psp x3 aligning layers

[allandra42]

I am an average user and used to use corel psp alot more than I do these days but I am getting back into it since I do sublimation. I am more familaar with it than I am corel draw even though I own both. I have a psp image for a mouse pad that I have created and it is in alot of different layers so I can recreate the same mouse pad but change colors of the different parts as I need to. My issue is this I want to see how big things are such as the background and all I am getting is 2850 x 2400 at the bottom can I change this setting to inches? and when I want to center or align items it is grayed out whether I choose one layer or all layers. I can not use the alignment tools my layers are raster layers is that why? if so how can I fix that? Also this morning I checked for updates and it says I can upgrade to x6 for 29.95 and I said dont show this again. However I have since decided I may want to upgrade and when I went to the site it was much more expensive can I turn this nag screen back on and get that deal? would you upgrade if you had x3 or should I stay where I am? I know all upgrades are not better updates. Any help is appreciated. Lesa

[hartpaul]

Can you do a screen shot of your Layers palette showing what you have there and post it to give us more information on what you are trying to do.

[Cassel]

Here are a few answers to your numerous questions:

My issue is this I want to see how big things are such as the background and all I am getting is 2850 x 2400 at the bottom can I change this setting to inches?

Kind of, you can change that in File > Preferences > General Program Preferences and under Unit, change from pixels to inches and then display the rulers with View > Rulers. This will give you a visual indication of what it looks based on the size.

and when I want to center or align items it is grayed out whether I choose one layer or all layers. I can not use the alignment tools my layers are raster layers is that why?

That is exact. Those functions work only on vector layers.

if so how can I fix that?

You can align raster objects/elements using the guides. First, go to View > Guides and View > Snap to guides and make sure they are both checked. If you have your rulers out, grab an imaginary line inside the ruler and pull it onto your image. That will be the guide. You can pull as many as you want. Then, you can use them to align the elements you want.

Also this morning I checked for updates and it says I can upgrade to x6 for 29.95 and I said dont show this again. However I have since decided I may want to upgrade and when I went to the site it was much more expensive can I turn this nag screen back on and get that deal? would you upgrade if you had x3 or should I stay where I am? I know all upgrades are not better updates.

First, the special offer might be expired but you can also use EXTRA15 to get a 15% additional discount on any Corel product, until April 30th. However, you cannot use the upgrade on a PSPX3. You need to have X4 or X5 to be eligible for the upgrade.

Hope it helps.

[hartpaul]

If you do upgrade to X6 then you can have raster shapes on different transparent layers (selection tool make a shape and fill it with a color, then new layer and repeat with a different shape and color). Then if you hold control key down and select all those layers then Objects > Allign and Objects > Distribute work in much the same way as with vector objects.