What is the difference between "Move by whole pixels" and "Force Pixel Alignment"?

[Rob123456789]

Please can someone explain the reason behind the 2 buttons in the top toolbar for Move by whole pixels" and "Force Pixel Alignment"?

 

If you could give an example of when you would use one option over the other that would be helpful for me to understand.

 

Thanks, Rob

[MEB]

Hi Rob,

Welcome to Affinity Forums :)

Force Pixel Alignment, will force all objects to integer coordinates/dimensions, that is, will align them to the pixel grid. Move by whole pixels moves an object a "n" integer value, respecting its current coordinates even if they are not integer values. Lets say you have an object located at the X coordinate 10.6px: if you have Move by whole pixels enabled and move/drag it, it always ends up in a .6 pixel X coordinate - in other words it moves the object whole pixels values. If you disable Move by whole pixels, it will end up aligned to the grid (with its X coordinate ending in 0).

 

If you want everything pixel aligned you don't need this enabled (although it doesn't hurt if its enabled). If you want more control over the placement of objects, keeping their decimal values (for icon design for example to better control antialiasing) then enable it.

[Rob123456789]

Thank you Moderators, that explanation helped a lot :)