Using rulers, columns, the measure tool, guides, and the grid

Using rulers columns the measure tool guides, and the grid

Rulers columns the measure tool guides and the grid help you position images or elements precisely across the width or length of an image.

Note: You can also align and distribute parts of an image using the Layers palette.

(See "Repositioning the contents of layers" on section 289

Using rulers

When visible rulers appear along the top and left side of the active window Markers in the ruler display the pointer s position when you move it Changing the ruler origin (the (0 0) mark on the top and left rulers) lets you measure from a specific point on the image. The ruler origin also determines the grid s point of origin.

To display or hide rulers:

Choose View > Rulers.

To change the rulers zero origin:

To snap the ruler origin to guides slices or Document bounds choose View > Snap To, then choose any combination of options from the submenu (See "Using the Snap command on section 172

(Photoshop) You can also snap to a grid in addition to guides slices and Document bounds.

Position the pointer over the intersection of the rulers in the upper left corner of the window and drag diagonally down onto the image A set of cross hairs appears marking the new origin on the rulers.

To make the ruler origin snap to the ruler ticks (Photoshop) hold down Shift as you drag. Note: To reset the ruler origin to its default value double-click the upper left corner of the rulers.

To change the rulers settings (Photoshop):

Do one of the following:

Double-click a ruler.

In Windows or Mac OS 9.x choose Edit > Preferences > Units & Rulers.

In Mac OS X choose Photoshop > Preferences > Units & Rulers.

For Rulers choose a unit of measurement.

Note: Changing the units on the Info palette automatically changes the units on the rulers.

For Point/Pica Size choose from the following options:

PostScript (72 points per inch) if you are printing to a PostScript device.

Traditional to use printer s 72.27 points per inch.

Click OK.

Using columns (Photoshop)

The New Image Size and Canvas Size commands let you specify image width in terms of columns Using columns is convenient when you plan to import an image into a page layout program such as Adobe InDesign and you want the image to fit exactly within a certain number of columns.

To specify columns for an image:

Do one of the following:

In Windows and Mac OS 9.x choose Edit > Preferences > Units & Rulers.

In Mac OS X choose Photoshop > Preferences > Units & Rulers.

Enter values for Width and Gutter.

Using the measure tool (Photoshop)

The measure tool calculates the distance between any two points in the work area. When you measure from one point to another a nonprinting line is drawn and the options bar and Info palette show the following information:

The starting location (X and Y ).

The horizontal ( W ) and vertical (H) distances traveled from the x- and y-axes.

The angle measured relative to the axis (A).

The total distance traveled (D1).

When using a protractor you can view two distances traveled (D1 and D2).

All measurements except the angle are calculated in the unit of measure currently set in the Units & Rulers preference dialog box For information on setting the unit of measure, see "Using rulers on section 43

To display an existing measuring line:

Select the measure tool .

To measure between two points:

Select the measure tool .

Drag from the starting point to the ending point Hold down the Shift key to constrain the tool to multiples of 45.

To create a protractor from an existing measuring line Alt-drag ( Windows) or Option- drag (Mac OS) at an angle from one end of the measuring line or double-click the line and drag Hold down the Shift key to constrain the tool to multiples of 45.

To edit a measuring line or protractor:

Select the measure tool .

Do one of the following:

To resize the line drag one end of an existing measuring line.

To move the line place the pointer on the line away from either endpoint and drag the line.

To remove the line place the pointer on the line away from either endpoint and drag the line out of the image.

Note: You can drag out a measure line on an image feature that should be horizontal or vertical then choose Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary and the correct angle of

rotation required to straighten the image will already be entered into the Rotate Canvas dialog box.

Using guides and the grid

Guides appear as lines that float over the entire image and do not print. You can move, remove or lock a guide to avoid accidentally moving it.

In Photoshop a grid appears by default as nonprinting lines but can also be displayed as dots. The grid is useful for laying out elements symmetrically.

Guides and grids behave in similar ways:

Selections selection borders and tools snap to a guide or the grid when dragged within 8 screen (not image) pixels Guides also snap to the grid when moved. You can turn this feature on and off.

Guide spacing along with guide and grid visibility and snapping is specific to an image.

Grid spacing along with guide and grid color and style is the same for all images.

To show or hide a grid or guides:

Do one of the following:

(Photoshop) Choose View > Show > Grid.

Choose View > Show > Guides.

Choose View > Extras. This command also shows or hides (Photoshop) selection edges, target path slices and notes or (ImageReady) selection edges slices image maps text bounds text baseline and text selection (See "Working with Extras on section 47

To place a guide:

If the rulers are not visible choose View > Rulers.

Note: For the most accurate readings, view the image at 100% magnification or use the

Info palette.

Create a guide:

(Photoshop) Choose View > New Guide In the dialog box select Horizontal or Vertical orientation enter a position and click OK.

(ImageReady) Choose View > Create Guides In the dialog box specify guide options and click OK.

Drag from the horizontal ruler to create a horizontal guide.

Hold down Alt ( Windows) or Option (Mac OS) and drag from the vertical ruler to create a horizontal guide.

Drag from the vertical ruler to create a vertical guide.

Hold down Alt ( Windows) or Option (Mac OS) and drag from the horizontal ruler to create a vertical guide.

(Photoshop) Hold down Shift and drag from the horizontal or vertical ruler to create a guide that snaps to the ruler ticks.

The pointer changes to a double-headed arrow when you drag a guide.

To move a guide:

Select the move tool or hold down Ctrl ( Windows) or Command (Mac OS) to activate the move tool ( This option does not work with the hand or slice tools.)

Position the pointer over the guide (the pointer turns into a double-headed arrow).

Move the guide:

Drag the guide to move it.

Change the guide from horizontal to vertical or vice versa by holding down Alt

(Windows) or Option (Mac OS) as you click or drag the guide.

(Photoshop) Align the guide with the ruler ticks by holding down Shift as you drag the guide. The guide will snap to the grid if the grid is visible and View > Snap To > Grid is selected.

To lock all guides:

Choose View > Lock Guides.

To remove guides from the image:

Do one of the following:

To remove a single guide drag the guide outside the image window.

To remove all guides choose View > Clear Guides.

To turn snapping to guides on or off:

Choose View > Snap To > Guides (See "Using the Snap command on section 172

To turn snapping to the grid on or off (Photoshop):

Choose View > Snap To > Grid (See "Using the Snap command on section 172

To set guide and grid preferences (Photoshop):

Do one of the following:

In Windows or Mac OS 9.x choose Edit > Preferences > Guides Grid & Slices.

In Mac OS X choose Photoshop > Preferences > Guides Grid & Slices.

For Color choose a color for the guides the grid or both If you choose Custom click the color box choose a color and click OK (See "Using the Color palette on section 259

For Style choose a display option for guides or the grid or both.

For Gridline Every enter a value for the grid spacing For Subdivisions enter a value to subdivide the grid.

If desired change the units for this option. The Percent option creates a grid that divides the image into even sections For example choosing 25 for the Percent option creates an evenly divided 4-by-4 grid.

Click OK.