Arranging shapes in Photoshop involves using the Move tool and the alignment and distribution options to precisely position them. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:
Steps to Arrange Shapes
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Select the Shapes: Use the Move tool (V) to select the shapes you want to arrange. You can select multiple shapes by holding down the Shift key while clicking on each shape in the Layers panel or directly on the canvas.
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Access Alignment and Distribution Options: With the shapes selected, look at the options bar at the top of the Photoshop window. You'll find icons for alignment and distribution. These options are only available when the Move tool is selected and multiple layers (shapes, in this case) are selected.
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Alignment Options: These options align the selected shapes relative to each other or to the canvas. Common alignment options include:
- Align Left Edges: Aligns the left edges of all selected shapes.
- Align Center: Aligns the horizontal centers of all selected shapes.
- Align Right Edges: Aligns the right edges of all selected shapes.
- Align Top Edges: Aligns the top edges of all selected shapes.
- Align Middle: Aligns the vertical centers of all selected shapes.
- Align Bottom Edges: Aligns the bottom edges of all selected shapes.
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Distribution Options: These options distribute the selected shapes evenly between the leftmost and rightmost shapes (for horizontal distribution) or the topmost and bottommost shapes (for vertical distribution). Common distribution options include:
- Distribute Horizontal Centers: Spaces the horizontal centers of all selected shapes evenly.
- Distribute Vertical Centers: Spaces the vertical centers of all selected shapes evenly.
- Distribute Left Edges: Spaces the left edges of all selected shapes evenly.
- Distribute Right Edges: Spaces the right edges of all selected shapes evenly.
- Distribute Top Edges: Spaces the top edges of all selected shapes evenly.
- Distribute Bottom Edges: Spaces the bottom edges of all selected shapes evenly.
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Arranging by Eye & Smart Guides: You can also manually arrange shapes by dragging them with the Move tool. Photoshop's Smart Guides (View > Show > Smart Guides) will help you align shapes to each other and to the canvas by displaying temporary guides as you move the shapes.
Example
Let's say you have three rectangles of different sizes. You want to align their tops and distribute them evenly horizontally.
- Select all three rectangle layers using the Move tool and Shift-clicking.
- In the options bar, click the "Align Top Edges" icon. The rectangles will now be aligned at their top edges.
- Next, click the "Distribute Horizontal Centers" icon. The rectangles will now be evenly spaced horizontally.
By using these alignment and distribution options, you can precisely arrange shapes in Photoshop, ensuring a clean and professional design.
