Aligning Components

How to move components to align with another component

Using the Align command dialog box, you can align multiple components in various directions and orientations based on a selected reference component. The dialog box consists of two tabs - one for aligning components and the other for distributing components.

• Selection assigns a reference component and components to align to it.
• Align Position moves selected components to a location defined by another component without changing their orientation. The components can be aligned horizontally or vertically based on the left, right, top, or bottom edges of their respective bounding boxes relative to the reference component. They may also be aligned horizontally or vertically based on the centers of their respective bounding boxes.
• Align Orientation aligns selected components to a reference component without changing their position. Orients the X or Y axes of the selected component to the X or Y axes of the reference component.
• Distribute aligns components horizontally or vertically based on their left edges, center points, or right edges. The alignment occurs between the selected components, and does not use a reference component. Distribute also aligns components so that they can be equally spaced along horizontal or vertical intervals.

1. On the ribbon, click Factory tab Relationships panel Align . The Align dialog box opens with the Align tab active.
2. Using the Components selection tool in the Selection section, select the components you want to align.
3. Using the Reference selection tool in the Selection section, select the component to align to.
4. In the Selection area of the Align Position group, choose the edge on the bounding box of the component to align with the bounding box of the reference component.

   You can choose from among the following:

   • Align Position Horizontal Left
   • Align Position Horizontal Center
   • Align Position Horizontal Right
   • Align Position Vertical Top
   • Align Position Vertical Center
   • Align Position Vertical Bottom
5. The components selected in step 2 move to align with the reference component.

How to orient components to align with another component

Use the Align dialog box to orient the X or Y axis of selected components to the X or Y axis of a reference component.

1. On the ribbon, click Factory tab Relationships panel Align . The Align dialog box opens with the Align tab active.
2. Using the Components selection tool in the Selection section, select the components you want to align.
3. Using the Reference selection tool in the Selection section, select the component to align to.
4. In the Align Orientation section, choose either the X or Y orientation button to orient the components. The aligning components automatically rotate so their axes align with the axes on the reference component.

How to distribute components so they are equally spaced

Use the Align dialog box to distribute components horizontally or vertically based on their left edges, center points, or right edges. Components may also be spaced equally at horizontal or vertical intervals.

1. On the ribbon, click Factory tab Relationships panel Align . The Align dialog box opens.
2. Click the Distribute tab and using the Components selection tool in the Selection section, select the components you want to distribute.
3. In the Align Distribution section, choose the distribution option to orient the components.

You can choose from among the following:

• Align Distribution Horizontal Left
• Align Distribution Horizontal Center
• Align Distribution Horizontal Right
• Align Distribution Horizontal Interval
• Align Distribution Vertical Top
• Align Distribution Vertical Center
• Align Distribution Vertical Bottom
• Align Distribution Vertical Interval