Just discovered this!

I think the Xperts probably already know but, I just came across this.
Does it in XDP7 and XDPX. I'm not sure about other versions, but these two I have and I can check.

If you click to select an object, and you press the CTRL key, and then drag the object around the screen, you can move it in straight lines.
Left, right, up, down, in straight lines.
And at 45 degree angles as well.

You get a star shape that appears and guides you, to ensure that you are dragging the object on the line you want.

Try it!

Sorry Rik Van Winkle, this trick has been around since day one. Anyway, I'm glad you're awake now and and while you missed out with this hint you're next hint may be a winner... :D

Love this... use it all the time moving and lining things up. Great for webdesigns!

Yes, the program has always done this, (Ctrl means "Constrain"), but the indicator was new to V7.

If you set the "Angle constraint" in the Options dialog General tab, the indicator will show more or fewer "compass points" (although it does get slightly confused when the angle isn't a factor of 360...)

Phil

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Originally Posted by Seagull

Sorry Rik Van Winkle, this trick has been around since day one. Anyway, I'm glad you're awake now and and while you missed out with this hint you're next hint may be a winner... :D

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Sorry Frank, I never said this was a hint!
I just said I came across it.

I use CTRL all the time to draw straight lines (when using the Shape Tool), but had never pressed CTRL when dragging an object.
So, I just thought it was worth sharing, where a brand new user might just find it useful.

And, I've learned from Phil's post also.

It's one of the things I like about Xara, there are lots of these little ... not sure what is the right word ... functions I guess and it is always cool when you come across something you hadn't already been aware of.

I've used the program since around 1998 (when it was CorelXara) and there are still things I am learning about this stuff. I knew about the contraint angle and drag (it's handy for aligning dropped copies), I often use Ctrl to drag point handles when I want to resize a filled rectangle, for example, without changing the fill/transparency (I don't have a num pad on this pc so can't use the minus key for that).

Thanks for sharing Rik.

Regards

Su

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Originally Posted by Rik

I use CTRL all the time to draw straight lines (when using the Shape Tool), but had never pressed CTRL when dragging an object.

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Rik,

Better use ALT button for this;
If you make a habbit of this,you'll find that if you use the shapebuilder tool will also draw straight lines(alt not ctrl)
If you use the ctrl+alt,it draws straight lines at your angle constraints
and if using ctrl+alt+shift it is an eraser with straight lines in angles
This also applies for the eraser tool

Hans

..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sledger

..

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Steve,
Lost in translation?

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Originally Posted by haakoo

Steve,
Lost in translation?

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I'm with you on this one, Hans.

I've tried to translate what Steve said into Hindi as well (the language I grew up with) and I still could not make anything out of it. ;))

I think he's just trying to make some points. Successfully, I might add. ;))

Quote:

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Originally Posted by haakoo

Rik,

Better use ALT button for this;
If you make a habbit of this,you'll find that if you use the shapebuilder tool will also draw straight lines(alt not ctrl)
If you use the ctrl+alt,it draws straight lines at your angle constraints
and if using ctrl+alt+shift it is an eraser with straight lines in angles
This also applies for the eraser tool

Hans

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If I've understood what you say, Hans. Pressing the ALT key whilst dragging an object, doesn't do what the CTRL key does?

Rik,

I meant only the shapetool to create straight lines,not the dragging of an object on constraint angles(should have unquoted that part too :rolleyes:
But do you like the "key"features i mentioned in the SBT/Eraser,useful for retracing your steps
Also while zooming your drawing the nib stays the same size.
(none of these are mentioned in the helpfile though)

Hans

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Originally Posted by haakoo

Also while zooming your drawing the nib stays the same size.
(none of these are mentioned in the helpfile though)

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Hans, in DPX the Help file mentions this under 'Shape Builder'

Quote:

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Nib Size

There is a selection of 6 preset nib sizes on the Infobar. The nib size changes, relative to the objects on the page, as you change the zoom. In other words, as you zoom in, because the nib remains the same size on screen, it allows smaller details to be erased. While in the tool, you can press keys 1-6 to quickly select the different nib sizes.

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Originally Posted by Boy

I think he's just trying to make some points. Successfully, I might add. ;))

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Thanks, Boy.
I can't believe I didn't get that.

Good one, Steve. =D>

Steve,

The nib sizes are ,true
But the keys are not,might be evident to the experts here.
And the fact that if you use shift,it is painting negative,thus erasing
in erasertool it works the same way,shift repaints the area
Thought it be worthwhile to mention for us mere mortals

Hans

Hey Rik, long time.

Nah, the other night it was my play on word night and I thought it was a pretty good one myself, Rik van Winkle, indeed. People do discover neat things and post what they find, which is great. I remember the day I learned to push the negative key in the number pad while resizing. In your case, this one has been around for years, but I was simply saying that you're next hint may be a winner. I am sure there must be a bunch of these hidden away which nobody knows, or they knew but have forgotten, which seems to be happening more and more on my side of the fence, I believe. Can't think of an example at the minute, which can either prove or disprove my point........... :D

I did get the 'Rik van Winkle' bit, but I couldn't think of anything witty to come back with!

I use CTRL and SHIFT to draw perfect squares and circles, quite a bit, and just happened upon the CTRL and drag.

Like you say, I bet there are loads of shortcuts?!

EDIT: Hope to see you here more often, Frank.

"I couldn't think of anything witty to come back with!"

Yeah, I know where you're coming from. I am starting to notice my quick witty replies are becoming more often than not......." Oh yeah, well your mumble, mumble, mumble "

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rik

I think the Xperts probably already know but, I just came across this.
Does it in XDP7 and XDPX. I'm not sure about other versions, but these two I have and I can check.

If you click to select an object, and you press the CTRL key, and then drag the object around the screen, you can move it in straight lines.
Left, right, up, down, in straight lines.
And at 45 degree angles as well.

You get a star shape that appears and guides you, to ensure that you are dragging the object on the line you want.

Try it!

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Thanks for posting... I didn't know that.

...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by haakoo

Rik,

Better use ALT button for this;
If you make a habbit of this,you'll find that if you use the shapebuilder tool will also draw straight lines(alt not ctrl)
If you use the ctrl+alt,it draws straight lines at your angle constraints
and if using ctrl+alt+shift it is an eraser with straight lines in angles
This also applies for the eraser tool

Hans

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but there's a snag with that one which IMHO is a bug: when using a brush as a line, the ALT trick doesn't work anymore. bummer.