Using Expressions for Numeric Values

You can type basic mathematical expressions to specify numeric values in Canvas X Draw dialog boxes and palettes. You can use addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication operators in simple expressions; e.g., you can type a fractional value, such as 2/3, in place of a decimal value.

To Type an Expression:

To enter operators in expressions, type a plus sign (+) for addition; a minus sign (-) for subtraction; a slash (/) for division; and an asterisk (*) for multiplication.

You can type parentheses to nest values and operators in expressions. Do not type an equal sign in an expression.

Canvas X Draw calculates the result of a mathematical expression when you press Tab or Enter, or click an Apply button, or move to another value in a dialog box.

To Modify a Value:

1. To use an existing value in an expression, click after the number to place an insertion point.
2. Type the remainder of the expression; e.g., to make the width of an object 3 times larger, click after the existing value and type * 3, and then press Enter. To make the value one-third as large, type / 3.

By entering expressions after existing values in the Transform palette, you can move objects incrementally; e.g., to move an object 3/4 inch to the right, type + 3/4 after the X value.

Specifying Measurement Units

In most dialog boxes, you can type abbreviations to specify measurement units. You can use this feature to override a document’s measurement units or the specific measurement units used in these dialog boxes.

For example, when inches are a document’s unit of measurement, you can type 1 cm to specify 1 centimeter. Canvas X Draw converts 1 cm and displays it as .3937 inches.

The following are the abbreviations you can type to specify a unit of measurement.

To Use an Abbreviation for a Measurement Unit:

In a text box that accepts numerical values, type a value followed by the abbreviation for the measurement unit.

Canvas X Draw converts the numerical value to the measurement units you are using in the document when you press Tab or Enter, or click an Apply button, or click in another edit box.

You can even type a mathematical expression using more than one measurement unit; e.g., you can type 1p+1cm.