My Align Panel is not working correctly. I'm trying to create a grid of evenly spaced circles. It's not related to the Align to Artboard or Align to Selection settings - I checked that first. I also checked my transformation options after reading some of the forum posts. However, those boxes were already uncheck. Whenever I apply an alignment, the end result is something like this:
I've used the align panel before and it's worked fine. I even started this grid over from scratch, but every time I apply the alignment this happened.
I'm not sure if it's a hidden setting that causing this or what - any advice/insight would be greatly appreciated!
{Renamed by MOD}
2 Correct answers
When you try to distribute all the circles without grouping, the program considers their positions on all three axes ("Z" in this case is a Forward-Backward direction). So distribution becomes much more complex than you can expect. I would suggest one of 2 ways:
1) create the basic grid (use Ctrl/Cmd+D keys, and then remove unneeded items)
2) align/distribute each line/column, group each one, and then align the groups.
To create this grid quickly and easily, I would start with one circle, and use two instances of the Transform Effect to build the grid. Once you have your Grid, use Expand Appearance (and upgrouping a couple of times) to allow deletion of individual circles.
Explore related tutorials & articles
13
Replies
Hello, I tried your suggestions. Unfortunately this is the result when using distribute spacing:
It's producing identical results.
Align to Key Object is creating a single row of circles regardless of which object I choose as the key object and regardless of the alignment method selected.
Hi Anna,
That was exactly the issue! When I was first creating the grid I built it out with rows of circles, and the align panel was working fine. At some point I ungrouped the circles which was creating the problems.
Once I put the circles back into groups of rows, the align panel worked as expected. Simple solution and silly oversight on my part!
Thank you! 🙂
To create this grid quickly and easily, I would start with one circle, and use two instances of the Transform Effect to build the grid. Once you have your Grid, use Expand Appearance (and upgrouping a couple of times) to allow deletion of individual circles.
Anna
For a straight grid, the process would be the same as shown in my screen shots. The only change would be to leave the Vertical Move field at 0.
Start with a circle of a known diameter. go to Effect > Distort and Transform > Transform
That will bring up the pallet shown in my post above. Set the value of your vertical move to match the diameter of your circle.
Then go to the same menu item again, choosing Apply New Effect in the Warning box. This time, add a vertical move value that is equal to your circle diameter.
When you have the grid, Selected Expand Appeance in the Object menu, then ungroup twice to separate the circles so they can be selectively edited or removed.
AdChoices