width.
Enter the value directly or click or at right to increase or decrease the value.

When the value in Scale is increased or decreased, the value in Size increases or decreases accordingly. When a checkmark is placed for Maintain Aspect Ratio, values in Height and Width increase or decrease accordingly.

1) In From, select the criterion (Left Edge or Right Edge) to specify the object position.

2) In Horizontal, specify the distance from the reference position. Enter the value directly or click or at right to increase or decrease the value.

1) In From, select the criterion (Top Edge or Bottom Edge) to specify the object position.

2) In Vertical, specify the distance from the reference position. Enter the value directly or click or at right to increase or decrease the value.

If you enter a negative value, all or part of the object is arranged off the page. Be careful, because some values may move the object so that it cannot be seen on the screen.

1) In Rotation, enter a value directly or select the rotation angle to the right (clockwise). You can enter a value in one-degree increments.

To rotate objects counter-clockwise, enter a negative value such as -100.

In Rotation, enter the value of the absolute angle from the original orientation, not a relative angle from the current position. For example, if the current orientation is 30° and you enter 40°, the final angle will be 40°, not 30°+40°.

Specifying the size, position, or orientation of lines numerically

1. Select one or more lines (or arrows).
A selection box (framed in orange) is displayed.

2. Right-click the selected line (or arrow) and select Size and Position or Properties.
The Properties dialog box is displayed.

1) In Length under Size, specify the line (or arrow) length.
Otherwise, in Length under Scale, specify the scale for the current length.
Enter the value directly or click or at right to increase or decrease the value.

1) In Thickness under Size, specify the line (or arrow) thickness.
Otherwise, in Thickness under Scale, specify the scale for the current thickness.
Enter the value directly or click or at right to increase or decrease the value.

1) Specify the new horizontal end point position relative to the left or right edge of the page.
In From, select Left Edge or Right Edge as the reference position.
In Horizontal, specify the distance from the reference position. Enter the value directly or click or at right to increase or decrease the value.

2) Specify the new vertical end point position relative to the top or bottom edge of the page.
In From, select Top Edge or Bottom Edge as the reference position.
In Vertical, specify the distance from the reference position. Enter the value directly or click or at right to increase or decrease the value.

The value for Start Point Position will be updated if you change the value for Size and Scale. Oppositely, the values for Size, Scale, and Rotation will be updated if you change the value for Start Point Position or End Point Position.

If you enter a negative value, all or part of the object is arranged off the page. Be careful, because some values may move the object so that it cannot be seen on the screen.

1) In Rotation, enter a value directly or select the rotation angle to the right (clockwise). You can enter a value in one-degree increments.

To rotate objects counter-clockwise, enter a negative value such as -100.

The values for Start Point Position and End Point Position will be updated if you change the value for Rotation.

Locking object or line positions

Sometimes when attempting to move an object on the poster, you may accidentally move another object instead. To prevent moving objects by mistake, you can lock them. This may help your poster designing go more smoothly.

Locking objects

2. Right-click the selected object and select Properties.
The Properties dialog box is displayed.

3. Place a checkmark for Object Locking.
To cancel the lock, remove the checkmark from Object Locking.

Locked objects are outlined in red when you point to them.

Objects that have been set up for variable printing cannot be locked.

Aligning objects

Using the align and distribute functions

1. Click multiple objects while holding down the Ctrl key or Shift key.
The objects are selected (framed in orange).

2. On the toolbar, click

(Align and Distribute Objects Dialog).
(Otherwise, right-click and select Align and Distribute Objects > Align and Distribute Objects Dialog.)
The Align and Distribute Objects dialog box is displayed.

3. Click any of the following buttons to select a method of alignment or distribution.

	(Left Align)	Objects are aligned at the left edge of the leftmost object.
	(Center Horizontally)	Objects are centered relative to the middle of the previously leftmost and rightmost objects.
	(Right Align)	Objects are aligned at the right edge of the rightmost object.
	(Top Align)	Objects are aligned at the top of the top object.
	(Center Vertically)	Objects are centered relative to the middle of the objects on the top and bottom.
	(Bottom Align)	Objects are aligned at the bottom of the bottom object.

	(Even Horizontal Spacing)	Distributes objects horizontally, evenly spaced from each other.
	(Even Vertical Spacing)	Distributes objects vertically, evenly spaced from each other.

	(Center Vertically on Page)	Centers objects on a virtual horizontal line in the middle of the page.
	(Center Horizontally on Page)	Centers objects on a virtual vertical line in the middle of the page.

Objects are aligned based on the edges of their selection boxes. They are not aligned based on the edges of images they depict.
For example, if you align objects to the top of the poster, the top edge of the image depicted is not aligned to the top of the poster if it has a text graphic or if there is space between the top of the image depicted and the object selection box.

Using the guide and grid

Display the guide or grid on the poster and align objects with it to adjust the positions.

When selecting Ruler in the View menu, the ruler is displayed at the top edge and left edge of the poster design area. Use the ruler to check positions of the guide, grid and objects easily.

1. On the toolbar, click

(Guide).
(Otherwise, right-click outside the poster and select Grid and Guide > Guide.)
The guide is displayed on the poster.

3. On the toolbar, click

to the right of

and place a checkmark for Snap to Guide.
(Otherwise, right-click outside the poster and select Grid and Guide > Snap to Guide.)

4. Drag the object to the position where you want to adjust it.
The object is snapped to the guide when brought closer to it, and the position is adjusted.

If you prefer not to snap the object to the guide, on the toolbar, click to the right of and remove the checkmark from Snap to Guide.
Press the Alt key when bringing the object closer to the guide. The Snap to Guide setting can be switched while holding down the Alt key.

To specify the guide position numerically, on the toolbar, click to the right of to select Enter Guide Position and set a value in the Guide Position dialog box.

The ruler can be displayed at the top edge and left edge of the poster design area. To display the ruler, select Ruler in the View menu.

1. On the toolbar, click

(Grid).
(Otherwise, right-click outside the poster and select Grid and Guide > Grid.)
The grid is displayed on the poster.

2. On the toolbar, click

to the right of

and place a checkmark for Snap to Grid.
(Otherwise, right-click outside the poster and select Grid and Guide > Snap to Grid.)

3. Drag the object to the position where you want to adjust it.
The object is snapped to the grid when brought closer to it, and the position is adjusted.

If you prefer not to snap the object to the grid, on the toolbar, click to the right of and remove the checkmark from Snap to Grid.
Press the Alt key when bringing the object closer to the grid. The Snap to Grid setting can be switched while holding down the Alt key.

Making multiple objects the same size

2. Click multiple objects while holding down the Ctrl key or Shift key.
The objects are selected (framed in orange).

3. On the toolbar, click

4. Under Match Size, click either of the following buttons to match the height or width of the target object.

(Fit Width)

Each object is resized to match the width of the target object that was selected first. The objects' aspect ratios are not maintained.

(Fit Height)

Each object is resized to match the height of the target object that was selected first. The objects' aspect ratios are not maintained.

Grouping objects

By grouping multiple objects on the poster, you can work with the group as if it were a single object. This can help make selecting and moving objects more smoothly.