Actually, I don't really like this suggestion as it only works if all your content is on one layer.

If you have multiple layers in a project, you get in lots of trouble if you follow this path.

Grtz, Jurgen.

On 2013-11-13 20:29, Chris Tooley wrote:

I would group all your items temporarily (to make sure they stay positioned relative to each other), then modify the document settings to be square, then center the grouped items on the square page vertically and horizontally.

On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 7:29 PM, Chris Tooley <euxneks@...155...> wrote:

I would group all your items temporarily (to make sure they stay positioned relative to each other), then modify the document settings to be square, then center the grouped items on the square page vertically and horizontally.

The Align and Distribute dialog has a "Treat selection as group" checkbox which will keep the objects' relative positions without having to manually group them.

On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 10:29 PM, Jurgen Gaeremyn < jurgen.gaeremyn@...2644...> wrote:

Actually, I don't really like this suggestion as it only works if all your content is on one layer.

Edit > Select All in All Layers, plus the use of the checkbox in the dialog, usually does the trick for me.

On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 11:29 PM, Chris Tooley <euxneks@...155...> wrote:

Offtopic: is there a reason to work with layers? Is there a memory savings on that? grouping has always been sufficient for me...

Advantages of layers, for me at least:

1) Easy to show/hide so you can work on part of a complex image without the distraction of other parts.

2) Performance. If you've got lots of filtered objects then being able to hide some of them speeds things up considerably.

3) Security. Locking a layer means you won't accidentally move its content when trying to work with something on top of it.

4) Enforced z-index. Put something in the top layer and it always remains on top of the work you do in other layers. And the equivalent for the bottom layer. No need to shuffle things up and down that should always be at the top of bottom.

5) "Semantic separation". In other words, separating bits of content by their purpose.

In practical terms my comics have at least: Border, Background, Content, Text and Frame layers. With reference to the list above...

1) It's useful to hide all the content and text when working on the background. Equally for hiding the text when working on the content.

2) I make extensive use of filters. Being able to hide a filtered background speeds up the rendering when I'm working on the content, for example.

3) When zoomed in to work on a character it's easy to accidentally move the background without realising (as the selection box is outside the window). Locking the background helps with this.

4) My backgrounds are always behind the characters. The text is always on top of them. The frame that gives a clean edge to the comics (and prevents me having to be too perfect when drawing) always sits on top. Without putting them in layers I'd be constantly moving the frame to the top - and undoubtedly forgetting on occasion.

5) The people who translate the comics (usually) only have to deal with content in the Text layer. They can lock or hide the others to prevent any accidents while entering their translations.

I mix layers and groups as appropriate. Layers separate semantically different parts of the comics. Groups are used to hold all the bits for a single character or prop together - or to gather together multiple objects that all need to be clipped.

Mark

On 2013-11-14 11:37, Mark Crutch wrote:

On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 7:29 PM, Chris Tooley <euxneks@...155... mailto:euxneks@...155...> wrote:

I would group all your items temporarily (to make sure they stay
positioned relative to each other), then modify the document
settings to be square, then center the grouped items on the square
page vertically and horizontally.

The Align and Distribute dialog has a "Treat selection as group" checkbox which will keep the objects' relative positions without having to manually group them.

Hey wow... I actually never noticed this checkbox. Thanks for pointing out this great nugget, it's a new golden tip for me!

On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 11:29 PM, Chris Tooley <euxneks@...155... mailto:euxneks@...155...> wrote:

Offtopic: is there a reason to work with layers? Is there a memory
savings on that? grouping has always been sufficient for me...

I typically use it for 2 purposes: - multilingual documents: 1 (or more) layers with imagery - 1 layer for all language dependent items (could be text, but also f.e. a flag) - floor plans: I have evacuation routes, extinguisher locations, technical data, ... in one plan. Depending on the situation, I can choose what information to show or hide (f.e. for escape plans, the exact dimensions of a room aren't very relevant).

The advantage of locking items down, as Mark said, is also a big advantage for me.

Grtz, Jurgen.