move registration point precisely (for rotation)
- I'm trying to create lots of tick marks for a clock-like object.
I can use the direct select tool to manually move the registration point to a position outside an object, but I want to move that point to an exact position (the center of my canvas). When I go to change the X and Y coordinates, it moves my object, even when the registration point (and not the object itself) was the last thing I moved.
How can I move this registration point to a precise location?
Answers
Hi dvboom,
The only way is to drag the pivot point while watching the X and Y positions in the Action Bar; it's possible, but quite tedious. As you have found out, it doesn't work to move just the pivot point by changing the X, Y values directly in the Action Bar. This has been a discussed counter-intuitive limitation, but it hasn't been changed.
Since you want to base the pivot point at the page center, the best way is to center your object on the page center by selecting it, use Edit>Cut (control +X) [yes, 'Cut'--stay with me here] and then use View>Center View, Paste. This places your object at page center. Now drag both horizontal and vertical guides to intersect at the object's pivot point. Make sure you have 'Snap to guides' selected under View (Control + Shift + ;). You can then move your object horizontally or vertically as needed and then drag the pivot point to the guides intersection point. Be Careful! The pivot point resets when the object is deselected.
If it is clock ticks you are after try this method that uses relative positioning with no hassle trying to find center points. Look here:
http://social.expression.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/design/thread/51e67f13-c0aa-44a7-865f-e2eb9f53ef4e
Once the 'ticks' are completed, group all and do the Cut and Center View, Paste to place them at page center.
Regards,
~Fred- Edited byFred C_ Saturday, October 24, 2009 1:15 PMcorrected link-Sorry for the error :-(
- Edited byFred C_ Wednesday, October 28, 2009 1:27 AMcorrection
- Edited byFred C_ Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:51 PM sp error
- Proposed As Answer byFred C_ Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:03 PM
- Marked As Answer bydvboom Friday, October 23, 2009 11:34 PM
All Replies
Hi dvboom,
The only way is to drag the pivot point while watching the X and Y positions in the Action Bar; it's possible, but quite tedious. As you have found out, it doesn't work to move just the pivot point by changing the X, Y values directly in the Action Bar. This has been a discussed counter-intuitive limitation, but it hasn't been changed.
Since you want to base the pivot point at the page center, the best way is to center your object on the page center by selecting it, use Edit>Cut (control +X) [yes, 'Cut'--stay with me here] and then use View>Center View, Paste. This places your object at page center. Now drag both horizontal and vertical guides to intersect at the object's pivot point. Make sure you have 'Snap to guides' selected under View (Control + Shift + ;). You can then move your object horizontally or vertically as needed and then drag the pivot point to the guides intersection point. Be Careful! The pivot point resets when the object is deselected.
If it is clock ticks you are after try this method that uses relative positioning with no hassle trying to find center points. Look here:
http://social.expression.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/design/thread/51e67f13-c0aa-44a7-865f-e2eb9f53ef4e
Once the 'ticks' are completed, group all and do the Cut and Center View, Paste to place them at page center.
Regards,
~Fred- Edited byFred C_ Saturday, October 24, 2009 1:15 PMcorrected link-Sorry for the error :-(
- Edited byFred C_ Wednesday, October 28, 2009 1:27 AMcorrection
- Edited byFred C_ Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:51 PM sp error
- Proposed As Answer byFred C_ Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:03 PM
- Marked As Answer bydvboom Friday, October 23, 2009 11:34 PM
- The link you included (the ticks.wmv file) doesn't work. I tried in IE8 and Firefox. Can you check?
http://social.expression.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/design/thread/51e67f13-c0aa-44a7-865f-e2eb9f53ef4e
dvboom if you go to this thread by Fred s answer you can find the working link
direct link: http://cid-b6d1dabbf49f6e3c.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Expression%20Stuff/ticks.wmv
http://social.expression.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/design/thread/51e67f13-c0aa-44a7-865f-e2eb9f53ef4e
dvboom if you go to this thread by Fred s answer you can find the working link
Thank you Germaine.
~Fred- Edited byFred C_ Saturday, October 24, 2009 1:23 PMadded link
