7 Replies Latest reply: Jul 27, 2010 10:17 AM by Harron K. Appleman RSS

    Aligning Objects

    maf79 Community Member

      I have a logo where the letters are too close. I've already created outlines so I can't go backwards and fix the spacing when they are actual letters. I need to use the align tool to make them have an equal amount of space between each letter -- and I need to determine the space (not necessarily put it on auto).

       

      When I do this, I get an error that says:

      Please choose a key object by clicking on one of the select object(s) with the selection tool, or set the spacing value to auto.

       

      I am trying to utilize this tool as I do in InDesign (which I use regularly). I am baffled why it is not working. I'm using Illustrator CS3 on a PC in XP.

       

      Can someone help please?

        • 1. Re: Aligning Objects
          Wade_Zimmerman Community Member

          Did you select the key object by clicking one more time on an object to be used as the starting point.

           

          That is you shift select the letters then letting go of the shift key click on the letter you intend every other letter to be space from, or if you wish be the letter of spacing orgin.

           

          The letter will be highlighted after you click on it that one extra time. The feature allows you to choose the static target for aligning objects.

           

          OK this is what I think the problem is one the letters are grouped and yo u have to ungroup them for this purpose you might haveto ungroup more than once then you can select the letters with the lasso or selection tool not the direct select tool. after you lasso or shift select the letters with the selection tool then click one more time on the target with the selection tool even if you first used the lasso tool.

           

          A bit much about this should be able to do with the direct select tool as well.

          • 2. Re: Aligning Objects
            Harron K. Appleman Community Member
            1. Type converted to outlines are grouped by default. You must ungroup the converted type before you can treat characters as separate objects.
            2. Assuming you've ungrouped, did you, in fact, click on one of the characters to make it the key object for purposes of alignment/distribution?
            3. I'll assume you already know that mathematically uniform spacing among letters that have been converted to paths will not appear to the eye as though they are evenly spaced and that you will be making manual "kerning" adjustments.

             

            {Bumped by Wade}

            • 3. Re: Aligning Objects
              maf79 Community Member

              I purposely have the items grouped because the letters have multiple colors as shown. I'm far from an Illustrator expert. I tried compound path, but it takes away the light blue and doesn't allow me to change it. Suggestions?

              example.png

              • 4. Re: Aligning Objects
                Harron K. Appleman Community Member

                Individual letters that you want treated as single objects can be grouped. That should not affect the align/distribute operation.

                 

                I was referring to having the entire block of text that comprises your logo a single group.

                 

                In the example below, the typed word 'TACO' was converter to outlines, then ungrouped. The middle two letters were then regrouped before distribution was applied. Note that the leftmost letter 'T' was selected as the key object.

                 

                Distribute.png

                • 5. Re: Aligning Objects
                  maf79 Community Member

                  I apologize for being so dense.I don't know if I understand how to select the key object -- even though you're explaining it. And that's the error I get now:

                  Please choose a key object by clicking one of the selected objects with the selection tool, or set the spacing value to auto.

                   

                  The entire block of text is not grouped, only the parts that form the individual letter.

                  • 6. Re: Aligning Objects
                    Harron K. Appleman Community Member

                    After all of the objects you intend to align/distribute have been selected, simply click one more time on the object you wish to select as the anchor. Don't shift-click... don't cmd/ctrl-click... don't option/alt-click... just click.

                    • 7. Re: Aligning Objects
                      maf79 Community Member

                      ah...thank you so much. See, I need very simple instructions.

                       

                      I appreciate both of your help!!!!!