Anchoring

Concept

See the Anchoring Concept page for a conceptual explanation.

Take your time to explore

Anchoring can be explored by creating a blank document with at least two frames and following along with the guide below.

Select a frame to access anchoring properties in the properties panel.

The Default

When a new frame (text, image, etc.) is created, anchoring is set to Relative by default.

The default Target is set to Page.

Properties Menu

Select a frame, and you'll see the Anchoring section in the properties panel. Additional options may appear based on your selections.

Types of Anchors

Select a frame, then adjust the Horizontal and/or Vertical anchor.

Relative (%)

The image frame below is anchored to the page by default, with Left and Right set to 5%, Top at 14%, and Bottom at 38%.

If the page size changes (e.g., from 1080 px to 1200 px), the frame's relative position remains the same at 5% from the left and right. However, the actual pixel distance will change:

• 5% of 1080 = 54 px
• 5% of 1200 = 60 px

Precision

The anchors on screen show 2 decimals in the percentages. Behind the screens GraFx Studio calculates with full precision.

54.1432% will display as 54.14%

54.9876% will display as 55.99%

You can still enter the exact pixel location of a frame to start, and the percentages will show on the selected frame. (when set to relative)

Left, Right, Top, Bottom

Selecting these anchors sets the frame to a fixed offset from the chosen side(s).

Left

A fixed offset (in pixels, mm, inches, etc.) is set from the left target. If the page width changes, the left offset remains constant.

Right

A fixed offset is set from the right target. If the page width changes, the right offset remains constant.

Left & Right

A fixed offset is maintained on both the left and right sides. If the page width changes, both offsets remain unchanged.

Top

A fixed offset (in pixels, mm, inches, etc.) is set from the top target. If the page height changes, the top offset remains constant.

Bottom

A fixed offset is set from the bottom target. If the page height changes, the bottom offset remains constant.

Top & Bottom

A fixed offset is maintained on both the top and bottom sides. If the page height changes, both offsets remain unchanged.

Center

The selected frame stays centered relative to the target (page or frame), and its size does not change if the page dimensions change.

When moving the frame, it remains positioned relative to the center of the target.

Anchor Targets

By default the anchor target is the page, meaning any chosen anchor option (relative, left, etc.) applies to the page.

You can modify the target by selecting a new option below the Horizontal and Vertical anchor settings.

The box with four circles around it represents your frame. The animation next to it shows the effect of your anchor settings. In the animation, the blue box represents your frame, and the gray area represents your page.

Click the circles (left, top, right, bottom) or the center cross to adjust the anchor settings. Depending on the settings, some anchor targets may be restricted (e.g., if the left side is anchored, the right anchor cannot be set).

Anchoring effect on a frame

Below, you'll find a reference overview of the effect of changing the page size to the frame when anchored with specific settings.

Anchor to Page

By default, your frame is anchored (relative) to the page.

Anchor to Frame

Choose an anchor target (one of the four circles around the box) and set a new anchor point.

Example:

• Selected frame: Image frame of the house
• Horizontal anchoring: Set to "Left," meaning a fixed amount of pixels will remain on the left
• Left anchor target: Specifies the frame to anchor to
• Anchor left: Set to "Frame" (not page)
• Target Frame: Set to "Realtor" (the frame’s name)
• Target Anchor Point: Left

This setup anchors the left side of the house image to the left side of the "Realtor" frame.

The interface shows the offset in pixels (e.g., 79.50).

The solid anchor line on the left of the house image shows the offset (79.50) and stops at the left side of the "Realtor" frame.

Reference: Anchoring effect on a frame

Examples below show the effect of changing the page size, when a frame is anchored with these settings.

Explained: Center-Bottom

Let's explain one as example: Center-Bottom

Horizontally, the frame is anchored to the center of the page.

Vertically, the Frame is anchored to the bottom of the page.

Now, when you change the page size, the distance of the bottom of the frame remains equal. The horizontal posizion will remain centered in the page.

Anchor settings effect
Center-Bottom	Center-Center	Center-Relative
Center-Top	Center-Top&Bottom	Left-Bottom
Left-Center	Left-Relative	Left-Top
Left-Top & Bottom	Left & Right - Bottom	Left & Right - Center
Left-Right & Relative	Left & Right - Top	Left & Right - Top & Bottom
Relative - Bottom	Relative - Center	Relative - Relative
Relative - Top	Relative - Top & Bottom	Right - Bottom
Right - Center	Right - Relative	Right - Top
Right - Top & Bottom