Streamlining Layout Reformat
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Gary Beberma
#1 / 8
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 Streamlining Layout Reformat Is there any way to streamline the reformatting of a layout to make sure that fields are consistently sized and aligned? I have a fairly large layout--five columns, six{*filter*} rows, with each
block containing seven cells. The layout was originally designed with
fields quasi-aligned and of different sizes. I now need to add more
fields and it would be nice if I could get the layout to be more
readable.
But, FMP's tools (at least those I have tried) are not working as I
expect. For example, if I select a bunch of fields and change the width
in the Object Size box, then only the widest of the fields becomes that
width. The rest become smaller.
Is there any way to make them all the same width?
Similarly, is there any way to make sure that they have regular spacing?
Thanks,
Gary
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| Tue, 08 Feb 2005 21:58:16 GMT |
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Bridget Ele
#2 / 8
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Streamlining Layout Reformat It is possible to change the width of multiple fields under certain conditions (they must be all the same size and left aligned to begin with) by selecting all the objects then using the size palette. If the fields are misaligned or different widths the results can be erratic and unreliable. If you have one field the way you want it (fill colour, border colour, font,
style and so on) you can command-click it to reset the field tool to use
those settings in future. Doesn't affect size though.
If you have one field the way you want it INCLUDING size, you can copy it
then paste it so many times, then reformat the copies to other fields. You
can then align the fields (left to right) and distribute them (top to
bottom). Not 100% accurate pixel-wise but not bad.
I find the T Square very useful for getting objects into alignment. It
seems to capture objects that are being dragged towards it when they get
close enough. I also use temporary squares and rectangles (brightly
coloured so I won't forget to remove them) to help me line stuff up and get
the proper distance between things. Working in 200% or 400% magnification
(but not 150%) is also useful.
--
Bridget Eley
Quote: > Is there any way to streamline the reformatting of a layout to make sure > that fields are consistently sized and aligned? > I have a fairly large layout--five columns, six{*filter*} rows, with each
> block containing seven cells. The layout was originally designed with
> fields quasi-aligned and of different sizes. I now need to add more
> fields and it would be nice if I could get the layout to be more
> readable.
> But, FMP's tools (at least those I have tried) are not working as I
> expect. For example, if I select a bunch of fields and change the width
> in the Object Size box, then only the widest of the fields becomes that
> width. The rest become smaller.
> Is there any way to make them all the same width?
> Similarly, is there any way to make sure that they have regular spacing?
> Thanks,
> Gary
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| Wed, 09 Feb 2005 13:55:25 GMT |
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Chris Brow
#3 / 8
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Streamlining Layout Reformat is it true that FMP6 has finely got with the program and incorporated a Format painter to correct this true piglet of a shortcoming (q.v. omission a of a format painter? regards
Chris
Quote:
> It is possible to change the width of multiple fields under certain > conditions (they must be all the same size and left aligned to begin with) > by selecting all the objects then using the size palette. If the fields are > misaligned or different widths the results can be erratic and unreliable. > If you have one field the way you want it (fill colour, border colour, font,
> style and so on) you can command-click it to reset the field tool to use
> those settings in future. Doesn't affect size though.
> If you have one field the way you want it INCLUDING size, you can copy it
> then paste it so many times, then reformat the copies to other fields. You
> can then align the fields (left to right) and distribute them (top to
> bottom). Not 100% accurate pixel-wise but not bad.
> I find the T Square very useful for getting objects into alignment. It
> seems to capture objects that are being dragged towards it when they get
> close enough. I also use temporary squares and rectangles (brightly
> coloured so I won't forget to remove them) to help me line stuff up and get
> the proper distance between things. Working in 200% or 400% magnification
> (but not 150%) is also useful.
> --
> Bridget Eley
> > Is there any way to streamline the reformatting of a layout to make sure
> > that fields are consistently sized and aligned?
> > I have a fairly large layout--five columns, six{*filter*} rows, with each
> > block containing seven cells. The layout was originally designed with
> > fields quasi-aligned and of different sizes. I now need to add more
> > fields and it would be nice if I could get the layout to be more
> > readable.
> > But, FMP's tools (at least those I have tried) are not working as I
> > expect. For example, if I select a bunch of fields and change the width
> > in the Object Size box, then only the widest of the fields becomes that
> > width. The rest become smaller.
> > Is there any way to make them all the same width?
> > Similarly, is there any way to make sure that they have regular spacing?
> > Thanks,
> > Gary
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| Fri, 11 Feb 2005 08:30:54 GMT |
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Bridget Ele
#4 / 8
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Streamlining Layout Reformat Not sure, Chris - that is one of the new tools I haven't played with yet, but its certainly worth checking out. Bridget
PS "piglet" is too generous
Quote: > is it true that FMP6 has finely got with the program and incorporated a Format > painter to correct this true piglet of a shortcoming (q.v. omission a of a > format painter? > regards
> Chris
>> It is possible to change the width of multiple fields under certain
>> conditions (they must be all the same size and left aligned to begin with)
>> by selecting all the objects then using the size palette. If the fields are
>> misaligned or different widths the results can be erratic and unreliable.
>> If you have one field the way you want it (fill colour, border colour, font,
>> style and so on) you can command-click it to reset the field tool to use
>> those settings in future. Doesn't affect size though.
>> If you have one field the way you want it INCLUDING size, you can copy it
>> then paste it so many times, then reformat the copies to other fields. You
>> can then align the fields (left to right) and distribute them (top to
>> bottom). Not 100% accurate pixel-wise but not bad.
>> I find the T Square very useful for getting objects into alignment. It
>> seems to capture objects that are being dragged towards it when they get
>> close enough. I also use temporary squares and rectangles (brightly
>> coloured so I won't forget to remove them) to help me line stuff up and get
>> the proper distance between things. Working in 200% or 400% magnification
>> (but not 150%) is also useful.
>> --
>> Bridget Eley
>>> Is there any way to streamline the reformatting of a layout to make sure
>>> that fields are consistently sized and aligned?
>>> I have a fairly large layout--five columns, six{*filter*} rows, with each
>>> block containing seven cells. The layout was originally designed with
>>> fields quasi-aligned and of different sizes. I now need to add more
>>> fields and it would be nice if I could get the layout to be more
>>> readable.
>>> But, FMP's tools (at least those I have tried) are not working as I
>>> expect. For example, if I select a bunch of fields and change the width
>>> in the Object Size box, then only the widest of the fields becomes that
>>> width. The rest become smaller.
>>> Is there any way to make them all the same width?
>>> Similarly, is there any way to make sure that they have regular spacing?
>>> Thanks,
>>> Gary
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| Fri, 11 Feb 2005 08:42:26 GMT |
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Chris Brow
#5 / 8
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Streamlining Layout Reformat re generous piglet; too true. It is the one (missing) feature of FMP that has REALLY irritated me , ever since first use of FMP, and caused SO much wasted time and keystroke. I could never understand how an Apple/Claris derivative application could be missing something so basic, particularly when Excel and its demon brethren have had such a feature for generations. Chris
Quote:
> Not sure, Chris - that is one of the new tools I haven't played with yet, > but its certainly worth checking out. > Bridget
> PS "piglet" is too generous
> > is it true that FMP6 has finely got with the program and incorporated a Format
> > painter to correct this true piglet of a shortcoming (q.v. omission a of a
> > format painter?
> > regards
> > Chris
> >> It is possible to change the width of multiple fields under certain
> >> conditions (they must be all the same size and left aligned to begin with)
> >> by selecting all the objects then using the size palette. If the fields are
> >> misaligned or different widths the results can be erratic and unreliable.
> >> If you have one field the way you want it (fill colour, border colour, font,
> >> style and so on) you can command-click it to reset the field tool to use
> >> those settings in future. Doesn't affect size though.
> >> If you have one field the way you want it INCLUDING size, you can copy it
> >> then paste it so many times, then reformat the copies to other fields. You
> >> can then align the fields (left to right) and distribute them (top to
> >> bottom). Not 100% accurate pixel-wise but not bad.
> >> I find the T Square very useful for getting objects into alignment. It
> >> seems to capture objects that are being dragged towards it when they get
> >> close enough. I also use temporary squares and rectangles (brightly
> >> coloured so I won't forget to remove them) to help me line stuff up and get
> >> the proper distance between things. Working in 200% or 400% magnification
> >> (but not 150%) is also useful.
> >> --
> >> Bridget Eley
> >>> Is there any way to streamline the reformatting of a layout to make sure
> >>> that fields are consistently sized and aligned?
> >>> I have a fairly large layout--five columns, six{*filter*} rows, with each
> >>> block containing seven cells. The layout was originally designed with
> >>> fields quasi-aligned and of different sizes. I now need to add more
> >>> fields and it would be nice if I could get the layout to be more
> >>> readable.
> >>> But, FMP's tools (at least those I have tried) are not working as I
> >>> expect. For example, if I select a bunch of fields and change the width
> >>> in the Object Size box, then only the widest of the fields becomes that
> >>> width. The rest become smaller.
> >>> Is there any way to make them all the same width?
> >>> Similarly, is there any way to make sure that they have regular spacing?
> >>> Thanks,
> >>> Gary
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| Fri, 11 Feb 2005 08:58:36 GMT |
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Paul Brunea
#6 / 8
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Streamlining Layout Reformat Yes, it has one. Try the demo. It's free. PB
Quote:
> is it true that FMP6 has finely got with the program and incorporated a Format
> painter to correct this true piglet of a shortcoming (q.v. omission a of a
> format painter?
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| Fri, 11 Feb 2005 13:09:51 GMT |
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Chris Brow
#7 / 8
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Streamlining Layout Reformat I had tried to a month ago. The download process (read registration...) failed miserably their end twice. No response to email of course. Will try again. CB
Quote:
> Yes, it has one. Try the demo. It's free. > PB
> > is it true that FMP6 has finely got with the program and incorporated a Format
> > painter to correct this true piglet of a shortcoming (q.v. omission a of a
> > format painter?
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| Fri, 11 Feb 2005 13:43:20 GMT |
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Bridget Ele
#8 / 8
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Streamlining Layout Reformat I had a quick look at the new format painter in v6. It might be useful if you needed to change the appearance of a layout to conform with the formatting of one field, but it doesn't affect the size of the field. And its not easy to access in OSX where there is no button bar which means you have to activate it via a menu command (the menu command doesn't even have a keyboard shortcut). You can drag to select more objects or reset the preferences to keep the tool selected once it is activated (using Esc to turn it off afterwards) but why they didn't put it in the Status Area with the other drawing tools I will never understand! In v6 as in previous versions, attempts to change fields or objects of
different sizes to a standard size using the Size palette results in the
same old useless proportional resizing that we are all too familiar with.
Bridget
Quote: > Not sure, Chris - that is one of the new tools I haven't played with yet, > but its certainly worth checking out. > Bridget
> PS "piglet" is too generous
>> is it true that FMP6 has finely got with the program and incorporated a
>> Format
>> painter to correct this true piglet of a shortcoming (q.v. omission a of a
>> format painter?
>> regards
>> Chris
>>> It is possible to change the width of multiple fields under certain
>>> conditions (they must be all the same size and left aligned to begin with)
>>> by selecting all the objects then using the size palette. If the fields are
>>> misaligned or different widths the results can be erratic and unreliable.
>>> If you have one field the way you want it (fill colour, border colour, font,
>>> style and so on) you can command-click it to reset the field tool to use
>>> those settings in future. Doesn't affect size though.
>>> If you have one field the way you want it INCLUDING size, you can copy it
>>> then paste it so many times, then reformat the copies to other fields. You
>>> can then align the fields (left to right) and distribute them (top to
>>> bottom). Not 100% accurate pixel-wise but not bad.
>>> I find the T Square very useful for getting objects into alignment. It
>>> seems to capture objects that are being dragged towards it when they get
>>> close enough. I also use temporary squares and rectangles (brightly
>>> coloured so I won't forget to remove them) to help me line stuff up and get
>>> the proper distance between things. Working in 200% or 400% magnification
>>> (but not 150%) is also useful.
>>> --
>>> Bridget Eley
>>>> Is there any way to streamline the reformatting of a layout to make sure
>>>> that fields are consistently sized and aligned?
>>>> I have a fairly large layout--five columns, six{*filter*} rows, with each
>>>> block containing seven cells. The layout was originally designed with
>>>> fields quasi-aligned and of different sizes. I now need to add more
>>>> fields and it would be nice if I could get the layout to be more
>>>> readable.
>>>> But, FMP's tools (at least those I have tried) are not working as I
>>>> expect. For example, if I select a bunch of fields and change the width
>>>> in the Object Size box, then only the widest of the fields becomes that
>>>> width. The rest become smaller.
>>>> Is there any way to make them all the same width?
>>>> Similarly, is there any way to make sure that they have regular spacing?
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Gary
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| Sat, 12 Feb 2005 04:47:42 GMT |
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