How to center objects perfectly
Skill level: Basic
Programs used: Photoshop 6 |
In everyday photoshop use, we sometimes need to be able to
place objects perfectly on top of one another. In doing this we have to
use some menu commands which are simple, but not commonly used or known
by most. The use of these menu commands rids us of the need to have to count,
add and subtract pixels to center objects on one another.
I'll show you how the tool works on simple shapes first, then give some
examples on how this menu command can be used on everyday logos and images.
First, you'll have to create a canvas for shapes: |
| 1. Create a new canvas by selecting the "file>new..." command
from the menu. For the purposes of this tutorial, make it 500x500 pixels.
Fill the background with a white. |
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2. Now create a new layer by pressing the "new layer" button
 in the
layer details window. Select the "rectangular marquee" tool 
and make a perfect square in the top left-hand corner of the canvas by holding
down "shift" as you select part of the new layer. Click the paint
bucket tool  ,
and fill this selection with any colour. |
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3. Now create a new layer with the same button
and select the Elliptical Marquee tool  .
Hold "shift" down while dragging a selection to make a perfect
circle in the bottom right-hand corner of the canvas. For the purposes of
this tutorial, make sure it is not so big that it covers the square. Again
select the paint bucket tool
and fill the selection with a different colour. |
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4. Now we need to link the two layers with the shapes on them, by selecting
"layer 1" in the layer details window, and clicking on the blank
box next to the eye  so
the "linked" icon appears  .
This means that if certain commands such as move and align are used, photoshop
will only move the layers which are linked. |
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5. Now go to the "layer>align linked>vertical
centers" menu comand, and will notice that the circle has moved up
to the top right-hand corner of the canvas.
|
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| 6. Now go to the "layer>align linked>horizontal centers"
menu command, and the circle will move onto the exact center of the square. |
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Now that the two shapes are where you want them in relation to each other,
you can move them to where you want to place them by keeping them linked
and selecting the move tool  .
Left-click and drag the objects to where you want them. |
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This useful idea can be used to place logos on top of objects
or text on top of buttons:
 
and with buttons and text:
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