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Move objects using their Center as a handle...


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Hello!

Often there can be the situation that you want to move (more exact: translate) selected object(s) by some distance given by other existing objects/snappable targets on the artboard.

I'd like to propose a very simple way to achieve this - by being able to use the Center as a handle. See attached image.

Maybe holding CTRL while dragging the Center could invoke this 'locked' mode.

 

Most 3d graphics apps have an Axis tripod (= the analogy to the Center here), and in some (Cinema 4D, Rhino, Softimage, ...) the axis can be used in the exact same way. It's called "temporary pivot", or "working pivot". Very useful!

 

Example: imagine a ladder, with equidistant rungs. One rung is missing, and you want to copy the neighbour rung to fill the hole. How would you get the right snapping distance quickly?

With this method, it'd be simple.

 

The Center, by now, is used to 'assist' Rotate and Scale. It could easily be utilized to assist with Move, too.

 

Hope it's clear. Thanks for considering!

 

 

move with Axis.jpg

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With your ladder example: are you aware that AD's ability to snap to gaps and distances already makes this possible?

 

As a workaround for your illustrated example…

  1. Draw a line from your blob to the 1sr node on the target shape.
  2. Select the line and the blob.
  3. Snap the line to the 2nd node of the target shape using the node tool.
  4. Delete the line.

5af3784214c65_AffinitySnapwithOffset.gif.8aa71b52c1a539ec77281450477df3c7.gif

 

NOTE: If you use the move tool the line will not snap to nodes but only the bounding box of the target.

 

Also ensure that Snap to Geometry is turned on.

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Hi! Thanks for the tip!

However, it's a workaround.

> change to the Pen tool > draw a line > change to the Node tool > select the nodes > move the nodes > select line > delete line > done.

If you could choose, would you prefer that, or what I proposed:

move the Center > move the Center holding CTRL > done.

 

At the end of the day, a good interface is about saving mouse clicks, and thus paving the way for a smooth, fast and fluent workflow, right?

Just mentioning, because you didn't click the 'like' button, so I'm a bit under the impression that you are satisfied with the way this can be achieved as of now.

 

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To be honest it isn't something I need to do often.

 

I have no objection to your proposed feature, it is certainly more elegant than my workaround, however there are are numerous UI improvements that I would request before this one!

 

For example…

Being able to use the numeric keypad as shortcuts distinct from the standard numerals.

Show / Hide the rotation center via keypress or better yet a mouse shortcut.

The ability to search the existing keyboard shortcuts by key or action.

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I do this feature request / testing thing for some time now, like years, for numerous applications (3ds Max, Softimage back in the days, Rhino, ...) and it's a common mistake to believe we have any influence on the order of these (usually long) wishlists.

The fact that you don't vote for a good idea won't bring your other wishes any quicker to realization. Last word's always on Affinity.

 

It is and should be simple, actucally: if you like a suggestion, vote for it. Never mind when or how it gets implemented.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • Staff

I can look into it for 1.7.

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  • 2 months later...
  • Staff

I already did it.  It will be in 1.7.

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2 minutes ago, Ben said:

I already did it.  It will be in 1.7.

Is it too soon for you to say how close we are to seeing 1.7?

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  • Staff

Not too far away.

Technically it'll be rolled into the Publisher Beta.  So, I'd expect us to have Photo and Designer Betas at some point too.  Of course, 1.7 is going to be in Beta for some time, so an App Store release is some time away yet.

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

It is working for me on Windows, using right-mouse as the modifier.

  1. Move the center.
  2. Hold left mouse, then hold right mouse as well.
  3. Move and snap as requested.

Win10 Home x64   |   AMD Ryzen 7 2700X @ 3.7GHz   |   48 GB RAM   |   1TB SSD   |   nVidia GTX 1660   |   Wacom Intuos Pro

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21 hours ago, Aammppaa said:

It is working for me on Windows, using right-mouse as the modifier.

  1. Move the center.
  2. Hold left mouse, then hold right mouse as well.
  3. Move and snap as requested.

Hi @Aammppaa,

thanks for the explanation. I was looking for this, too, and could not find it.

It needs a little training, though. It is important to first release the left mouse button and still hold the right mouse button. Then release the right mouse button.
Releasing the right mouse button first only moves the center.

d.

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On 11/24/2018 at 4:33 PM, Aammppaa said:

Hold left mouse, then hold right mouse as well.

That’s useless to me if I’m using my Windows laptop without my trackball. It’s physically impossible to press down on both the left and right button areas of the touchpad at the same time. :(

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Affinity Designer/Photo/Publisher 2 for Windows • Windows 10 Home/Pro
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Gosh, you are right! That friggin right mouse button has to be held as well...

A-Team, please listen: stop that nonsense with the right mouse button as modifier key! It's simply not a good idea.

It's very hard and fumbly to do that with a Wacom pen, which is my input device of choice.

 

Same goes for the feature "Select object when intersects with the selection marquee", which is also invoked when pressing LMB and RMB at the same time.

This is simply unergonomic, could you please listen to that feedback you got from many people already and change it to some modifier key on the keyboard?

Thanks so much for the feature, though!!

 

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