Pan control on stereo channel

Getting Stuff Done How do I .... ?
#1

Here is a basic question:

Could somebody explain to me how pan control works on the stereo channels in A3? I can see that I need to narrow down the width before I can pan left or right. What is the reason for that? I have not seen it that way in other DAWs - width and pan usually work independently.

Regards,
zbf

#2

@zaboomafoo: you could try the manual, of course:

http://www.manual.ardour.org/mixing/panning/
#3

Sorry Paul, I did not realize there is A3 manual. Thanks for pointing that out.
I think I am getting this … although the way I see it is - those “L” and “R” width indicators are just independent pan controls for the left and right channel (without being able to move them independently). The position indicator is always in the middle and helps moving the whole stereo image left and right (as opposed to adjusting gain of left or right channel only).

Regards,
zbf