{"id":2929,"date":"2026-01-14T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/?post_type=knowledge-base&#038;p=2929"},"modified":"2026-01-14T15:23:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T15:23:49","slug":"how-to-use-align-auto-size-and-distribute-tools","status":"publish","type":"knowledge-base","link":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-align-auto-size-and-distribute-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Align, Auto Size, and Distribute Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>DRAWings PRO XII<\/strong>, precise object placement is essential for high-quality embroidery designs. The <strong>Align<\/strong>, <strong>Auto Size<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-transform-designs-move-resize-rotate-skew\/\">Resize<\/a>), and <strong>Distribute<\/strong> tools allow you to organize multiple objects relative to one another automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These tools are located on the <strong>top toolbar<\/strong> under the Align and Resize sections.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><div  style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto;\"  id=\"_ytid_80977\"  width=\"1290\" height=\"725\"  data-origwidth=\"1290\" data-origheight=\"725\" data-facadesrc=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HvhUI-Upm14?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__ epyt-facade no-lazyload\" data-epautoplay=\"1\" ><img decoding=\"async\" data-spai-excluded=\"true\" class=\"epyt-facade-poster skip-lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"YouTube player\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/HvhUI-Upm14\/maxresdefault.jpg\" title=\"\"><button class=\"epyt-facade-play\" aria-label=\"Play\"><svg data-no-lazy=\"1\" height=\"100%\" version=\"1.1\" viewBox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"100%\"><path class=\"ytp-large-play-button-bg\" d=\"M66.52,7.74c-0.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79,.13,34,0,34,0S12.21,.13,6.9,1.55 C3.97,2.33,2.27,4.81,1.48,7.74C0.06,13.05,0,24,0,24s0.06,10.95,1.48,16.26c0.78,2.93,2.49,5.41,5.42,6.19 C12.21,47.87,34,48,34,48s21.79-0.13,27.1-1.55c2.93-0.78,4.64-3.26,5.42-6.19C67.94,34.95,68,24,68,24S67.94,13.05,66.52,7.74z\" fill=\"#f00\"><\/path><path d=\"M 45,24 27,14 27,34\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Important: Understanding the Reference Object<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before using these tools, it is crucial to understand how the software decides <em>which<\/em> object to align or resize to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Magenta Outline:<\/strong> Operations are performed based on the <strong>last selected object<\/strong>. This object will appear with a <strong>magenta outline<\/strong> (instead of the standard selection color).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Selection Order:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manual Click:<\/strong> If you click objects one by one (holding Ctrl\/Shift), the last one you click becomes the reference object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rectangle Selection:<\/strong> If you drag a selection rectangle around multiple objects, the specific object that was <em>last<\/em> included in the rectangle becomes the reference object.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Always keep an eye on which object has the magenta outline. If you align to the &#8220;Left,&#8221; all other objects will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-transform-designs-move-resize-rotate-skew\/\">move<\/a> to the left edge of the magenta object.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. How to Align Objects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Align tools allow you to snap objects to a specific edge or center point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prerequisite:<\/strong> You must select at least <strong>2 objects<\/strong> for these tools to become visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select the objects you wish to align. Ensure the object you want to use as the &#8220;anchor&#8221; is selected last (or has the magenta outline).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expand the <strong>Align icon<\/strong> on the top toolbar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose one of the following options:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Align Left:<\/strong> Aligns all objects to the left edge of the reference object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Align Right:<\/strong> Aligns all objects to the right edge of the reference object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Align Top:<\/strong> Aligns all objects to the top edge of the reference object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Align Bottom:<\/strong> Aligns all objects to the bottom edge of the reference object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Align Center Vertically:<\/strong> Aligns the vertical centers of all objects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Align Center Horizontally:<\/strong> Aligns the horizontal centers of all objects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. How to Auto Size (Resize) Objects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Size tools allow you to automatically match the dimensions of multiple objects to a single reference object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prerequisite:<\/strong> You must select at least <strong>2 objects<\/strong> for these tools to become visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select the objects you want to resize. The object with the <strong>magenta outline<\/strong> will retain its size; all other objects will change to match it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locate the <strong>Resize section<\/strong> on the top toolbar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the desired matching option:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Same Width:<\/strong> All selected objects are adjusted to match the width of the reference object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Same Height:<\/strong> All selected objects are adjusted to match the height of the reference object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Same Size:<\/strong> All selected objects are adjusted to match both the width and height of the reference object.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. How to Distribute Objects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Distribution tools are used to create perfect spacing between objects, ensuring the gaps between them are identical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prerequisite:<\/strong> You must select at least <strong>3 objects<\/strong> for these tools to become visible\/enabled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-group-ungroup-design-parts-for-efficient-embroidery-layouts\/\">group<\/a> of objects you wish to space out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expand the <strong>Align\/Distribute icon<\/strong> on the top toolbar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose your distribution method:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Equal Horizontal Spacing:<\/strong> Adjusts the objects so the horizontal distance (gaps) between them is equal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Equal Vertical Spacing:<\/strong> Adjusts the objects so the vertical distance (gaps) between them is equal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Troubleshooting: Why can&#8217;t I see the tools?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the Align, Resize, or Distribute icons are missing or grayed out, check your selection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Align\/Resize Tools:<\/strong> Are invisible unless <strong>2 or more<\/strong> objects are selected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distribute Tools:<\/strong> Are invisible unless <strong>3 or more<\/strong> objects are selected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Align, Auto Size (Resize), and Distribute tools allow you to organize multiple objects relative to one another automatically.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2930,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":""},"categories-kb":[333],"class_list":["post-2929","knowledge-base","type-knowledge-base","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categories-kb-how-to-training"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"categories-kb":[{"value":333,"label":"How to Training"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/align-auto-size-distribute-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"DRAWings Embroidery Software","author_link":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/author\/drawings\/"},"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge-base\/2929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge-base"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/knowledge-base"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categories-kb","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories-kb?post=2929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}