PhotoImpact 12 has several preset work modes. For this tutorial, we will be using the Full Edit mode so all of the tools in PhotoImpact will be available to you.

As you work, use your mouse to drag this along with you to mark your place.

LET'S GET STARTED

First, you'll need to download and unzip a tiny file that contains the objects we'll be using in this exercise. Download File. Open the file in PhotoImpact.

The alignment tools are located on the menu tool bar. They are activated when you load in an image and click on an object with the PICK tool. These are the options available:

The same options are also on the drop down menu under Objects. However, if you look closely, you'll see one more item - Space Evenly. This option is only available if you have three or more objects to be aligned.

Open a new image 350x250 (or your favorite size). Drag three of the oblong bars to your new image. Arrange them like the "before" illustration. Hold down the CTRL Key - use the PICK tool to select all three objects. Click on the Center Horizontal icon. This will center your icons horizontally (although in a vertical row). Wasn't that easy? They aren't evenly spaced but we'll get to that. Drag a few more objects into your work area. Arrange them in an uneven row that goes across (see illustration). Hold down your CTRL Key - use the PICK tool to select all of the objects and click the Center Vertical icon. They will be in perfect alignment (but still not evenly spaced).

CENTER LEFT/RIGHT/TOP/BOTTOM

Open a new image 350x250 (or your favorite size). Drag any four icons to your new image. Arrange them like the "before" illustration. Hold down the CTRL Key - use the PICK tool to select all four objects. Click on the Align Left icon. Now they all line up on the left edge. Just for fun, click the Align Right. The Align Top and Align Bottom work in the same manner with objects that are in a horizontal row.

SPACE EVENLY

Open a new image 350x250 (or your favorite size). Drag five of the small squares to your new image. Arrange them like the "before" illustration. Hold down your CTRL Key - use the PICK tool to select all five objects. Right-Click and select Align\Space Evenly. You will get the following menu: Select Horizontal and click OKay. Your squares will all be aligned perfectly with the same amount of space between each one but they are not the same height. While they're still selected, click Align Top. Now all the boxes are in a nice neat row.

TIP FOR EASY ALIGNMENT

Line up five boxes up next to one another. Hold down the CTRL Key, Select all tiles and align the top so they are even. While they're still selected, right-click, Align\Space Evenly\Horizontal. Now your squares line up at the top and all are perfectly spaced across the row. Again, while they're still selected, right-click, group. This makes it easy to duplicate and/or move that row around. Right-click again and duplicate the group. Line your second group up so it is just under the first one. Hold down the CTRL key, click both groups and align left. Make several more rows for practice.

EXERCISE

1. Make a 50x50 square using 3D Round mode in a color of your choice.
2. Using what you have learned, create an image 6 squares across and 4 squares down. Use the alignment tools to get the squares aligned, then right-click\merge all. Decorate your squares in any way you wish.

   If you need objects to decorate with, try the PIRC Search Engine to Search for Goodies. Use key words such as plants, animals, flowers, etc. If you don't know how to add objects to your image, you can make custom shapes, apply colorful materials and use the mouse to drag the custom shape on top of your squares.

   
   

You're invited to join the PIRC Fourm! This is an active PhotoImpact Forum where you'll find a wonderful group of warm, friendly, talented, and knowledgeable people who are ready and willing to share their expertise with you. There are creative activities for all levels of PhotoImpact users. This forum is 100% free and everyone is welcome.