In the 1.3.3 branch, the Align & Distribute window was not tabbed[1]. In 1.3.5 the A&D window was split into two tabs and it remains split in 1.3.9[2]. I don't know why this was done. I was unable to find any discussion of it in the mailing list archives. I suspect that users were confused by the similarity of the buttons, so the interface was split to avoid displaying so many similar icons at the same time. Making the interface easier to understand and less error prone for users is a great goal.<div>
<br></div><div>I have users who are still using the 1.3.3 branch primarily because the lion's share of their work consists of selecting items, aligning in one dimension and distributing in the other dimension. For these users, the same task requires 50% more clicks in 1.3.9 than it does in 1.3.3. I would favor (and be willing to work on) moving the align and distribute tabs into separate windows so that they can be displayed on the screen at the same time, but not by default. I would also be satisfied with the tabs being detachable like GIMP or Photoshop, but I don't have the time for such an ambitious project.<div>
<br></div><div>[1] 1.3.3 Align & Distribute: <a href="http://i.imgur.com/7Cgkv.jpg">http://i.imgur.com/7Cgkv.jpg</a></div><div>[2] 1.3.9 Align & Distribute: <a href="http://imgur.com/j2YtF.jpg">http://imgur.com/j2YtF.jpg</a></div>
</div><div><br></div><div>Drew Vogel</div><div><br></div>