Aligning and combining shapes

You can align objects in Easel by selecting the object or objects you want to align. Once selected, use the alignment options in the menu to position them as desired.

This menu makes it easier to align, distribute, and lay out elements in your Easel designs. You can also quickly combine shapes, and adjust the layering of shapes in your designs by moving them above or below other elements in the design.

The Alignment menu

Select two or more shapes. The Alignment menu appears above the Shape and Cut tabs.

1–3. Align left, center and right

Line up the selected shapes along their left edges, their centers, or their right edges.

4–6. Align bottom, middle and top

Line up the selected shapes along their bottom edges, their middles, or their top edges.

7–8. Move forward and Move backward

Move the selected shape one layer above or below the other shapes in your design.

9. Combine

Join the selected shapes into a single shape.

10. Nest

Arrange the selected shapes to fit on your material. See Nest Shapes & Fill Material (Easel Pro).

11–12. Distribute vertically and horizontally

Space the selected shapes evenly from top to bottom, or from left to right.

Using the Edit menu

The same options are in the Edit menu, along with their keyboard shortcuts.

1. Layering (1): Send Backward (⌘ [), Send to Back (⌘ ;), Bring Forward (⌘ ]) and Bring to Front (⌘ ').
2. Group (2, ⌘ G): keep shapes together so they move as one, while each stays its own shape.
3. Combine (3, ⌘ J): join the selected shapes into a single shape.

On Windows, use Ctrl instead of ⌘.

Snap alignment

When you drag a shape, guide lines appear as its center or edge gets close to the center or edge of another shape or of the material. Let go and the shape snaps into line with the guide. Guides also appear when you drag straight across or up and down, to keep the shape in line with where it started.