How do you find X/Y coordinates and how do you set the reference point?

Hello,

I'd like to know how to see the X and Y coordinates of an object on a layer. I have a button on a layer, and as I move the button, I want to see the X/Y coordinates of the top-left corner. When I move the button, nothing is displayed in the Info palette concerning the coordinates: The X and Y fields are empty. The only way I can see the X/Y coordinates changing in the Info palette, is if I run my cursor over the image.

Also, if it is possible to see the coordinates, how do you specify for which reference point you want the information? In Illustrator, you can select an object, look in the Transform palette, and select the x/y reference point you want to see.

This is what the Photoshop help says about coordinates:

When the Line tool, the Pen tool, or Gradient tool is being used, or when a selection is being moved, the Info palette displays the x and y coordinates of your starting position, the change in X (DX), the change in Y (DY), the angle (A), and the length (D) as you drag.

Thanks for any tips.

If you enter Transform (Command+T) you will see X/Y position info based on the top left bounding box corner.

The 'top left bounding box corner' can actually be any side, corner or the center, depending on your settings for the 'Reference point location' in the toolbar/menu bar.

Oh, yeah. Good point. I was was just looking at the Info Palette, the XY info there does not change with the reference point. It seems fixed on top left corner.

"...the 'Reference point location' in the toolbar/menu bar."

We call that the "Options Bar" where I come from, podnuh!

:)

For the time being.
My money is on "Control Panel" for CS4.

Menu bar, options bar, tools, palette, palette well, floating palette, tabbed palette, docking panel, flyout, dropdown, et al can become a bit confusion. <g>

Neil

Add to that, the exact same things go under different names in other Adobe products.

the exact same things go under different names in other Adobe products.

All part of the story that the Adobe marketeers seem to be unaware of!

John,

I'd say, not so much the marketing team; but perhaps a lack this being communicated among the various product development teams.

Neil

Thank you all for your replies. I've got it now! The help didn't mention (or at least I didn't see it) the Options bar (or whatever you prefer to call it :-) )or how to change a reference point, so I was only looking at the Info palette.

Thanks again!

Neil

I meant that the sales blurb for Adobe Creative Suite products lays emphasis on the advantages of a common UI. There is a degree of similarity in approach but there are plenty of differences too.

(And adding Macromedia products to the mix didn't make things any better.)

John,

I hear you. But the marketing guys glean their info from the results of all the programming teams and then create and sell the sizzle.

And fully integrating Macromedia software into the fold has got to be a bit of a nightmare itself for both. Hey, we're still waiting for a successful full integration of the two Websites. <g>

Neil

I want to laugh but that's not funny...

Someone like me is victimized everyday by Adobe products that are half baked.

Neil,

Hey, we're still waiting for a successful full integration of the two Websites

"Waiting for" it or dreading it?

<lol> !!

I was being polite.

Neil