Quick links to procedures on this page:

 
 
 
 


Displaying and arranging objects

You can hide an object from view, align an object to image elements, distribute objects throughout an image, and change the stacking order of objects.


Displaying and hiding objects

By default, all objects are displayed in the image window. However, you can hide an object to make it temporarily invisible. While hidden, it is locked and cannot be modified.


Aligning objects

Objects can be aligned to each other, to the center of the image, to the grid and guidelines, or to the image window. For information about aligning objects to the grid and guidelines, see “Using the guidelines, grid, and rulers.”


Distributing objects

You can distribute objects by spacing them equal distances apart. Objects can be distributed vertically, horizontally, or both. Distribution is based on the distance between the centers of selected objects, or on the space between the adjacent edges of the objects.


Changing the order of objects

When you create multiple objects in an image, they are stacked on top of one another in the order in which they were created. The most recently created object is at the top of the stack, and the image background is at the bottom. You can move an object in the image window to cover an object that is lower in the stacking order; however an object always displays behind objects that are higher in the stacking order. Changing the stacking order of objects brings hidden objects into view or places the topmost objects behind other objects.

Photo Paint obj stack Displaying and arranging objects

Changing the stacking order places the bike behind the boxes.


To hide or display an object

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Displaying and arranging objects
 
In the Objects docker, click the Hide/Show icon Photo Paint pgx eye icon Displaying and arranging objects next to an object thumbnail.
If the Objects docker is not open, click Window Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Dockers Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Objects.

Photo Paint note Displaying and arranging objects

 
When an object is hidden, the Hide/Show icon Photo Paint pgx eye icon Displaying and arranging objects is grayed.

Photo Paint tip Displaying and arranging objects

 
When you hide the background, a checkered transparency grid displays. To customize the transparency grid, click Tools Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Options. In the Workspace list of categories, click Display. In the Display dialog box, modify any attributes in the Transparency grid area.

To align an object

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Displaying and arranging objects
1.
 
Select an object.
2.
 
Click Object Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Arrange Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Align and distribute.
3.
 
Click the Align tab.
4.
 
Enable one of the following options:
To active — aligns the selected objects to the active object. This option is available only when multiple objects are selected.
To center of document — aligns the selected object to the center of the image window
Selected to document — aligns the selected object to the image window
5.
 
Enable any of the horizontal and vertical alignment check boxes.
If you want to preview the alignment in the image window, click Preview Photo Paint pgx preview Displaying and arranging objects.

Photo Paint tip Displaying and arranging objects

 
You can align the object to the nearest grid point by enabling the Align to grid check box.

To distribute objects

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Displaying and arranging objects
1.
 
Select the objects.
2.
 
Click Object Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Arrange Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Align and distribute.
3.
 
Click the Distribute tab.
4.
 
Enable one of the following options:
To extent of selection — evenly spaces the selected objects
To extent of document — evenly spaces the objects across the image
By object spacing — lets you specify the distance between objects in the X and Y boxes
5.
 
Enable any of the horizontal and vertical distribution check boxes.
If you want to preview the distribution in the image window, click Preview Photo Paint pgx preview Displaying and arranging objects.

Photo Paint note Displaying and arranging objects

 
To distribute objects, you must have more that one object selected.

To change the order of objects

Photo Paint btnbacktotop Displaying and arranging objects
1.
 
Select an object.
2.
 
Click Object Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Arrange Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Order, and click one of the following:
To front — places the selected object in front of all objects in the image
To back — places the selected object behind all objects in the image
Forward one — places the selected object in front of the object it is currently behind
Back one — places the selected object behind the object it is currently in front of
Reverse order — reverses the stacking order of the selected objects. This command is available only when multiple objects are selected.

Photo Paint note Displaying and arranging objects

 
The image background is always placed at the bottom of the stacking order and no object can be placed below it.
 
When objects are grouped, they are considered to be at the same level in the stacking order. Therefore, you cannot place an object between individual objects in a group.

Photo Paint tip Displaying and arranging objects

 
You can change the stacking order of an object by dragging its thumbnail to a new position in the Objects docker. If the Objects docker is not open, click Window Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Dockers Photo Paint onestep Displaying and arranging objects Objects.
 
You can also change the order of objects using shortcut keys. Move an object to the top of the stack by pressing Shift + Page Up; move it to the bottom of the stack, but above the background, by pressing Shift + Page Down; move it up one step in the stacking order by pressing Ctrl + Page Up; and move it down one step by pressing Ctrl + Page Down.

Displaying and arranging objects