Using Layout Guides


FileMaker's various layout guides are strictly optional but you'll find that they make it much easier to create professional layouts. You can use them while you're creating a layout or to go back and tidy up previous work. Here's a quick rundown on how each guide functions:

Text Ruler: Provides a horizontal measure in inches, pixels, or centimeters (Figure 12.12).

Figure 12.12. The Text Ruler lets you choose your measurement units and includes icons for choosing fonts, alignments, and tabs.


Graphic Rulers: Provides horizontal and vertical rulers in inches, pixels, or centimeters (Figure 12.13).

Figure 12.13. The measurement units for Graphic Rulers, which aid horizontal and vertical placement of the selected object, can be changed via the Layouts menu.


Ruler Lines: Provides a matrix of horizontal and vertical dotted lines to help position layout objects. The matrix can be set in inches, pixels, or centimeters (Figure 12.14).

Figure 12.14. The Ruler Lines provide a visible matrix to help position layout objects.


T-Squares: Provides an intersecting horizontal line and vertical line, which can be moved to guide the positioning of layout objects (Figure 12.15).

Figure 12.15. The T-Squares option provides a horizontal and a vertical line that extends across the entire layouteasing alignment of multiple objects.


Object Grids: Provides an invisible grid whose measurement units can be adjusted. When Object Grids is on, layout objects "snap" to the nearest grid line.

Size Palette: Provides a set of number entry boxes that help you precisely position layout objects (Figure 12.16).

Figure 12.16. The Size palette allows you to precisely position layout objects via the numeric entry boxes.


To use the Text Ruler

1.

Make sure you're in Layout mode ( in Windows, on the Mac), then choose View > Text Ruler.

2.

Use the ruler or, if you have it turned on, the various text icons in the Text Formatting toolbar to adjust selected text as you desire. For more information on text formats, see Formatting Fields or Objects on page 203.

3.

To hide the ruler, choose View > Text Ruler again.

To use the Graphic Rulers

1.

Make sure you're in Layout mode ( in Windows, on the Mac), then choose View > Graphic Rulers. To adjust the measurement units used, click the upper-left corner where the horizontal and vertical rulers meet to cycle through the choices: inches, centimeters, or pixels. For more information, see To change ruler and grid units on page 190.

2.

To hide the graphic rules, choose View > Graphic Rulers again.

To use Ruler Lines

1.

Make sure you're in Layout mode ( in Windows, on the Mac), then choose View > Ruler Lines. To adjust the measurement units used, see To change ruler and grid units on page 190.

2.

To hide the rulers, choose View > Ruler Lines again.

To use T-Squares

1.

Make sure you're in Layout mode ( in Windows, on the Mac), then choose View > T-Squares. To adjust the placement of the T-Square lines, click and hold your cursor, then drag the line where you want it (Figure 12.17).

Figure 12.17. Adjust the placement of the T-Square lines by clicking on a line and dragging it.


2.

To hide the T-Squares, choose View > T-Squares again.

To use Object Grids

1.

Make sure you're in Layout mode ( in Windows, on the Mac), then choose Arrange > Object Grids ( in Windows, on the Mac). To adjust the measurement units used and the fineness of the grid, see To change ruler and grid units on page 190.

2.

To turn off Object Grids, choose Arrange > Object Grids again.

To use the Size palette

1.

Make sure you're in Layout mode ( in Windows, on the Mac), then select the object you want to position by clicking on it with your cursor.

2.

Choose View > Object Size.

3.

Once the Size palette appears (Figure 12.18), make sure you're working in the measurement unit you prefer: inches, pixels, or centimeters. To adjust the palette's measurement units, see To change ruler and grid units on the next page.

Figure 12.18. The Size palette provides details on the positionand dimensionsof a selected object.


4.

Type in the measurements you want in the Size palette's number entry boxes. When you're done, press in Windows, on the Mac. The object is resized based on your entry.

Tip

  • Use the Size palette while click-dragging an object to position a layout object exactly where you want it. Just select your object, open the Size palette, and click-drag the object while keeping an eye on the palette's measurements.




FileMaker Pro 8 for Windows and Macintosh(c) Visual Quickstart Guide
FileMaker Pro 8 for Windows & Macintosh
ISBN: 032139674X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 184
Authors: Nolan Hester

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