Object Aligning

Object aligning is very important for the general appearance of an application.

• Try to use as few object widths and vertical lines as possible. Some fields can be made wider than their functionality demands, just to make a good aligning.
  
   
• Align labels on top of fields with help of Visual Studios snap lines functionality
  
• Align labels to the left of fields with the field's base line (the purple snap line), but do not place the label too close. Allocate enough space for the label to grow when translated to other languages. See "Translation Standards" for details.
  
• Space horizontally aligned fields with the margin snap line.
  
• Different groups of fields can be separated by 18 pixels (three times normal distance) to create a clear visual separation between the groups.
  
• Space vertically aligned fields with the label to the left, using the margin snap line.
  
• Space vertically aligned fields with the label above, so that the space between the label and the above field is 6 pixels (there is no snap line available for this space).
  
• The vertical distance between the lowest row of header fields and the child table or tab control below the header area should be 10 pixels.
  
• Use group boxes wisely. By introducing some extra space between groups of fields, group boxes can often be avoided.
• Never use a group box if all fields of a form or dialog will be in the same group anyway. If you need to explain the meaning of the fields to the user, use a regular label and write an explanation there instead. This is particularly relevant for dialog boxes.