What does the manipulation tool enable in a design application?

The manipulation tool in a design application is primarily designed to enhance the user’s ability to interact with objects in the workspace. It facilitates the dragging of icons or objects for real-time viewing of changes in design, allowing users to adjust the placement, orientation, or size of elements effectively. This real-time manipulation helps in visualizing how changes impact the overall design without needing to execute commands separately.

In practice, being able to drag and drop elements is essential for dynamic design workflows where adjustments are frequently made, enabling designers to see the immediate effects of their manipulations. This tool is integral at various stages of the design process, especially during the layout configuration and spatial arrangement of components.