The DesignEditor allows you to get an organized look at all of the layers, objects, effects, text, and more. This article will guide you through the various options and settings for the Objects Tab. For the Layers tab, see: DesignEditor - Layers Tab
Objects Tab
Every time you draw a shape, create text, or add any element to your design, information about that element is stored in the Objects tab of DesignEditor.
- Each object is assigned a number to distinguish it from other objects of the same type. (For example, Rectangle 1, 2, 3...).
- Objects are stacked in the order they are created, with new objects being placed on top of older objects.
- Effects such as shadows, stripes, and outlines always appear higher in the stack than the object to which they are applied.
The Objects tab is an excellent way to view the structure of your document. You can see the elements in each layer of your document, as well as any effects and other changes that you've applied to each object.
Renaming Objects
- Click the desired object twice.
- Type the new name and press Enter.
Selecting Objects Using the Objects Tab
The Objects tab allows you to quickly locate and select specific objects. This is useful when your design is complex and selecting individual objects by pointing and clicking has become difficult.
To select objects, select the object names in the DesignEditor - Objects tab.
- Hold Shift to select a continuous range of objects.
- Hold Ctrl to select (or deselect) multiple objects.
You can select individual objects among compounded or grouped objects.
When you select objects in the design area, the corresponding items are automatically highlighted in the DesignEditor - Objects tab.
Changing the Order of Objects
You can change the order of objects by clicking and dragging them to a new location within the stack. You can change the stack order of objects within a particular layer, or you can move objects from one layer to another. You can also move and copy objects and use them to replace an existing one.
When moving or copying objects, a line will appear beneath the desired target object. When replacing an object, the line will appear through the target object.
To select more than one object at a time, use Ctrl or Shift.
To move an object to a new location:
- Left-click and drag it until the destination line appears beneath the desired location.
- Release the mouse button.
Alternatively:
- Right-click and drag it until the destination line appears beneath the desired location.
- Release the mouse button.
- Select Move and Insert.
To copy an object to a new location:
- Hold Ctrl and left-click and drag it until the destination line appears beneath the desired location.
- Release the mouse button.
Alternatively:
- Right-click and drag it until the destination line appears beneath the desired location.
- Release the mouse button.
- Select Copy and Insert.
To move an object and use it to replace an existing object:
- Drag it over the target object until the destination line appears beneath it.
- Hold Shift.
- The destination line will move up and through the object.
- Release the mouse button.
Alternatively:
- Right-click and drag it over the target object until the destination line appears beneath it.
- Release the mouse button.
- Select Move and Replace.
To copy an object and use it to replace an existing object:
- Drag it over the target object until the destination line appears beneath it.
- Hold Shift and Ctrl.
- The destination line will move up and through the object.
- Release the mouse button.
Alternatively:
- Right-click and drag it over the target object until the destination line appears beneath it.
- Release the mouse button.
- Select Copy and Replace.
Applying Effects
When you move objects underneath an effect, that effect is then applied to the objects. This is useful when you have applied a number of effects to a particular object and want to apply those same effects to another object. To do this, move the object within the hierarchy of the effect or group of effects that you want to apply.
Effects are applied to the objects underneath them as a group. It is not the same as individually selecting objects and re-applying the same effects.