Instead of adding absolute values into input fields, you can add expressions. These allow you create new values based on percentages, mathematical symbols, and another field's value.
Use when resizing a document or transforming an object via the Transform panel.
Input | Result |
---|---|
+=20 | Increase value by 20. |
-=20 | Decrease value by 20. |
*2 | Double size. |
/2 | Divide by a half. |
50%, *0.5 | Decrease by half. |
120%, *1.2 | 20% bigger. |
Use when resizing a document or transforming an object via the Transform panel.
Input | Result |
---|---|
w+20 | Scales based on addition of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as width plus 20 pixels. |
w-20 | Scales based on subtraction of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as width minus 20 pixels. |
2*w | Scaling based on a multiple of other input value. Example is entered into Height box to set height to double the width. |
w/2 | Scaling based on a division of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height to half the width. |
Sq(w) | Scales based on the square of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as the square of the width. |
Sqrt(w) | Scales based on the square root of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as the square root of the width. |
w^3 | Scales based on a power of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as the width to the power of three. |
12pt / x | Sets the text's x-height to 12pt. |
For general use throughout the user interface.
Input | Constant |
---|---|
pi, Pi, PI, π | For Pi |
phi, Phi, PHI, gr, GR, φ | For golden ratio |
root2, rad, rt | For Pythagoras’s constant |
e | Euler’s constant |
Use when moving, scaling, rotating or shearing objects via the Transform panel.
Input | Variable |
---|---|
xposition, x | X position |
yposition, y | Y position |
width, w | Width |
height, h | Height |
rotation, r | Rotation |
shear, s | Shear |
Use when setting dimensions using the New Document or Document Setup dialogs.
Input | Variable |
---|---|
spreadwidth, w | Document width |
spreadheight | Document height |
marginleft, l | Left document margin |
marginright, r | Right document margin |
margintop, t | Top document margin |
margin, b | Bottom document margin |
Use when setting the size of text.
Input | Variable |
---|---|
xheight, x | X-height |
ascent, a | Ascent |
capheight, c | Cap height |
Use when sizing and positioning content using the Transform panel in relation to the page (spread).
spreadwidth, sprw, sw, pw | The width of the current spread |
spreadheight, sprh, sh, ph | The height of the current spread |
spreadleft, sprl, sl, pl | The position of the left edge of the current spread |
spreadright, sprr, sr, pr | The position of the right edge of the current spread |
spreadtop, sprt, st, pt | The position of the top edge of the current spread |
spreadbottom, sprb, sb, pb | The position of the bottom edge of the current spread |
marginsizeleft, mgnszl, msl | The size of the left margin on the current spread |
marginsizeright, mgnszr, msr | The size of the right margin on the current spread |
marginsizetop, mgnszt, mst | The size of the top margin on the current spread |
marginsizebottom, mgnszb, msb | The size of the bottom margin on the current spread |
marginleft, mgnl, ml | The position of the left margin on the current spread |
marginright, mgnr, mr | The position of the right margin on the current spread |
margintop, mgnt, mt | The position of the top margin on the current spread |
marginbottom, mgnb, mb | The position of the bottom margin on the current spread |
designareawidth, areawidth, aw | The space between the left and right margins on the current spread |
designareaheight, areaheight, ah | The space between the top and bottom margins on the current spread |
For general use throughout the user interface.
Input | Variable |
---|---|
Abs(x) | Absolute value |
IDiv(x,y) | Results in the integer (whole number) of x divided by y (no rounding is applied) |
IRem(x,y) | Results in the remainder of x divided by y |
Sin(a) | Sine |
aSin(a) | Inverse Sine |
Cos(a) | Cosine |
aCos(a) | Inverse Cosine |
Tan(a) | Tangent |
aTan(a) | Inverse Tangent |
aTan2(a, b) | Arctangent |
Min(a, b, ...) | Smaller of values |
Max(a, b, ...) | Larger of values |
Mid(a, b) | Average of a and b |
Average(a, b, ...) | Average of arguments |
Lerp(a, b, f) | Linear interpolation (a + (b - a) f) |
Clamp(a, lo, hi) | a if it is between lo and hi, otherwise lo or hi |
ClampMin(n, min) | clamp values below minimum |
ClampMax(n, max) | clamp values above maximum |
Round(n) | Round to integer |
Roundup(b), ceil(n) | Round up to integer |
Rounddown(b), floor(n) | Round down to integer |
Truncate(n) | Truncate n places after decimal point. |
Noise(seed / x, y) | Generate 1D noise either from a seed or based on X/Y input. |
Noise2(seed / x, y) | Generate 2D noise either from a seed or based on X/Y input. |
Noise3(seed / x, y) | Generate 3D noise either from a seed or based on X/Y input. |
Noise4(seed / x, y) | Generate 4D noise either from a seed or based on X/Y input. |