Scaling constraints switch from Shift to Ctrl ??

[Grow Genius]

Anyone know why / if there is any logic to the seemingly random way scaling switches from Shift click on individial objects and multiple objects giving scaling from the lower left corner, to Ctrl clickas soon as the same objects are groupled, now scaling from the centre but shift no longer scales??

Am I missing some weird hidden option or is it just a bug?

[walt.farrell]

The default Setting for Move Tool Aspect Constrain is "Automatic (based on selection)":

Perhaps you would prefer one of the other choices:

Basically, with automatic: 

• if the object you're resizing has an implicit aspect ratio (e.g., an Image layer) then if you don't press Shift the resizing will be constrained to that aspect ratio. If you press Shift, the resizing will be unconstrained.
• if the object you're resizing does not have an implicit aspect ratio (e.g., a shape or a group of objects) then if you don't press Shift the resizing will be unconstrained, but if you do it will be constrained.

Many users seem to find this confusing.

[Pšenda]

1 hour ago, walt.farrell said:

Many users seem to find this confusing.

That's why I proposed changing the cursor type a long time ago, which would clearly indicate the type and change of behavior.

It's really confusing that way, even if you know it. That's why I have Automatic turned off in Preferences.

[Grow Genius]

Wow - that's so messed up in terms of workflow and minutae logic before meta logic and usability it's worthy of Adobe. Edit: Thank you for the info - looks like that's what I was looking for ( I searched for all the keywords before posting could not find anything).

I very much agree re: cursor but also it'd be a lot easier if they set key and a function globally to an intuitively logical default eg Click+Shift scales proportinally, not Shift doesn't. 

[debraspicher]

11 hours ago, walt.farrell said:

The default Setting for Move Tool Aspect Constrain is "Automatic (based on selection)":

Perhaps you would prefer one of the other choices:

Basically, with automatic: 

• if the object you're resizing has an implicit aspect ratio (e.g., an Image layer) then if you don't press Shift the resizing will be constrained to that aspect ratio. If you press Shift, the resizing will be unconstrained.
• if the object you're resizing does not have an implicit aspect ratio (e.g., a shape or a group of objects) then if you don't press Shift the resizing will be unconstrained, but if you do it will be constrained.

Many users seem to find this confusing.

This is my man right here because I have always overlooked this little detail in the preferences. And thank you, because I need this lol.

The Adobe reference by @Grow Genius is too poignant. One just accepts so many odd quirks as "the norm" after a number of years as "the way it's done" because there's usually no other option given, we must comply. I don't even entertain the idea that there might actually be a way out. But aah, there's a choice in preferences. Changing that right now.

And this is one reason I stick with Affinity despite the long bug list and any number of issues. Little things like this.

[R C-R]

3 hours ago, Grow Genius said:

Wow - that's so messed up in terms of workflow and minutae logic before meta logic and usability it's worthy of Adobe.

There is nothing wrong with the logic. It is based on the 'natural' (implicit) aspect ratio of certain object types, which is quite useful in workflows when you want to preserve that aspect ratio of those object types but not for the others without having to use a keyboard key for either one.

It is just not as obvious as it could be to new users, much like the difference between Pixel & Image layers. 

[thomaso]

8 hours ago, Grow Genius said:

Wow - that's so messed up in terms of workflow and minutae logic before meta logic and usability

How about this: The automatic setting enables us …

… to maintain the aspect ratio for objects that have a resolution or a 'usual', 'default' aspect ratio – and requires shift to allow stretching. e.g. Image layers, Pixel layers, Text frames. If stretched, these objects may get reset to 'unstretched' with the help of interface items, e.g. DPI value or Character width/height.

… to free scaling for other objects – and requires shift to maintain aspect ratio. e.g. shape objects, curve(s) objects.

I prefer the automatic setting because it works in most cases for me. ( – nevertheless, it may confuse if I'm not aware at certain moments or with certain object types, e.g. Group layers and especially with parts of vector illustrations that should not get stretched. For those the need to press shift may be disturbing – but still more comfortable than a need to press shift in general to either maintain or stretch.)

For Group layers it may be worth to get an outer handle added. (compare: Picture frames, Text frames)