How to center a layer ?

[Claudine]

Hi,

I feel really stupid because I don't remember how to center a layer on the canvas for Artrage 3 and 5.

Thank you for your help. :)

[HannahRage]

There isn't actually a single way to centre the contents of a layer, so you haven't forgotten anything!

You can centre the display on the screen (press X, or D to reset everything).

To play content in the centre of a layer you will have to either do it by eye, or add Symmetry, a Grid or Guide to help you place it exactly where needed (Guides can be placed at specific pixel distances from the edge, Grids have the option to start from the centre, and both let you 'snap to' to make it easier to place content).

[Claudine]

Wonderful answer, thank you-thank you!

[Claudine]

Is there a tutorial too? :)

[HannahRage]

See the manual for details on using Grids & Guides

https://www.artrage.com/manuals/graphic-design/guides/
https://www.artrage.com/manuals/graphic-design/grids/

And other tools: https://www.artrage.com/manuals/graphic-design/


A Grid would probably be easiest, as you can count the grid boxes to make sure your image is the same distance each side, but add a Guide ('at point') or turn on Symmetry if you have trouble finding the exact centre line. Add Grids and Guides from the Grid/hashtag shortcut in the top menu bar, or from the Tools menu. Editing options are found in the Layout panel.

Four way Symmetry (Tools > Symmetry) will divide the canvas evenly into quarters, to that is a good quick way to measure it out.

Snap To Grid/Guide will help you position it perfectly if you can lay the grid/guide lines out in the right places, the paint will snap to one edge, so you can't snap it exactly over the centre line, but you can align it to lines running down each side of the centre.

If you need to finetune the placement a bit more closely, add multiple Guides using the 'At Guide At Point' option to enter exact pixel values. To get the exact centre, divide your canvas width in half and it will place it that many pixels from the left. Then add/subtract half the width of your image to get framing Guides on left and right. You can do the same thing for the horizontal Guides. You can also just drag Guides into place from the shortcuts in the top left corner, the pixel distance will appear at the end of the line. Use Transform to re-adjust the lines.