How to align objects with one object fixed to its position

[MKJJ]

This seems to be a pretty basic and somewhat stupid question, but I can't get it to work. The simple task is to align objects with one object fixed to its position so that it doesn't move. A friend told me to select all objects and fix one object with ALT+STRG (on PC). While this creates a thick border on this object, it doesn't change anything: the object still moves. I tried it in Affinity Designer and Photo (both latest versions) running on Win10. Please, seee the attached screenshots.

Thank you very much!

[carl123]

Select all the objects you want to align

Set the Key object (the one you don't want to move) with Alt+Click - it should get the thick border

Now do Layer > Alignment > Align Left 

Does that do what you want?

This is for Designer- (menu sequence is different in APhoto)

 

 

[MKJJ]

Oh boy, I am so stupid. It totally worked using the menu, but not using the buttons. I missed the settings in the dropdown. In my defense I have to say that greying out the label is not the best idea in the world. 😁

Thank you very much for pointing me in the right direction! 👍

[carl123]

3 minutes ago, MKJJ said:

I missed the settings in the dropdown.

The dropdown is the problem.

It's not honoring the key object properly at the moment. Using the menus works OK

 

 

[MKJJ]

Well, it works in a strange way. I can't change the dropdown setting before I do the first alignment. However, I can change it and the setting is retained. It's not entirely intuitive, but it actually works and keeps the setting even after I close the program.

[bbrother]

18 minutes ago, MKJJ said:

In my defense I have to say that greying out the label is not the best idea in the world

This has been requested multiple times on the forum to not have the Align to: dropdown grayed out. If you would like to see this changed, please support this request for this very thing. Click the "Like" button or comment that you support this request. Here is the link to the request ↓

[MKJJ]

Done!

[bbrother]

8 minutes ago, MKJJ said:

Done!

Thank you for doing that. Merry christmas 🎅🎄

[MKJJ]

You're welcome. Merry Christmas to you too.

[Pšenda]

8 hours ago, MKJJ said:

It's not entirely intuitive

It is necessary to distinguish between "it's not intuitive" and "it's different from what I'm used to". In the aforementioned dialog, Affinity allows, in addition to "Alignment", to also perform "Distribution" of objects, which are two different functions with completely different parameters. It is therefore completely logical and in accordance with the principles of user control that the possibility of setting certain parameters - valid only for a certain type of function (Align vs Distribution) is enabled only "after" selecting the type of function, not before, when the choice of parameters could turn out to be completely irrelevant. If the dialog only allowed Aligning objects, which some other applications may have, then the order of selecting the function type and selecting its parameters would not be critical, and could be the other way around.

[R C-R]

5 hours ago, Pšenda said:

It is therefore completely logical and in accordance with the principles of user control that the possibility of setting certain parameters - valid only for a certain type of function (Align vs Distribution) is enabled only "after" selecting the type of function, not before, when the choice of parameters could turn out to be completely irrelevant.

I certainly could be totally wrong about this but IIRC one of the cited reasons for changing this was that some users were confused by being able to pre-select invalid options.

Personally, I think it is one of those things that some users will find confusing either way they implement it.

[bbrother]

@Pšenda

Your defense of the current UX design overlooks its inefficiency. Forcing users to see elements jump around before adjusting the 'Align to' parameter creates unnecessary disruptions. Good UX should prioritize user control and adapt to diverse needs. Allowing users to preset 'Align to' enhances control and predictability, aligning with best UX practices. Even with 'Align to' available beforehand, users can opt to follow the existing workflow. Moreover, 'Align to' is unrelated to distribution, as it specifically controls alignment.

[MKJJ]

Quote

Affinity allows, in addition to "Alignment", to also perform "Distribution" of objects, which are two different functions with completely different parameters. It is therefore completely logical and in accordance with the principles of user control that the possibility of setting certain parameters - valid only for a certain type of function (Align vs Distribution) is enabled only "after" selecting the type of function, not before, when the choice of parameters could turn out to be completely irrelevant.

I can agree with that. The major issue is, in my opinion, that we first have to run an actual alignment (that we might not want) before we can change the setting. In addition to that, using the distribution function does not change the dropdown. So, it wouldn't hurt at all to have it active all the time.