Editing Numerical Values

Myrna Ailabouni

Updated November 17, 2024 11:05

Using Mathematical Operations for Input

When editing a numerical property, you can use the following mathematical operations:

()

There are two ways to use these operations. You can:

Enter the operation beside the existing value.

For example, to add 2 to a value:
1. Click in the data entry field you want to edit.
2. Type +2 to the right of the existing value.
3. Press Enter, or click outside the data entry field. The value is updated.
Note

You cannot use the % operation this way.
Delete the existing value and type in the operation.

For example, to add 2 to a value:
1. Click in the data entry field you want to edit.
2. Delete the existing value.
  
  Type +2.
3. Press Enter, or click outside the data entry field. The value is updated.
  
  In this case, the system remembers that the value was 6.4 and applies the +2 operation to that value.

Properties with Negative Values

For a property which may be negative, if you delete the existing value and then enter a negative number, the system assumes you are entering a new value and not a mathematical operation.

For example, when using slash and spread, the value for End spread can be a negative number.

Assume the existing value is 1.
You want to reduce it by 0.3. You could do it like this:
Which results in this:
However, if you deleted the existing value and typed in just -0.3, like this, the value would be 0.3.

Scale by Percentage

You can now scale artwork by percentage.

To scale artwork:

In the 2D window, select the artwork.
Go to the Context view.
In the Transformation section, at Scale, decide whether you want to scale the Width or Height.

Tip

Remember that you can toggle according to whether you want Width or Height to be linked, with a change in one being automatically and proportionately done to the other.
For Width or Height, click the unit of measurement, then click %. 100% is displaced.
Type over the 100% the value you want. The element is scaled accordingly.
Click % then click the unit of measurement. The actual measurement is displayed.

The following image shows this feature in action.

The item has a starting size of 30cm (Width) and 20cm (Height). Using scale by percentage, an increase of 10% (to 100%) is applied. As Width and Height are linked, both are increased by 10% resulting in 33cm (Width) and 22cm (Height).

Converting Values on Input

This feature allows you to enter numerical values using a different unit of measurement than that which is set by your preferences. When you press Enter or click outside the data field, the software automatically converts the value to be consistent with the unit of measurement set by your preferences.

For example, assume the unit of measurement set by your preferences is cm. The existing value is 10cm. You want to change this to the equivalent of 5 inches. You type 5 inch and the software automatically converts the value to 12.7cm.

The software recognizes the following measurement unit use cases:

5 inch
5inch
5”
5 in
10cm
10 cm

Tip

You can combine this feature with Using Mathematical Operations for Input.

For example, the following are valid entries:

+2”
+2cm
3+4”