Can't position illustrator shape precisely.

[o2_Studios]

Am trying to position a shape precisely at position zero on the canvas. I enter "0" in the x-position field, and Illustrator jumps it to -.5 pixel location. It won't even let me manually position it at zero - jumps it to + or - .5 pixel point. Don't believe this is a "snapping" issue. It feels like the doc. has it's own grid that isn't necessarily alligned to the ruler readings, and the doc is alligning objects to the nearest pixel point.

I need to be able to position items precisely to the last pixel. How can I make this happen? Help!

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Check, if the Align to pixel grid setting is on. See transform panel and manual.

[o2_Studios]

That was it. Thank you! Not sure how to sync ruler with pixel grid so positioning works more seemlessly, but I will check the manual if that's what you are suggesting.

[Monika Gause]

You might be better off with aligning strokes on the outside or inside. It might get complicated trying to adjust the ruler to the pixel grid.

[o2_Studios]

It wasn't that I couldn't calculate or account for the stroke. Illustrator simply wouldn't let me place the object where I knew I wanted to. Obviously, I have to be able to use my x and y data field to precisely position my objects sometimes. Seems like those fields are based on the ruler and NOT the pixel grid. Guess I'll just leave pixel grid align off at all times. And, yes, then I will always position strokes outside or inside.

[Monika Gause]

BTW: the pixel grid is only important when designing for the screen. So maybe you don't need it anyway

[o2_Studios]

I design for the screen quite a bit. I've just read a bit about the pixel grid and how critical it is in getting sharp edges. Now what I can't find is how one syncs the ruler to this grid. Because if the ruler and the grid aren't synced up, then you have to choose one or the other (exact positioning or sharp edges). There must be a way to sync these two necessities.

[Monika Gause]

You can not reposition the pixel grid, but you can adjust the ruler by moving the crosshair-symbol in the upper left of the window (where the two rulers meet).

[LBrand]

For objects that were already created, turning the "align new objects to pixel grid" setting off doesn't resolve the issue. For folks like me who were frustrated that they'd already turned it off and it wasn't fixed, make sure the WHOLE transform panel is visible, select the offending item and then uncheck "Align object to pixel grid"

[Shailesh Charel]

In View turn of snap to pixel, this will do the magic