Moving fields
You can move a selected field by:
� dragging the field to its new location
� nudging the field one pixel at a time by pressing the appropriate arrow key
� aligning the field
� changing the values at "Top", "Bottom", "Left", and "Right" on the Field Attributes form
This allows you specify exact values for the positioning of the top, bottom, left side, or right side of the field.
� changing the field's draw order.
You can also move fields from one form to another open form by dragging them while pressing Shift.
Using the grid
FirstClass Designer has a grid that helps you place and align fields. The grid does not appear on the final form.
To |
Do this |
display the grid |
Choose Form > Show Grid. To hide the grid, choose this command again. |
change grid spacing |
Choose Form > Grid Settings, then specify the desired vertical and horizontal spacing. By default, the grid dots are spaced eight pixels apart. |
force objects to align with the grid when you move them |
Choose Form > Snap to Grid |
Aligning fields
You can align a group of fields by selecting them, then using the commands in the Arrange > Align submenu. These commands let you:
� align the fields with the grid
� align the fields with the side furthest to the left, right, top, or bottom of all selected fields
� space the fields evenly horizontally or vertically.
Changing the draw order
The draw order of fields determines the order in which all fields will appear on a form. This in turn dictates what will be displayed if fields are overlapped, because fields that have been brought to the front of the draw order will be the ones that show on top.
You can change the draw order of a selected field by choosing Arrange > Draw Order, then one of the following:
Move Field Forward |
Moves the field one position forward in the draw order. |
Move Field Back |
Moves the field one position back in the draw order. |
Bring Field to Front |
Moves the field to the front of the draw order. |
Send Field to Back |
Moves the field to the back of the draw order. |
Enabling automovement
You can also use the Field Attribute form's Move tab to specify whether a field should be automatically moved when users resize the form.
To |
Do this |
leave the field at the original location |
Select "Leave" at both "Horizontal" and "Vertical". |
make a right-aligned field stay aligned with the right side of the form as the form is resized |
Select "Stick to right" at "Horizontal". |
make a field that is right at the bottom of the form stay at the bottom as the form is resized |
Select "Stick to bottom" at "Vertical". |
Copying fields
You can copy fields within the same form, or from one form to another.
To |
Do this |
copy a field within the same form |
Select the field, then choose Edit > Duplicate. |
copy a field from one form to another open form |
Drag the field. |
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