In the new design tool:

*The CENTERED feature of the patterns tool works exactly like the old tiling that we used to have under more options ...

*press ALT+S to center the design on the designing area.

*to find the background colors, click on layers then options (on the left), then look on the right at the top... to get the color choices click on the background color tile.

UPDATE: background colors can now be found on the left under layers>options> however the color palette is still over on the right side of the screen.

*to find the "make this object a template" option first highlight the layer you want, then look on the right and scroll down behind the
preview panel or minimize the preview panel by clicking on the - (minus sign)

*to copy and paste, hit EDIT>SELECT> EDIT>COPY EDIT>PASTE
or highlight the layers you want and hit CTRL+C to copy and CTRL+V to paste

*to move your layer in increments, use your keyboard arrow keys... for smaller moves press CTRL+ARROW.
for diagonal moves
^ + > moves diagonally to the upper right
^ + < moves diagonally to the upper left
v + > moves diagonally to the lower right
v + < moves diagonally to the lower left


*you can delete layers several ways...

1.) select the layer and click the tiny trash can icon opposite from the rotate icon on the design area

2.) select the layer and use the backspace or delete key on your keyboard

3.) select the layer and hit EDIT>CUT

* Edit>Clear wipes the design area clean. Just make sure if you have elements that you want to keep that you lock them first so they will remain, then you can unlock them again after you are done.


* in order to hide any layer whether text or images click the little eye icon on the layer to the right. You only see them when you hover your mouse over the layer...

Blue means visible,
Gray means hidden.


to select more than one layer at a time click the layers you want one by one while holding down the CTRL button on your keyboard

or if you want all of them hit EDIT>SELECT ALL

then you can copy or paste or move them...

*UPDATE: (11/18/18) And now the old way of selecting multiple layers with the SHIFT key is back also

Select the first (top) layer that you want by right clicking on it, then while holding the SHIFT key select the last layer you want by right clicking on it (bottom), and all the layers in between will also be selected. This works from bottom to top also.

you can also move layers by dragging and dropping them or use the "FORWARD" "BACKWARD" controls at the top of the window.

ZOOM ISSUE *For the weird results when trying to use your browser zoom to enlarge the design area:

I found a little trick that works for me when trying to use browser zoom to see my design better.

You know how the sides get bigger and the design window smaller when you try to zoom in with your browser?

Well it also works in reverse... if you zoom out the sides get smaller and the design window gets bigger.

At least this works for me using Firefox. I can't vouch for other browsers because I only use FF.

but try it and see if it works and could be a temporary workaround for you...




That's all I have right now... please add anything you have found!

I hope this helps some of you who haven't had a chance to use it much yet.


There is also some helpful information when you click HELP at the top right or the ? at the bottom right hand corner.

I don't know why copy/paste is giving you problems... but as a temporary work around you might try the transfer design function found on the product page under the design thumbnail and see if that works for you.

I have found that when paste won’t work, if you hit clear under the edit option (on the item you are pasting to) then it will let me paste. It will ask if you are sure you want to clear everything and hit yes.

Malissa

Great tip! Thanks!

This might be a tech issue? not sure, or might need to go in the official feedback thread.

I think you are right, if you go into the designer to customize all the hidden layers show in the sidebar. So assuming that is what Anna meant it is not unexpected behavior.

Hey Shelli, thanks for starting this thread! I hope it becomes a sticky

your welcome! Thought if we could get all the tips and tricks in one place that would make it easier when we get stuck.

That would be nice if it was sticky! maybe the mods will pin it to the top for us? pretty please?

Thank you for sharing the tips, Shelli

I agree that this post should be sticky.

true... maybe I will just have to bump this one sometimes...

@Z forum Moderators

Is it possible to get this thread stickied? Pretty please!

Thank you that definitely worked but what a strange work around. It was so nice to be able to copy and paste easily between two designs in different windows. I love the forums for always being able to find the answers I need!

Bumping this thread to the top, it really should be a sticky, I forgot how to center and went looking for this thread.

Because there's no way I can remember the ALT combinations for moving objects, and because constantly looking at the shortcuts by clicking Help is distracting and time-consuming, I typed them up using a large font and printed them out. Until they give back the move tool to us, I recommend printing up something that sits right next to you on your desk. It truly helps.