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ElixirForm

for AFP™

User Guide

June 1999

Version 4.00

Elixir Technologies Corporation P.O. Box 1559 Ojai, CA 93024

June 1999 Version 4.00 Printed in the United States of America

Trademarks and Service Marks/Company: DocuMerge/Image Sciences Corporation

Elixir/Elixir Technologies Corporation HP, LaserJet/Hewlett Packard Company IBM, Personal Computer AT, PS/2, and all IBM products mentioned in this publication are trademarks of International Business Machines Logitech/Logitech, Inc. MS-DOS, Windows, Microsoft Mouse/Microsoft Corporation

All other product names and trade names used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Copyright protection claimed includes all forms and matters of copyrightable material and information now allowed by statutory or judicial law or hereinafter granted, including without limitation, material generated from the software programs which are displayed on the screen such as icons, screen display looks, etc.

Changes are periodically made to this document. Changes, technical inaccuracies and typographic errors will be corrected in subsequent editions.

Table of contents

1. Introduction 1-1

ElixirForm overview 1-1 Customer support 1-3 Elixir training 1-3 Who should use this guide 1-3 Conventions 1-4

Display conventions 1-4

Typographical conventions 1-4 On-line Help 1-5 Organization of this guide 1-7 Installation 1-8 Starting ElixirForm 1-8 Exiting ElixirForm 1-8

2. ElixirForm basics 2-1

ElixirForm window 2-1 Toolbox <F10> 2-2

Select tool 2-3

Copy 2-3 Delete 2-3 Group filter options 2-3 Number of Copies 2-3 Movement Selection 2-4 Copy - Horizontal Distance 2-4

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Copy - Horizontal Distance

- On/Off 2-4 Sticky Lines - On/Off 2-4 Copy - Vertical Distance 2-4 Copy - Vertical Distance -

On/Off 2-5

Line tool 2-5

Line - Direction 2-5 Custom Line/Border

Thickness 2-5 Line - Style 2-5 Line - Color 2-5

Path tool 2-5

Path - Shape 2-5 Path - Direction 2-6 Path - Beginning Style 2-6 Path - End Style 2-6 Custom Line/Border

Thickness 2-6 Line/Border Style 2-6 Path - Finish Drawing 2-6 Path - Color 2-7 Path - Fill Color 2-7 Object Fill Pattern/Shading 2-7 Path - Connection Radius 2-7

Box tool 2-7

Box Predefined Shape 2-7 Box - Positioning -

Center/Top Left 2-8 Box - Shape -

Oblong/Square 2-8 Box - Diagonals 2-8 Custom Line/Border

Thickness 2-8 Box - Line/Border Style 2-8

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Box - Border/Split Thickness and Style 2-8

Box - Horizontal Splits 2-9 Box - Vertical Splits 2-9 Box - Color 2-9 Box - Fill Color 2-9 Object Fill Pattern/Shading 2-9 Box - Corner Radius 2-10

Circle tool 2-10

Circle - Radius 2-10 Circle - Drawing Method 2-10 Circle - Diagonals 2-10 Custom Line/Border

Thickness 2-11 Circle - Border Style 2-11 Circle - Start and Finish

Angle 2-11 Circle - Color 2-11 Circle - Fill Color 2-11 Object Fill Pattern/Shading 2-11 Circle Axis 2-12

Text tool 2-12

Text - Direction 2-12 Text - Inter-character/Inter-

word Spacing 2-12 Text - Word Wrapping 2-13 Text - Remove Redundant

Spaces 2-13 Text - Split String 2-13 Text - Justification 2-13 Text - Positioning 2-13 Text - Lines per Inch 2-13 Text - Lines per Inch -

ON/OFF 2-14 Text - Text Color 2-14

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Toolbar 2-18

DocuTag/DataMerge - Data Tags - ON/OFF 2-14

Text - Column Width 2-14 Text - Draw Column Box

Boundaries 2-15 Text - Column Height 2-15 Text - Set Column

Width/Height to Define Box

- ON/OFF 2-15 Font Type 2-16 Text - Add/Remove Font

from List 2-16 Text - Load Font List/Merge

Font List/Save Font List

2-16 Text - Soft Keyboard 2-16 Font Preview Panel 2-17

Image tool 2-17

Image - Name 2-17 Image -

SizeHorizontal/Vertical 2-17 Image - Color 2-17 Image - Fill Color 2-17 Image - Load 2-17

Digital ruler 2-18 Current object - Shape 2-18 Current object - Start Coordinates 2-18 Current object - Dimensions 2-18 Graphic ruler <F3> 2-19 Grid Display <F4> 2-19 Snap to Grid <F5> 2-20 Long Crosshair <F6> 2-20 Zoom in/out 2-20 Undo/Redo 2-21 Spell Check 2-21

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Show/hide Toolbox 2-21 Menu bars 2-21 Creating a form 2-22

Designing a new form 2-22

Reproducing an existing form 2-22

Designing a form to fit in a window

envelope 2-22

Designing a form for merged data 2-22 Loading a form 2-23

Loading a new form <F9 > 2-23

Loading a saved form <F8 > 2-23

Loading GEM forms 2-24 Merging a form group 2-24 Loading a form template 2-25 Selecting template defaults 2-25

Adding form elements 2-26 Using color 2-26 Saving a form with a new name 2-27 Saving a new form 2-27 Modifying a form 2-28

Editing elements 2-28 Shifting elements 2-28 Grouping elements 2-28

Defining a group 2-29

Saving a form group 2-30 Undo/redo feature 2-31

Deleting a form 2-31 Renaming or moving a form 2-31 Proof printing a form 2-32 Editing multiple forms 2-35 Fast keys 2-36

3. Menu bars 3-1

ElixirForm menu bar 3-1

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Work area menu bar 3-5

File menu 3-1

New Form <F9> 3-1 Load Form <F8> 3-1 Save Form <Ctrl> + <S> 3-1 Save Form As <F7> 3-2 Rename/Move Form 3-2 Delete Form 3-2 Merge Form Group 3-2 Save Form Group 3-2 Load Form Template 3-2 Remove Form Template 3-2 Open Dat File 3-3 Close Dat File 3-3 Import Text 3-3 Print 3-3 Exit 3-3

System menu 3-3

Usage Switches 3-3 Filing Options 3-3 Reset to Defaults 3-4 Save Configuration 3-4

Window menu 3-4

Tile 3-4 Form <Ctrl> + <F4> 3-4 Toolbox <F10> 3-4

Help menu 3-4

Edit menu 3-5

Undo <Ctrl> + <Z> 3-5 Redo <Shift> + <Ctrl> +

<Z> 3-5 Cut <Ctrl> + <X> 3-5 Copy <Ctrl> + <C> 3-5

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Paste <Ctrl> + <V> 3-5

Select All <Ctrl> + <A> 3-5

Deselect All <Ctrl> + <A> 3-5

Delete <Del> 3-6

Delete All <Ctrl> + <Del> 3-6

Find <Alt> + <F3> 3-6

Find Next <F3> 3-6

Find Previous <Shift> +

<F3> 3-6

Replace 3-6 Tools menu 3-6

Spell Check 3-7 View menu 3-7 Options menu 3-7

Snap to Grid <F5> 3-7

GEM Forms Load Defaults 3-7

Page Properties 3-7

Page Databasing 3-7

Text/Font Options 3-8

Character Mapping 3-8

Spell Check Options 3-11

Template Options 3-11

4. ElixirForm defaults 4-1

User preferences 4-1

Grid <F4 > 4-1

Displaying/hiding the grid 4-1

Selecting grid properties 4-2 Rulers <F3> 4-4

Graphic ruler 4-4

Digital ruler 4-4 Long crosshair <F6 > 4-6 Zoom in/out 4-6

Keyboard zoom in/out

controls 4-7

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Page settings 4-7

Selecting page properties 4-7 Exceeding form page size limits 4-10 Page databasing 4-11

Text and font options 4-13 GEM form defaults 4-16 Configuring the system 4-18

Setting usage defaults 4-18

Filing options 4-19

Resetting to defaults 4-22

Saving a configuration 4-22

5. Lines 5-1

Line display 5-1

Setting the screen display 5-1

Screen refresh 5-1 Drawing lines 5-2 Editing lines 5-4

Changing line length 5-4

Sticky Lines <Ctrl> + <L> 5-5

Changing line attributes 5-6 Copying lines 5-6 Moving lines 5-7 Deleting lines 5-8

6. Shapes 6-1

Drawing shapes 6-1

Drawing paths 6-1

Drawing boxes 6-4

Drawing circles 6-7 Editing shapes 6-10

Changing shape size 6-10

Changing dimension coordinates 6-10

Manually 6-11

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Changing shape attributes 6-11 Copying shapes 6-12 Moving shapes 6-12

Manually 6-12

Changing dimension coordinates 6-13 Deleting shapes <Del> 6-13

7. Text operations 7-1

Creating text 7-1 Entering text from the keyboard 7-2

Moving a block before finish

entering text 7-2 Specifying text attributes 7-3 Font list 7-8

Selecting a font from the

current list 7-8

Loading 7-9

Merging 7-9

Customizing 7-10

Adding fonts 7-10

Removing fonts 7-10 Entering non-standard characters 7-11

Importing text 7-11

Importing complete text blocks 7-12 Importing text as separate blocks 7-13 Importing text into a box 7-14

Data tags 7-15 Editing text 7-15

Changing text attributes 7-15 Changing fonts 7-16 Replacing fonts 7-16 Applying multiple fonts to a text

block 7-17 Joining text 7-17 Splitting text 7-18

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Moving text 7-19

Manually 7-19 Changing dimension

coordinates 7-19 Copying text 7-20 Cutting, copying and pasting text 7-20 Deleting text 7-21 Finding/replacing text 7-21

Finding 7-21

Replace 7-23

Spell checking 7-24

Setting defaults 7-24 Using the Spell Checker 7-26

8. Images 8-1

Loading an image 8-1 Editing images 8-3 Moving an image 8-3

Manually 8-3

Changing dimension

coordinate 8-4

Copying an image 8-4 Deleting an image 8-5

9. Stand-alone utilities 9-1

Using the utilities 9-1 AFPVIEW 9-2 FONTCHG 9-3 FORMPRN 9-4 IC 9-5 SF 9-7

A. Keyboard shortcuts A-1

Glossary GLOSSARY-1

Index INDEX-1

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1. Introduction

ElixirForm for AFP is an interactive forms design tool that allows you to create and edit forms in WYSIWYG (What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get) mode using an IBM PC, AT, PS/2 or compatible computer and optional proof printer.

If you are familiar with previous GEM versions of ElixirForm for AFP, you will find that the Windows-based version includes the same functionality plus additional features and a new interface. You can easily import forms created in earlier versions of ElixirForm for AFP and edit them in the new version.

If you have never used ElixirForm for AFP before, you will find the product highly intuitive and easy to use.

For brevity, "ElixirForm for AFP" is referred to as "ElixirForm" throughout this guide.

ElixirForm overview

A form created with ElixirForm is the static (or boiler plate) component of a form, and contains elements such as lines, boxes, text and images. The static form is then merged with variable data for printing on AFP high-speed laser printers.

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The static data adds meaning to the variable data with which it is merged. For example, the following variable data from a credit application form

X 123-456-789 9876.23 X 985-234-980 11813.34

is more meaningful when merged with static data and viewed together:

Previously, creating and editing static forms for printing on AFP printers was the responsibility of applications personnel working on mainframe computers. Such personnel were required to define form elements using Overlay Generation Language (OGL), a language that describes the location of line, shape, text and image elements, as well as page size and layout.

Limitations to this approach are:

defining and revising an OGL form is complicated and time-consuming

changes to the form are not apparent when adding OGL statements

the completed OGL file must be compiled and proof printed on the high-speed printer.

With ElixirForm, you can see each static form element as you add or revise the element, and then generate proofs using an optional desktop proof printer. Using the Elixir Desktop Converter, you can compile your forms on your PC, thus freeing your AFP printer from these tasks.

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Depending upon the ElixirForm product you have installed, your screens and options may differ from the figures displayed in this guide.

Customer support

Elixir customer support centers provide telephone technical assistance for Elixir users during business hours.

If you have purchased your Elixir product directly from Elixir Technologies then contact one of the support center hotlines.

See the Elixir Getting Started Guide for information about contacting your support center.

Elixir training

INTRODUCTION

Elixir Technologies Corporation offers training for the full range of Windows-based products. For more information, contact:

Elixir Learning (805) 641-5900 ext. 6

Who should use this guide

This guide serves users needing first-time or ongoing reference information about ElixirForm.

Users should already be familiar with Microsoft Windows operations, printer and font management operations and PC peripherals, and have access to reference manuals for related PC software and hardware.

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INTRODUCTION

Conventions

This section describes the following:

display conventions typographical conventions

Display conventions

ElixirForm adheres to Microsoft Windows conventions for using menus, menu commands, dialog boxes, command buttons, icons and the mouse. See your Windows manual for more information.

Many shortcut keys in the new Windows-based product are different from those in previous GEM versions. This is because the standard Windows operating environment assigns certain functions to keys (for example, <F1> is always used for Help). See the "Keyboard shortcuts" appendix for a list of keyboard shortcuts.

Typographical conventions

The following typographical conventions are used throughout this guide:

Keystrokes are shown enclosed in < > (angle brackets). For example:

<Enter>. Key combinations are denoted by a plus sign be-

tween keys. For example: <Shift> + <F1> indicates simultaneously pressing

the <Shift> and <F1> keys. Menu titles are shown in bold. Menu options are

enclosed in [ ] (square brackets). For example: Select [New] from the File menu.

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Commands, options, actions and parameters that require description are shown in bold, followed on the next line by the description.

For example:

Delete

Deletes the selected files. Steps in a procedure are shown in numbered bold

paragraphs. For example:

1. At the prompt, enter the file name and extension.

Comments relating to a step (such as this paragraph) are shown in regular text following the bold paragraph.

Commands you enter at the DOS prompt display in larger text. Within DOS commands, variable names and keys you press are shown in italics. For example:

CD \ELIXIR <Enter>

On-line Help

Elixir software uses the Microsoft Windows Help program to provide on-line Help for all functions.

For more information about Windows Help, select the [How to Use Help] option in the Help menu, or see your Microsoft Windows documentation.

The Help files included with your Elixir software include graphics created using screen drivers with large fonts. If you use a screen driver with small fonts, the Help file graphics may not display clearly. For optimum graphics display, use a screen driver with large fonts.

You can display on-line Help in the following ways:

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INTRODUCTION

Bubble Help

Click on an icon with the right mouse button to view its properties (if applicable) or to display "bubble help." Bubble help is a short description of the icon function that displays in a bubble extending from the icon.

Quick Help

Enable the quick function by selecting the quick help option in the Usage Switches (or Preferences -- for ElixirImage) dialog box. When you move the screen pointer over an icon on the screen, a short description of the icon function displays in the message area of the screen. During certain operations a message about the function you are performing also displays in the message area. To see these operational messages, disable quick help.

Context sensitive Help

To use this function, click on an icon and press <F1>. If available, the appropriate Help topic displays. If no specific topic is available, the Help table of contents displays.

Help menu

Select [Help] from the top pull-down menu and choose one of the displayed topics.

Dialog box Help

Click on the [Help] button in a dialog box to view an associated Help topic. Under Windows 95 and Windows NT, right-click on a dialog box option to display an associated Help topic.

Help pop-ups and jumps

Within Help topic text, words or phrases underlined in green are pop-ups or jumps. When you click on a pop-up topic, a box displays within the current Help topic with additional information. When you click on a jump, a different, associated Help topic displays.

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Help hypergraphics

Hypergraphics are special graphics within Help files that contain "hot spots". Hot spots are either pop-up topics or jumps. Hypergraphics in Elixir Help are most commonly dialog boxes with option hot spots (pop-up definitions), toolboxes with tool hot spots (topic jumps), and menus with option hot spots (topic jumps or pop-up definitions).

Move the cursor over a hypergraphic until a hand displays, then click on this hot spot to display a pop-up topic, or a "jump". To close a pop-up topic, click the mouse button. To return to the original Help topic from a jump, click on <Back> in the Help file menu.

Organization of this guide

This guide contains the following chapter and appendices:

Chapter 1, "Introduction", provides an overview of ElixirForm functions, features, hardware and software requirements, and documentation.

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 2, "ElixirForm basics", provides an overview of ElixirForm and describes basic operations for creating a form.

Chapter 3, "Menu bars", provides information on the ElixirForm and Work area menu bars.

Chapter 4, "ElixirForm defaults", describes how to set the defaults for a form.

Chapters 5 through 8 "Lines", "Shapes", "Text operations" and "Images" are reference sections explaining how to create and edit elements using every icon in the toolbox.

Chapter 9, "Stand-alone utilities", explains the standalone utilities included with ElixirForm.

Appendix A, "Keyboard shortcuts", lists keyboard shortcuts (fast keys).

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INTRODUCTION

"Glossary", contains terms and definitions applicable to ElixirForm and related Elixir products.

Index.

Installation

See the Elixir for AFP Getting Started Guide for installation information.

Starting ElixirForm

To start ElixirForm from the Elixir Desktop, doubleclick on the ElixirForm icon. The ElixirForm Desktop displays.

Exiting ElixirForm

To exit ElixirForm and return to the Desktop either:

Double-click on the Close button at the top left of any Elixir application.

Press <Alt> + <F4>. Press <Alt> + <X>. From the File menu and select [Exit] Click on the [X] at the top right corner of the appli-

cation window.

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2. ElixirForm basics

This chapter describes the ElixirForm Work area and basic operations.

ElixirForm window

To view the ElixirForm main screen, open the Elixir Desktop and double-click on the ElixirForm icon.

The ElixirForm window displays.

Toolbox Toolbar

Work area

Message area

menu bar

Work area

Figure 2-1. ElixirForm window

ElixirForm

menu bar

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

The ElixirForm windows contains the following features:

Toolbox <F10>

The Toolbox displays on the left of the main Work area and contains the Select/Edit, Line, Path, Box, Circle, Text and Image tools.

If you cannot see the Toolbox, pull down the Window menu and select [Toolbox] or press <F10>.

Toolbox Toolbar ElixirForm menu bar Work area menu bar Message area Work area

Tools

Message

area

Tool options

Preview

panel

Figure 2-2. Toolbox

Select a tool to display its options in the Toolbox. A short description of the tool displays in the Message area, and the Preview panel displays your option selections.

Color options may or may not display, depending on the color selected in the Page Properties dialog box.

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Select tool

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Selects form or data elements for editing.

Copy

Copies any form element or design object.

Delete

Deletes the selected element(s). When a data element is deleted, it is only removed from the Work area. The entry in the Document window is preserved.

If you inadvertently delete an element, immediately select [Undo] from the Edit menu to restore the deleted element to your form.

Group filter options

The Group Filter options from left to right are: [Line], [Box], [Text], [Data Tag], and [Image].

Select one or more options to exclude the corresponding element from group options such as moving or deleting. Select the option(s) a second time to turn the filter off. See the "Grouping elements" section for information on grouping elements.

Number of Copies

Specify a value by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a number.

Press and hold <Ctrl> while clicking to increase/decrease the value by 10.

Movement Selection

Select a movement direction for moving or copying elements:

[Horizontal only] - cursor moves horizontally with element(s) attached

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

[Vertical only] - cursor moves vertically with element(s) attached

[Free] - cursor moves in any direction with element(s) attached

Copy - Horizontal Distance

Specify a value by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a number.

Press and hold <Ctrl> while clicking to increase/decrease the value by 1.

Copy - Horizontal Distance - On/Off

Enables the [Copy - Horizontal Distance] option. Select this option a second time to disable this feature.

Sticky Lines - On/Off

Perpendicular lines with ends that connect remain stuck together when you move one of the lines. Lines attached to box sides remain connected when you resize the box.

Select this option a second time to disable this feature. See the “Lines” chapter for more information.

Copy - Vertical Distance

Specify a value by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a number.

Press and hold <Ctrl> while clicking to increase/decrease the value by 1.

Copy - Vertical Distance - On/Off

Enables the [Copy - Vertical Distance] option. Select this option a second time to disable this feature.

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Line tool

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Draws horizontal, vertical, and free lines; and specifies line properties. See the "Lines" chapter for more information on the options described below.

Line - Direction

Select the drawing line’s direction: [Horizontal only], [Vertical only], [Horizontal and Vertical], or [Free].

Custom Line/Border Thickness

Specify a value (in dots) by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a value (maximum 99 dots).

You can also select: standard [Thin] 2 dot, [Medium] 4 dot, or [Thick] 6 dot line widths.

Line - Style

Select the line style: [Solid], [Dashed], or [Dotted].

Line - Color

Select a box border color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on [Close]. The selected color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

Path tool

Draws paths and specifies path properties. See the "Shapes" chapter for more information on the options described below.

Path - Shape

Select a path shape:

[Closed] - path automatically closes when you finish drawing the path

[Open] - path remains open

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Path - Direction

Select a path direction:

[Snapped] - lines drawn snap to horizontal and vertical lines

[Free] - lines drawn run in any direction

Path - Beginning Style

Select line beginning style: [Square], [Round], or [Mitered].

Path - End Style

Select line end style: [Square], [Round], or [Mitered].

Custom Line/Border Thickness

Specify a value (in dots) by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a value (maximum 99 dots).

You can also select: [Thin], [Medium], or [Thick] border widths.

Line/Border Style

Select a border style: [Dotted], [Dashed], or [Solid].

Path - Finish Drawing

When you add a path to the Work area, you are in Draw mode. When you complete a path, select this option, double-click in the Work area or right-click in the Work area to toggle to Done mode. You can then draw another path or switch to another drawing tool.

Path - Color

Select a path border color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected path color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Path - Fill Color

Right-click to select a path fill color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected path fill color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

Object Fill Pattern/Shading

Select a shade pattern from the Pattern dialog box. This pattern applies each time you draw a new closed path, until you change it using the same procedure. Select [Hollow] for no shading.

Path - Connection Radius

Specify the value of the path connection radius (in pels) by clicking on the up or down arrows, or click in the numeric display box and enter a value (maximum 299 pels).

You can also select: [Small] 10 pels, [Medium] 20 pels, [Large] 30 pels, [Square], [Radius Half], or [Radius Maximum].

Box tool

Draws boxes and specifies box properties. See the "Boxes" chapter for more information on the options described below.

Box Predefined Shape

Select the box corner style: [All corners square], [All corners rounded], [Top rounded/bottom square], [Top square/bottom rounded], [Left rounded/bottom square], or [Left square/right rounded].

Box - Positioning - Center/Top Left

Select the top half of this option to center the top left corner of the box on grid coordinates. Select the bottom half of the option to snap the top left corner of the box flush to grid coordinates.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Box - Shape - Oblong/Square

Select the top half of this option to draw boxes as rectangles. Select the bottom half of this option to draw boxes as squares.

Box - Diagonals

Select the diagonal line pattern for inside the box: [None], [Left], [Right], or [Both].

Custom Line/Border Thickness

Specify a value (in dots) by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a value (maximum 99 dots). Specify [0] to apply an invisible border to a shaded box. Unshaded boxes must have a border width of [1] or higher.

You can also select: [Thin], [Medium], or [Thick] box line widths.

Box - Line/Border Style

Select the line style: [Solid], [Dashed], or [Dotted].

Box - Border/Split Thickness and Style

Select width and style options:

[Border Splits] - sets the width and style of the box border

[Horizontal Splits] - sets the width and style of the horizontal box splits

[Vertical Splits] - sets the width and style of the vertical box splits

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Box - Horizontal Splits

Select this option, then click on the up or down arrows or enter a value in the numeric display box to specify the number of equal horizontal portions to divide the box into. The minimum value is 1 (hollow) and the maximum value is 40.

Select this option a second time to disable horizontal box splits.

Box - Vertical Splits

Select this option, then click on the up or down arrows or enter a value in the numeric display box to specify the number of equal vertical portions to divide the box into. The minimum value is 1 (hollow) and the maximum value is 40.

Select this option a second time to disable verticalbox splits.

Box - Color

Select a box border color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected box color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

Box - Fill Color

Right-click to select a box fill color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected box fill color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

Object Fill Pattern/Shading

Select a shade pattern from the Pattern dialog box. All boxes you draw contain this shading until you change it, using the same procedure. Select [Hollow] for no shading.

Box - Corner Radius

Specify a value by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a value (maximum 299 pels).

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Circle tool

You can also select: [Small] 10 pels, [Medium] 20 pels, [Large] 30 pels, or [Maximum]. This option does not apply when all corner styles are 90 degrees.

Draws circles and specifies circle properties. See the "Shapes" chapter for more information on the options described below.

Circle - Radius

Select one or more of the four circle quarters to compose a circle or partial circle. Select a quarter a second time to deselect it.

Circle - Drawing Method

Select the top half of this option to draw a circle from its center outward, where the anchor point is the circle center.

Select the bottom half of this option to draw a circle within an unseen box, where the anchor point is the box corner nearest the starting point. This method allows you be more precisely place the circle in relation to another element.

Circle - Diagonals

Select the diagonal line pattern for inside the circle: [None], [Left], [Right], or [Both].

Only 360-degree circles display diagonals.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Custom Line/Border Thickness

Specify a value (in dots) by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a value (maximum 99 dots). Specify [0] to apply an invisible border to a shaded circle. Unshaded circles must have a border width of [1] or higher.

You can also select: [Thin], [Medium], or [Thick] border widths.

Circle - Border Style

Select the circle line style: [Solid], [Dashed], or [Dotted].

Circle - Start and Finish Angle

Specify a value by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a value (in degrees) for where you want your circle to begin and end.

You can also select: [0], [90], [180], or [270] degrees.

Circle - Color

Select a circle border color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected circle color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

Circle - Fill Color

Right-click to select a circle fill color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected circle fill color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

Object Fill Pattern/Shading

Select a shade pattern from the Pattern dialog box. All circles you draw contain this shading until you change it, using the same procedure. Select [Hollow] for no shading.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Text tool

Circle Axis

Select an axis on which to print to an AFP printer:

[None] - no axis [Horizontal] - horizontal axis [Vertical] - vertical axis [Both] - horizontal and vertical axis

Select text attributes for form elements. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on the options described below.

Text - Direction

Select a text display direction:

[Across] - left to right [Down] - top to bottom [Back] - right to left [Up] - bottom to top

Text - Inter-character/Inter-word Spacing

Select a display spacing option:

[Inter-character] - justifies all text blocks by increasing or decreasing the amount of space between characters. This makes the form easier to read when converted to OGL, but takes longer for the form to print.

[Inter-word] - justifies all text blocks by increasing or decreasing the amount of space between words.

These options are global features. Selected options apply to all text blocks on the form.

The [Inter-character] or [Inter-word] options apply to a form only when you convert the .ELX file, when this is a valid option for your conversion. See your Elixir Desktop and Converters for AFP User Guide for more information.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Text - Word Wrapping

Wraps text between the boundaries set in the [Column Width] option. You can also select the [Box Text] option and draw a visual box on your form to contain the text. Select this option when text is justified.

Text - Remove Redundant Spaces

Removes redundant spaces, relative shifts and carriage returns from text blocks that have the [Text Word Wrapping] option selected.

Text - Split String

Splits a single block of text into two separate text blocks.

Text - Justification

Specify the justification for each text block: [Left Justification], [Center Justification], [Right Justification], or [Full Justification].

The [Wrap Text] and [Box Text] or [Column Width] options must be selected for text justification.

Text - Positioning

When the [Wrap Text] and [Box Text] options are selected, specify the vertical positioning of a text block: [Top], [Center], or [Bottom].

Use this option with the [Text Justification] and [Box Text] options to place text in nine positions within the box.

Text - Lines per Inch

Specify a vertical lines per inch (LPI) value by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display box and enter a number. Press and hold <Ctrl> while clicking to increase/decrease the value by 1.0. This value you affects the current block of text and any subsequent blocks of text entered using the same font.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

To return the lines per inch to the default for the current font, use the down arrow to decrease the LPI value to [0] or press <Del>.

Text - Lines per Inch - ON/OFF

Enables the [Text - Lines per Inch] option. Select this option a second time to disable this feature.

Text - Text Color

Select a text color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

DocuTag/DataMerge - Data Tags - ON/OFF

Displays the Data Tagging dialog box which allows you to add data tags to forms for use with Elixir's DocuTag or DataMerge products. Select this option a second time to disable this feature.

See your Elixir DocuTag User Guide or Elixir Da- taMerge User Guide for more information on creating data tags and tag lists.

Text - Column Width

Specify the width for a text block by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display boxes and enter a number. Press and hold <Ctrl> while clicking to increase/decrease the value by 1.0. Values that exceed the form limits are not accepted.

You must select the [Wrap] text option when using these options. When these options are set to [0.00], text entered is bound only by the width and height of the form.

Select the [Box Text] option along with these options to display a visual guide box with the width and height dimensions you specify.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Text - Draw Column Box Boundaries

Select this option after selecting the [Box Text] option to define column boundaries for text by drawing a visual box in the Work area. Place the cursor in the Work area and press and hold down the mouse button. Drag the box that displays and release the mouse button at the bottom right of the box. This box does not print.

Select the [Wrap Text] option to wrap text at the boundary of the text box defined by this option. Select the [Text Positioning] option to position text within the text box.

Text - Column Height

Specify the height for a text block by clicking on the up or down arrows or click in the numeric display boxes and enter a number. Press and hold <Ctrl> while clicking to increase/decrease the value by 1.0. Values that exceed the form limits are not accepted.

You must select the [Wrap Text] option when using these options. When these options are set to [0.00], text entered is bound only by the width and height of the form.

Text - Set Column Width/Height to Define Box ON/OFF

Select this option when using the [Draw Text Box] or [Column Width] and [Column Height] options to enter text in predefined areas or "boxes." Select this option a second time to enter free text which is bound only by the width and height of the form.

Box boundaries are defined by entering values in the [Column Width] and [Column Height] options or by drawing a box manually using the [Draw Text Box] option.

Font Type

Click on this button until the desired font type displays:

[f] - Elixir-version fonts [T] - True Type fonts

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

[a] - ATM fonts

Text - Add/Remove Font from List

Select a font action. The dialog box that displays depends on your selection in the [Font Type] option.

[+] - displays the Add Fonts, Select True Type fonts, or Select ATM fonts dialog box; select a font(s) to add to the current Font List, then click on the [ADD] button

[-] - displays the Replace Font, Select True Type Fonts, or Select ATM Fonts dialog box; select a font(s) to remove from the current Font List, then click on the [DEL] button. If the font is in use on the form, select a replacement font from the Replace Font dialog box.

Text - Load Font List/Merge Font List/Save Font List

Select a Font List action:

[down arrow] - displays the Load Font List dialog box

[double arrows] - displays the Merge Font List dialog box; add fonts to the current Font List by loading another Font List

[up arrow] - displays the Save Font List dialog box; enter a new file name for the current font list, or rename an existing font list

Text - Soft Keyboard

Enters characters that are not available on a standard keyboard. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on using the soft keyboard.

Font Preview Panel

Displays the fonts available in the current Font List. Click on the up or down arrow or use the scroll bar to scroll through the list to change the current font.

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Image tool

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Fonts in use on a form are denoted by a diamond character to the left of the font name.

Adds Elixir-format screen (.LP3) or printer (.LW8) images, bitmaps (.BMP), or logos to a form. See the "Images" chapter for more information on the options described below.

Image - Name

Displays the name of the selected image.

Image - Size Horizontal/Vertical

Displays the horizontal and vertical sizes of the image in the units selected in the Ruler in the Toolbar. See the "Toolbar" section for more information.

Image - Color

Select an image border color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected image color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

Image - Fill Color

Right-click to select an image fill color from the palette in the Color dialog box, then click on the [Close] button. The selected image fill color displays in the bottom half of the icon.

Image - Load

Select an image to add to your form from the Load Image dialog box.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Toolbar

The Toolbar displays across the top of the Work area and contains the following options:

Current object - Dimensions

Current object - Shape

Digital Ruler

Current object -

Start Coordinates

Figure 2-3. Toolbar

Digital ruler

Displays the horizontal and vertical position of the screen pointer relative to the top left corner of the screen (0,0).

Current object - Shape

Displays an icon representing the element type the cursor is currently closest to.

Current object - Start Coordinates

Long Crosshair

Grid Display

Snap to Grid

Graphic Ruler

Zoom

in/out

Spell Check

Show/hide

Toolbox

Undo/Redo

Displays the x,y coordinates of the currently selected element.

Current object - Dimensions

Displays the width and height of the currently selected element.

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Graphic ruler <F3>

The graphic ruler displays along the top and left edges of the Work area in the units selected in the [Ruler measure] option.

To display the graphic ruler either:

A check mark appears in the menu next to the selected option.

Select this option a second time to remove the graphic ruler.

Right-click on the Ruler in the Toolbar to display the Ruler Options dialog box.

Grid Display <F4>

The grid helps you place and align form and data elements accurately. It overlays the Work area to allow exact placement of elements, but does not print.

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

click on the Toolbar Graphic Ruler select [Ruler] from the View menu

To display the grid in your Work area either:

click on the Toolbar Grid Display icon press <F4> select [Grid] from the View menu

A check mark appears in the View menu next to the selected option.

Select this option a second time to remove the grid. Right-click on the Toolbar Grid Display icon to display

the Grid Setting dialog box.

Snap to Grid <F5>

Places elements accurately on the grid. To use the snap to grid option either:

click on the Toolbar Snap to Grid icon

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Select this option a second time to disable this feature

- elements become free floating and are moveable anywhere on the screen.

Right-click on the Toolbar Grid icon to display the Grid Setting dialog box.

Long Crosshair <F6>

Displays horizontally and vertically from the cursor on the form, and helps you place elements on the form more precisely.

To display the long crosshair:

A check mark appears next to the option in the menu when it is selected. Select this option a second time to remove the long crosshair.

press <F5> select [Snap to Grid] from the Options menu

click on the Toolbar Long Crosshair icon press <F6> select [Long Crosshair] from the

View

Zoom in/out

To zoom in on (magnify) an area of the Work area, click on the [+] button on the right side of the Zoom icon in the Toolbar. The highest magnification is [8x].

To zoom out on (reduce the magnification of) an area of the Work area, click on the [-] button on the left side of the Zoom icon in the Toolbar. The lowest reduction is [-8x].

You can also use the <+> and <-> keys on the numeric keyboard to zoom in and out.

Undo/Redo

To cancel your most recent operation:

click on the Toolbar Undo icon press <Ctrl> + <Z> select [Undo] from the Edit menu

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To cancel your most recent Undo operation:

Spell Check

Checks the spelling of the active form. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information.

Show/hide Toolbox

Hides the Toolbox. To redisplay the Toolbox:

User preferences are described in the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter.

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

click on the Toolbar Redo icon press <Shift> + <Ctrl> + <Z> select [Redo] from the Edit menu

click on this icon a second time press <F10> select [Toolbox] from the Window menu

Menu bars

ElixirForm provides two menu bars for accessing options:

ElixirForm menu bar Work area menu bar

Select a menu to display its options, then select an option from the pull-down menu.

See the "Menu bars" chapter for more details and information.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Creating a form

Following are suggestions you should consider when creating a form.

Designing a new form

Sketching the form on paper before drawing it on the screen makes element sizing and placement easier.

Reproducing an existing form

If you are creating a form from an existing form, have the original form in front of you as you are recreating it on the screen. Use a ruler to measure the margins, lines and other form elements, then use the on-screen rulers for precise placement of each element.

You can also use Elixir's ElixirScan product to scan an existing form for conversion to Elixir format, then edit the form using ElixirForm.

Designing a form to fit in a window envelope

If you are designing a form to fit a window envelope, first sketch it, fold it and measure it against the envelope window to ensure proper display.

Designing a form for merged data

If your form will subsequently be merged with variable data, print the formatted data to see how it prints on the page; it is easier to design a form around data than to redesign the form.

Loading a form

ElixirForm allows you load a new or previously saved form, or to merge form groups to create a new form. Only one form at a time can be loaded into ElixirForm.

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Loading a new form <F9 >

To load a new form:

1. Select [New Form] from the File menu.

The Page Properties dialog box displays. See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for informa-

tion on the Page Properties dialog box.

2. Select page defaults, then click on [OK].

The Page Databasing dialog box displays. For information on the Page Databasing dialog

box, see the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter.

3. Enter optional information for the new form, then click on [OK].

A new, untitled form displays in the work area.

Loading a saved form <F8 >

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

If you are loading a form that was created in a GEM version of ElixirForm, see "Loading GEM forms" in this section before loading the form.

To load a previously saved form:

1. Select [Load Form] from the File menu.

The Load Form dialog box displays.

2. Select the form to load, then click on [OK].

The form displays in the Work area.

If a referenced image is missing, a replacement image displays. To delete the image from the form, select the replacement image then press <Del>.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Loading GEM forms

For forms created with ElixirForm prior to version 3.0, you can either maintain the original boxed text formatting or use the new Windows box text formatting. You can also either maintain the original color mode or select a new color mode.

For the currently loaded GEM form only, select text formatting and color mode options using the Text and Fonts options dialog box and the Page Properties dialog box.

For all subsequently loaded GEM forms, select text formatting and color mode options using the GEM Forms Load Defaults dialog box.

See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for information about GEM Forms Load Defaults, Text and Font Options and Page Properties dialog boxes.

Merging a form group

ElixirForm allows you to merge a form into the current work area without replacing work area contents. See the "Grouping elements" section in this chapter for more information about saving a form group.

ElixirForm only merges objects that fit within form boundaries. Before using the [Merge Form Group] option, ensure that there is sufficient work area space available to prevent the elements from overlapping or falling outside form boundaries.

To merge a form group:

1. Select [Merge Form Group] from the File menu.

The Load Form Group dialog box displays.

2. Select the form to merge, then click on [OK].

Although ElixirForm allows you to merge the currently loaded form with the same form, this is not recommended as form elements may overlap.

You cannot undo a [Merge Form Group] operation.

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Loading a form template

A form template is an .ELX form file that is loaded as an overlay or visual guide for designing a new form. The template does not become a part of the new form; only the new form elements are saved.

You can load more than one form file template into the Work area, although retrieving multiple form templates requires appreciably more memory.

Proof-printing a form comprising one or more templates also prints the templates. To proof- print a form without the templates, save and reload the form without the templates, then proof-print the reloaded form.

To load a form template:

1. Select [Load Form Template] from the File menu.

The Load Form Template dialog box displays.

2. Select the template to use, then click on [OK].

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Selecting template defaults

To select form template defaults:

1. Select [Template Options] from the Options menu.

The Template Options dialog box displays.

2. Select display defaults, then click on [OK].

The Template Options dialog box contains the following options:

Color

Select a display color for the template from the dropdown list.

Object Filters

Select the form object(s) to display: [Show Lines], [Show Boxes], [Show texts], [Show Images], [Show Circles], or [Show Paths].

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Disable template object selection

Prevents form template objects from being selected or modified.

Lock template

Keeps the current template loaded at all times.

Adding form elements

You create forms in ElixirForm by adding elements such as lines, paths, boxes, circles, text and images. You can apply different attributes to any form element by selecting options from the Toolbox. Elements can be placed anywhere on the form.

If you need to modify an element that is already on the form, right-click on the element and apply new properties using options in the Toolbox.

For detailed information about adding or modifying a form element, see the "Lines", "Shapes", "Text operations" or "Images" chapters.

Using color

Form color usage depends upon the color mode of the printer you use for final printing. You must select ElixirForm's color mode before creating a form. This ensures that only the colors available on your printer are used.

To select form color mode:

1. Select [Page Properties] from the Options menu.

The Page Properties dialog box displays. See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for more information.

2. Select the color mode, then click on [OK].

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Saving a form with a new name

To save an existing form either with a different name or to another directory:

1. Select [Save Form As] from the File menu.

The Save Form As dialog box displays.

2. Enter information, then click on [OK].

Saving a new form

To save a new form:

1. Select [Save Form] from the File menu.

The Save Form dialog box (similar to previous figure) displays.

2. Enter a file name, then click on [OK].

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

If you plan to convert the form to a different format, save the form with a maximum six-letter file name; longer file names truncate upon conversion and can overwrite existing files.

Modifying a form

You can update previously-created forms or make a new one by modifying the form and saving it with a new name.

Editing elements

ElixirForm allows you to edit individual elements by moving, copying or deleting form elements, and by changing element properties.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Editing procedures are similar for lines, paths, boxes, circles, images and text, as described in later chapters.

Shifting elements

You can shift all or selected elements on a form. It is easier to see the elements shifting if you first select the grid option.

To shift form elements, hold down the <Ctrl> key and use the arrow keys to shift elements up, down, left or right. You can also shift elements using the direction keys on the numeric keypad by first pressing <Num Lock>.

To move, copy or delete an element, right-click on the element to select it, then perform the desired operation.

To change the properties of an element, double right-click on the element and make the changes desired.

Grouping elements

ElixirForm groups form elements for editing purposes. Once a group is defined, you can edit it like a single form element.

ElixirForm undoes a group one element at a time. For example, if you delete a group and then click on the Undo icon, the elements comprising the group reappear one at a time.

Defining a group

To define a group:

1. Select the Select/Edit tool in the Toolbox.

2. Move the screen pointer near the elements you want to group.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

3. Click and drag the dotted line until it encloses the desired elements, then release the mouse button.

Boxes appear around or inside each grouped element. Grouped text appears in square brackets.

Figure 2-4. Selected group elements

Move, copy or delete the group as a single element.

To change the properties of one or more grouped elements, right-click on the element(s) and select desired properties from the Tool box.

You can also exclude any or all occurrences of a grouped element:

To exclude all occurrences of an element, select a group filter option before grouping.

To exclude any one element from the group, shift-click on the element after grouping.

To include the element again, shift-click on the element a second time.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Saving a form group

ElixirForm allows you to select a group in an existing form and save it as a separate form file. You can then edit the file, or use it as a template for other forms.

This feature is helpful for reusing standard elements such as headers and footers in other forms. You can also merge selected elements from different forms to create another form. See the "Merging a form group" section in this chapter.

To save a form group:

1. Define the group as described in the above section.

2. Select [Save Form Group] from the File menu.

3. Enter a filename in the dialog box, then click on [OK].

The form group saves to the forms directory specified.

Undo/redo feature

ElixirForm allows you to undo or redo an operation. To cancel your most recent operation:

click on the Toolbar Undo icon press <Ctrl> + <Z> select [Undo] from the Edit menu

To cancel your most recent Undo operation:

click on the Toolbar Redo icon press <Shift> + <Ctrl> + <Z> select [Redo] from the Edit menu

When you cancel a group operation, ElixirForm undoes the operation one element at a time.

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Deleting a form

To delete a form:

1. Select [Delete Form] from the File menu.

The Delete Form dialog box displays.

2. Select the name of the form to delete, then click on [OK]

The form deletes.

Renaming or moving a form

To rename or move a form:

1. Select [Rename/Move form] from the File menu.

The Rename/Move Form dialog box displays.

2. Select the form you want to rename/move, then click on [OK]

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

A supplemental dialog box displays the directory and name of the form.

Figure 2-5. Rename/Move Form dialog box

3. Enter a new directory name or a new file name, then click on [OK].

The form must have an .ELX extension to load into ElixirForm.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Proof printing a form

To proof print a form:

1. Pull down the File menu and select [Print].

The Print dialog box displays.

Figure 2-6. Print dialog box

2. Select/enter printer information, then click on [OK].

3. If printing to a file, enter a file name, then click on [OK].

ElixirForm creates a print file with a .PRN extension in the drive:\ELIXIR\PRINTS\HPPRINT subdirectory.

To print a form that has been written to disk, exit ElixirForm and display the DOS prompt. Specify the directory of the print file, and use the DOS COPY command to copy the .PRN file to your active parallel port (for example, LPT1).

COPY filename.PRN LPT1 <Enter>

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

where filename is the stem name of the disk file. Use the COPY/B command when printing HP

PCL files from disk.

The Print dialog box contains the following options:

Printer

Select a PCL 4 or compatible printer based on the following considerations.

Elixir HP Driver

Provides optimal Elixir form proof-printing, including increased printing speed and the ability to print shaded boxes using HP printer shading calls, store a form as a macro and call printerresident fonts.

PCL 4

PCL 4 printers print a maximum page size of 8 x

10.33 inches. If your form boundaries fill an 8.5 x 11 inches page, the outer margins of your form will not print on a PCL 4 printer.

For accurate positioning, shift the print image on the page using the [Page Shift] option.

PDF format

If you installed Adobe's PDFWriter printer driver on your PC, you can convert your form to PDF format by selecting [PDF ON FILE:] from this window. You are then prompted for a directory and file name.

Set Elixir HP Driver as default printer

Sets the Elixir HP Driver as the default printer.

Orientation

Select form print orientation: [Landscape] or [Portrait].

Page shift

Enter the number of dots to shift your printer output horizontally or vertically:

[Xshift] - image moves horizontally [Yshift] - image moves vertically

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Use a negative shift value to shift the print output to the left, or up; and a positive value to shift your print output right, or down.

Copies

The number of print copies.

Print to file

Prints your file to disk for proof-printing. To print a form to a disk file for proof-printing, all proof printer versions of fonts used in the form must reside on the proof printer. Click on [OK], then enter the path and file name in the Print to File dialog box.

Autogen Output Name

ElixirForm automatically names your file.

Print Fonts as Graphic

Rasterizes fonts as graphics. Printing fonts as graphics requires less printer memory, speeding up printing time.

Load Fonts

Select one of the following font load options:

[Always] - downloads fonts every time form printed

[Once] - downloads fonts as soft fonts identified by index number; fonts then managed by and accessed through the Windows Control Panel

[Never] - calls the index number of soft fonts residing on printer; no new font are downloaded

If you select [Once] or [Never], make sure to use the same font list in your form as on the printer; if not, the index number may represent a different font.

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Editing multiple forms

ElixirForm allows you to group multiple form files together for editing with the document editing feature. An Elixir document is a group of Elixir forms (.ELX) referenced in a text file with a .DAT extension and resides in the Elixir Documents folder.

Elixir document files are created/edited with any standard text editor or with the Elixir Desktop. See your Elixir Desktop for AFP User Guide for more information.

To load a .DAT file:

1. Select [Open DAT File] from the File menu.

The Open Dat File dialog box displays.

2. Select the document to open, then click on [OK].

To select .DAT file form(s) to edit:

1. Select [Load Form] from the File menu.

ELIXIRFORM BASICS

The Load Forms from Dat File dialog box displays.

2. Select the form(s) to edit, then click on [OK].

Select [Merge Form Group] from the File menu to merge pages/forms on top of the currently loaded form. Select the form(s) to merge, then click on [OK].

Select [Close DAT File] from the File menu to return to single page/form loading mode. Select [Filing Options] from the System menus to set the default directory for .DAT files.

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ELIXIRFORM BASICS

Fast keys

Fast keys are available for many ElixirForm operations. ElixirForm fast keys display next to options in pull-down menus. See the "Keyboard shortcuts" appendix for a complete listing.

Exiting ElixirForm

To exit ElixirForm and return to the Desktop either:

press <Alt> + <F4> select [Exit] from the File menu double-click on the [Close] button (the top left corner of the screen)

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3. Menu bars

This chapter provides information on the ElixirForm and Work area menu bars.

ElixirForm menu bar

The ElixirForm menu bar contains the File, System, Window, and Help menus. Select a menu to display

its options, then select an option from the pull-down menu.

File menu

The File menu contains the following options:

New Form <F9>

Select form defaults in the Page Properties dialog box. See the "ElixirForm Defaults" chapter for more information on the Page Properties dialog box.

Load Form <F8>

Select an existing form to open in the Load Form dialog box.

Save Form <Ctrl> + <S>

Saves your open form under the original name specified in the Page Properties dialog box. See the "ElixirForm Defaults" chapter for more information on the Page Properties dialog box.

For a form being saved for the first time, enter a name in the Save Form As dialog box.

ELIXIRFORM FOR AFP USER GUIDE 3-1

MENU BARS

Save Form As <F7>

Enter a new file name to save the open form under in the Save Form As dialog box.

Rename/Move Form

Rename and/or change the path of an existing form in the Rename/Move Form dialog box.

Delete Form

Select a form to delete in the Delete Form dialog box.

Merge Form Group

Select a group to add to the current form in the Load Form Group dialog box. See the "ElixirForm basics" chapter for more information on form groups.

Save Form Group

Select a group on an existing form to save as a form file in the Save Form Group dialog box.

Load Form Template

Select a form template to load onto the current form in the Load Form Template dialog box. The template is only a visual guide for designing new form elements around. It does not become part of the form when the form is saved.

Proof printing a form that includes one or more templates also prints the templates. If you want to proof print a form without the templates, save and reload the form without the templates, then proof print the reloaded form. See the "ElixirForm basics" chapter for more information on loading form templates.

Remove Form Template

Removes all templates from the current form.

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MENU BARS

Open Dat File

Select the .DAT file to open in the Open Dat File dialog box. A .DAT file is a group of Elixir forms (.ELX) referenced in a text file with a .DAT extension.

See the "ElixirForm basics" chapter for more information on editing multiple forms.

Close Dat File

Closes the open .DAT file.

Import Text

Select text to import into the current form in the Import Text dialog box. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on importing text.

Select form printing defaults in the Print dialog box. See the "ElixirForm basics" chapter for more information on printing.

Exit

Exits the current ElixirForm session.

System menu

The System menu contains the following options:

Usage Switches

Select display defaults in the Usage Switches dialog box. See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for more information on the Usage Switches dialog box.

Filing Options

Select filing defaults in the Filing Options dialog box. See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for more information on the Usage Switches dialog box.

ELIXIRFORM FOR AFP USER GUIDE 3-3

MENU BARS

Window menu

Reset to Defaults

Resets all Toolbox options to their default values.

Save Configuration

Saves the current ElixirForm session configuration in the drive:\ELIXIR\DESKTOP\SYSTEM\JOBDES.INI and drive:\ELIXIR\DESKTOP\SYSTEM\FBW.INI files.

The Window menu contains the following options. A check mark appears in the menu next to the selected option.

Tile

Maximizes all open windows, with the Toolbox displaying to the left of the Work area.

Form <Ctrl> + <F4>

Displays the Toolbar, Work area, and Work area menu bar. Select this option a second time to hide these features.

Toolbox <F10>

Displays the Toolbox. Select this option a second time to hide the Toolbox. See the 'ElixirForm basics" chapter for more information on the Toolbox.

Help menu

Displays on-line Help for ElixirForm’s windows, dialog boxes and operations. Help is also available by clicking on a dialog box’s [Help] button. See the "Introduction" chapter for more information on on-line help.

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Work area menu bar

The Work area menu bar contains the Edit, Tools, View, and Options menus. Select a menu to display

its options, then select an option from the pull-down menu.

Edit menu

The Edit menu contains the following options.

Undo <Ctrl> + <Z>

Cancels the most recent action performed.

Redo <Shift> + <Ctrl> + <Z>

Cancels the most recent Undo operation.

Cut <Ctrl> + <X>

MENU BARS

Moves the selected text to the Windows Clipboard.

Copy <Ctrl> + <C>

Copies the selected text to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste <Ctrl> + <V>

Inserts cut or copied text from the Windows Clipboard.

Select All <Ctrl> + <A>

Selects all elements on the current form. This allows you to delete, copy, or move the elements.

Deselect All <Ctrl> + <A>

Deselects all previously-selected elements.

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MENU BARS

Delete <Del>

Deletes the selected element(s) from a form.

Delete All <Ctrl> + <Del>

Deletes all selected elements from a form.

Find <Alt> + <F3>

Enter the text string to search the open form for in the Find text dialog box. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on the Find text dialog box.

Find Next <F3>

Finds the next occurrence of the text string entered in the Find text dialog box. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on the Find text dialog box.

Find Previous <Shift> + <F3>

Finds the previous occurrence of the text string entered in the Find text dialog box. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on the Find text dialog box.

Replace

Enter the text to search for and the text which replaces it in the Replace Text dialog box. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on the Replace text dialog box.

Tools menu

The options in this menu provide an alternate way to activate the Toolbox or Toolbar for the tool selected: Select, Line, Path, Box, Circle, Text, and Image. The currently selected Toolbox or Toolbar displays with a check.

Spell Check

Checks the spelling in the active form.

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View menu

Options menu

MENU BARS

The options in this menu provide an alternate way to activate the Toolbar options: Ruler, Grid, and Long Crosshair.

The Options menu contains the following options:

Snap to Grid <F5>

Forces placement of lines, paths and boxes to the grid.

GEM Forms Load Defaults

For forms created using Elixir’s ElixirForm product prior to version 3.0, select GEM form display defaults in the GEM Forms Load Defaults dialog box. See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for more information on the GEM Forms Load Defaults dialog box.

Page Properties

Select page defaults in the Page Properties dialog box. See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for information on the Page Properties dialog box.

Page Databasing

Select page databasing defaults in the Page Databasing dialog box.

Page databasing places form documentation information on a form and stores with the form until it is changed or deleted. It does not print.

See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for more information on the Page Databasing dialog box.

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MENU BARS

Text/Font Options

Select text and font defaults in the Text and Font Options dialog box. See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for more information on the Text and Font Options dialog box.

Character Mapping

Select keyboard-entered, imported text, or spell checker character mapping options in the Character Mapping Options dialog box.

The Character Mapping dialog box contains the following options:

Keyboard Mapping

Select an option for mapping characters entered via the keyboard:

[None] - use Windows ANSI mapping; select this option if you work with ATM or True Type fonts

[OEM] - remaps ANSI keystrokes to DOS mappings

[OEM/ISO] - remaps ANSI character strokes to DOS ISO mappings

[KMP] - translates keystrokes using customized tables

When you select [KMP], the [Windows] and [Elixir] options display:

Windows

Select the character map for the current keyboard layout from the drop-down list. Most users should select T100ANSI. If you are using an Eastern European version of Windows, you should select T10EEURO.

Elixir

Select the setting that matches your DOS code page from the drop-down list. This is the character map used by Elixir fonts. To check your DOS code page, go to the DOS prompt and type:

CHCP <Enter>

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MENU BARS

The active code page displays.

Text Import Mapping

Select a translation option for characters imported from an external text file. All mappings (except when [KMP] is selected) translate to the standard Windows character set.

[NONE] - when importing or pasting a Windows text file

[OEM] - when importing or pasting a DOS text file [OEM/ISO] - when importing a DOS text file from

a non-US DOS environment [ISO] - when importing or pasting a DOS text file

that has mapped European characters [KMP] - uses custom translation tables:

When you select [KMP], the [Text File] and [Elixir] options display:

Text File

Select the source text file’s character map from the drop-down list.

Elixir

Select translation character map for the target text from the drop-down list. To check your DOS code page, go to the DOS prompt and type:

CHCP <Enter>

The active code page displays.

Text Paste Mapping

Select a translation option for characters imported from an external text file. All mappings (except when [KMP] is selected) translate to the standard Windows character set.

[NONE] - when importing or pasting a Windows text file

[OEM] - when importing or pasting a DOS text file

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MENU BARS

[OEM/ISO] - when importing a DOS text file from a non-US DOS environment

[ISO] - when importing or pasting a DOS text file that has mapped European characters

[KMP] - uses custom translation tables:

When you select [KMP], the [Text] and [Elixir] options display:

Text

Select the source text file’s character map from the drop-down list.

Elixir

Select translation character map for the target text from the drop-down list. To check your DOS code page, go to the DOS prompt and type:

CHCP <Enter>

The active code page displays.

Spell Checker Mapping

Select a spell checker character mapping option:

[None] - use Windows ANSI mapping; select this option if you work with ATM or True Type fonts

[OEM] - remaps ANSI characters to DOS mappings

[OEM/ISO] - remaps ANSI characters to DOS ISO mappings

[KMP] - translates keystrokes using customized tables

When you select [KMP], the [Windows] and [Elixir] options display:

Windows

Select the Windows character map from the dropdown list. Most users should select T100ANSI. If you are using an Eastern European version of Windows, you should select T10EEURO.

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MENU BARS

Elixir

Select the setting that matches the mapping of the Elixir fonts used in the form currently being spell checked.

Spell Check Options

Select spell checking defaults in the Spell Check Options dialog box. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on the Spell Checker.

Template Options

Select form template defaults in the Template Options dialog box. See the "ElixirForm basics" chapter for more information on the Template Options dialog box.

ELIXIRFORM FOR AFP USER GUIDE 3-11

4. ElixirForm defaults

This chapter contains procedures for setting ElixirForm defaults. Although you can change settings for each form, you will probably find that you can keep the same defaults for most of your forms.

User preferences

This section describes the Toolbar grid, rulers and long crosshair options. These options are used to obtain precise form element measurement and placement within the Work area.

Grid <F4 >

The grid helps you place and align form and data elements accurately. It overlays the Work area to allow exact placement of elements, but does not print.

Displaying/hiding the grid

To display the grid in your Work area either:

click on the Toolbar Grid Display icon press <F4> select [Grid] from the

A check mark appears in the selected option.

Select this option a second time to remove the grid. Right-click on the Toolbar Grid Display icon to display

the Grid Setting dialog box.

ELIXIRFORM FOR AFP USER GUIDE 4-1

View

menu next to the

View

ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Selecting grid properties

To select grid properties:

1. Right-click on the Grid icon in the Toolbar.

The Grid Setting dialog box displays.

Figure 4-1. Grid Setting dialog box

2. Select/enter grid options, then click on [OK].

The Grid Setting dialog box contains the following options. Fields in this dialog box may or may not display, depending on the options selected.

Grid units

Enter the number of grid units displayed per unit of measure. Default is 10 x 6 grid units per inch.

Grid step

Enter a grid step value to define the distance between grid points.

Grid units and Grid step units of measure are defined by your selection in the [Ruler measure] option. The size of the grid units or grid step dimensions entered above are maintained, even though the value may change based upon the current unit of measure.

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

You can enter grid dimensions using either the [Grid units] or [Grid step] options, but not both.

Ruler measure

Select the unit of measure for display: [Inches], [CM], [MM], [Dots], [Points], or [Pels]. Your selection also changes the [Ruler measure] option in the Ruler Options and Page Properties dialog boxes.

Graphic Ruler in Grid Units

The graphic ruler reflects the values specified in the [Grid units] option.

For example, if the [Grid units] option is set to 8.00 per 1 inch for the horizontal setting and 6.00 per 1 inch for the vertical setting, the horizontal graphic ruler displays 8 divisions (grid units) per inch and the vertical graphic ruler displays 6 divisions (grid units) per inch.

Digital Ruler in Grid Units

The digital ruler reflects the values specified in the [Grid units] option.

See the [Graphic Ruler in Grid Units] option for an example.

Grid Snap to

Select a snap to option:

[Full Grid] - form elements snap to grid points [Half Grid] - form elements snap to grid points

and to points halfway between grid points

In both instances, all elements resize to fit the grid.

Grid Color

Select the grid color: [Black], [Dark Shade], or [Green].

Snap mouse speed

Select the mouse’s snap speed: [Slow], [Moderate], or [Fast].

Show Grid

Displays the grid in the Work area. Select this option a second time to remove the grid.

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Snap to Grid

Form elements snap to full grid or half grid points. You can also select the Snap to Grid feature by click-

ing on the Snap to Grid icon in the Toolbar or by pulling down the Options menu and selecting [Snap to Grid]. See the "Snapping elements to the Grid" section in this chapter for more information.

Rulers <F3>

The ElixirForm toolbar contains two rulers:

Graphic ruler

To display the graphic ruler either:

Graphic ruler Digital ruler

click on the Ruler icon in the Toolbar select [Ruler] from the View menu

A check mark appears next to the option in the

View menu when selected.

Digital ruler

The digital ruler displays the horizontal and vertical position of the screen pointer.

When [Snap to Grid] is selected, the digital ruler shows only the coordinates of the grid points nearest to the screen pointer.

To display the position of an element relative to the form, select the Select/Edit tool and move the cursor to any area on the element. A second digital ruler displays in the Toolbar, displaying the horizontal and vertical start coordinates of the element. A third digital ruler shows element width and depth.

Rulers not part of the saved or printed form.

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

To select graphic ruler options:

1. Right-click on the Ruler icon.

The Ruler Options dialog box displays.

Figure 4-2. Ruler Options dialog box

2. Select display options, then click on [OK].

The Ruler Options dialog box contains the following options:

Ruler measure

Select the display unit of measure: [Inches], [CM], [MM], [Dots], [Points] or [Pels]. Your selection also changes the [Ruler measure] option in the Grid Setting and Page Properties dialog boxes.

Ruler color

Select the ruler color: [Light Gray] (may be [White] on some monitors), [Dark Gray] or [Green].

Graphic ruler <F3 >

Displays the graphic ruler along the top and left edges of the Work area.

Digital ruler

Displays the position of the screen pointer relative to the top left corner of the Work area (0,0).

in Grid Units

Displays the corresponding ruler in the units of measure entered in the [Grid Units] option in the Grid Setting dialog box.

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Long crosshair <F6 >

The long crosshair helps you to more precisely place form elements about the work area.

To use the long crosshair:

1. Click on the Long Crosshair icon in the

2. Place cursor onto the desired location in

Zoom in/out

The zoom in feature allows you to move about the form in magnified view:

Toolbar.

Work area.

The long cross hair displays vertically and horizontally from the cursor.

Figure 4-3. Magnified view

To zoom in on (magnify) an area of the Work area, click on the [+] button on the right side of the Zoom icon in the Toolbar. The highest magnification is [8x].

To zoom out on (reduce the magnification of) an area of the Work area, click on the [-] button on the left side

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of the Zoom icon in the Toolbar. The lowest reduction is [-8x].

You can also use the <+> and <-> keys on the numeric keyboard to zoom in and out.

Keyboard zoom in/out controls

ElixirForm support the following keys strokes for zooming in/out:

Page settings

ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

<+> (numeric keypad) to zoom in <-> (numeric keypad) to zoom out arrow keys to pan form about the screen <Home> to pan to the top left of the form <End> to pan to the bottom left of the form <Ctrl> + <PgDn> to pan to bottom right of form <Ctrl> + <PgUp> to pan to top right of form <PgUp> to scroll up <PgDn> to scroll down.

This section describes procedures for setting form page default values.

Selecting page properties

The Page Properties dialog box displays when a new form loads.

ELIXIRFORM FOR AFP USER GUIDE 4-7

ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

To change displayed default values:

1. Select [Page Properties] from the Options menu.

The Page Properties dialog box displays.

Figure 4-4. Page Properties dialog box

2. Select/enter default values, then click on [OK].

The Page Properties dialog box contains the following options:

Page size

Select the overlay’s page size. The width and length of the page display below this field in the units of measurement specified in the Units of Measure field.

[8.5 x 11] - U.S. letter size [8.5 x 14] - U.S. Legal size [11 x 17] - 11 x 17 inches [A4] - 8.27 x 11.69 inches [A3] - 11.69 x 16.54 inches [Custom] - nonstandard size; enter a width and height (maximum 17 inches x 17 inches)

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

If you change the page size of an existing form, some form elements may extend beyond the page boundary. If this happens, the Objects Off Page dialog box displays when you click on [OK]. See the "Exceeding form page size limits" section for more information on the Objects Off Page dialog box.

Switch

Changes the page orientation by reversing the width and height of the page.

Units of measure

Select the unit of measurement for the graphic and digital rulers and the selected page: [Inches], [CM], [MM], [Dots], [Points], or [Pels].

Your selection also changes the Ruler measure option in the Ruler Options and Grid Settings dialog boxes.

Color mode

Select the color mode supported by your output printer:

[Black and White] - the Color options do not display in the Toolbox

[Highlight Color] - uses the options selected below:

[Catalog] - select your printer’s catalog from the drop-down list

[Printer Palette] - select your printer’s color palette from the drop-down list

[Ink Dominance] - select the dominant color (if colors overlap):

— [Default] - prints the dominant ink color,

depending on your printer’s default — [Black] - prints black on color — [Color] - prints in the currently selected

color in the

[Full color] - uses color for borders, interior fills, texts and graphics, if supported by your printer

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Page Offset

Enter offset values used when converting Elixir-format forms (.ELX) to AFP overlay format (.OVE). This shift does not display on screen.

[Xoffset] - output shifts right by the units specified in the Units of measure field

[Yoffset] - output shifts down by the units specified in the Units of measure field

Exceeding form page size limits

When you change the size or orientation of an existing form, some form elements may extend beyond the page boundary.

If this happens, the Objects Off Page dialog box displays.

Figure 4-5. Objects Off Page dialog box

The Objects Off Page dialog box lists (by type) all form elements that extend beyond the page boundaries. For each object, select an action, then click on [OK]:

Delete

Deletes the object from the form.

Ignore

Increases the page size to accommodate the object.

Move in

Moves the object inside the page boundaries. Form objects may now overlap.

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Page databasing

ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Clip

Eliminate only that portion of object that is off page.

The Page Databasing dialog box displays when select [New Form] from the

menu. The entered informa-

File

tion stores with the form until it is changed or deleted, but does not print with the form.

To edit databasing information:

1. Select [Page Databasing] from the Options menu.

The Page Databasing dialog box displays.

Figure 4-6. Page Databasing dialog box

2. Select/enter information, then click on [OK].

The Page Databasing dialog box contains the following options:

Short Page Description

Enter a short description (maximum 60 characters) for the form.

Page Author

Enter the user ID (maximum 8 characters).

ELIXIRFORM FOR AFP USER GUIDE 4-11

ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Made for

Enter the name of the customer (maximum 13 characters).

Page Version

Enter the version number (maximum two characters).

Page Revision

Enter the form revision or modification identifier (one character only).

Local ID

Enter a name for the form (maximum 8 characters). This name is used as a comment in the [Made for] option.

Long Page Comments

Enter comments for the form (maximum 240 characters). Use the mouse to move to another line or any place within the comments box. Comments save with each form until they are changed or deleted.

Store Date/Time Stamp

Assigns a date or time stamp to the form after output datastream generation.

Date Format

Select the month/day/year/ format for the date provided by the [Store Date/Time Stamp] option.

sc:

Enter a date separator character (default /).

Time Format

Select a time format: [12 Hour am/pm] or [24 Hour].

sc:

Enter a time separator character (default :).

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Text and font options

To specify form text and font defaults:

1. Select [Text/Fonts Options] from the Options

ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

menu.

The Text and Font Options dialog box displays.

Figure 4-7. Text and Font Options dialog box

2. Select/enter information, then click on [OK].

The Text and Font Options dialog box contains the following options:

Text Display Options Text Tab Length

Enter the text tab length. The initial default setting is 5. Tab length is based on the width of the space character in the active font.

The tab length setting applies to all tabs on the current form (including those previously entered).

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Text Display Options Text Formatting Compatibility and Grid Step Precision

Select the text formatting and grid precision for the current form:

Text Display Options Tag Display

Prints the data tags included in Elixir forms.

[GEM] - uses original boxed text formatting of a form created in ElixirForm prior to version 3.0; internal grid step precision set to 0.1 dots

[Windows] - uses Windows boxed text formatting; internal grid step precision set to 0.01 dots

[None] - does not print the data tags [Replace Char] - prints the data tag field length

and replacement characters [Tag Name] - prints the data tag's field name

See your Elixir DataMerge User Guide or Elixir Docu- Tag User Guide for more information.

Font Options Font Preference

Select the default font type: [Screen] or [Elixir].

Font Options Sort Font List

Alphabetically sorts the font list.

Text Import Options Lock position

Locks text imported from an ASCII file in its initial position in the Work area. Subsequent text blocks are positioned directly underneath the first text block.

Text Import Options

Separate paragraphs

Allows you to place imported text blocks at different locations on the form. Paragraphs separated by two carriage returns create separate blocks you can place separately. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on importing text.

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Join Text Using

Select the format to group blocks of text into a single block:

[Spaces] - each text block displays under the previous text block; original line beginnings and endings are kept

[Justify] - joined text displays as one continuous paragraph; the width of the joined text is determined by the position of the left-most and rightmost characters in the text blocks

[Relatives] - each text block retains its position relative to the previous text block

To take out unwanted spaces or perform paragraph formatting operations, deselect then select the [Text Word Wrapping] option in the Text toolbox. See the ”Text operations” chapter for information on how to join text.

Keyboard Input Options Filter control codes on input

Prevents inadvertent keyboard entry of control codes, such as characters below decimal 32 (a space).

RTF Paste Options

Select RTF import options:

[Paste Fonts] - maintains font(s) specified in the imported text file

[Paste Colors] - maintains color(s) specified in the imported text file

GEM form defaults

For forms created using ElixirForm prior to version

3.0, use the GEM Forms Load Defaults dialog box to

select text formatting, grid step precision and color mode settings. These settings then apply to all subsequently loaded GEM forms.

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

To change settings for the currently loaded GEM form only, see the "Selecting page properties" and "Text and font options" sections.

To select GEM form defaults:

1. Select [GEM Forms Load Defaults] from the Options menu.

The GEM Forms Load Defaults dialog box displays.

Figure 4-8. GEM Forms Load Defaults dialog box

2. Select display options, then click on [OK].

The GEM Forms Load Defaults dialog box contains the following options:

Options in this dialog box may or may not display, depending on the options selected.

Extend Lines by Halfwidth

Displays horizontal and vertical lines with extensions equal to half the line thickness at each end. Affects the printed output only.

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Text Formatting Compatibility and Grid Step Precision

Select the text formatting and grid precision for loaded GEM forms:

[GEM] - uses original boxed text formatting of a form created in ElixirForm prior to version 3.0; internal grid step precision set to 0.1 dots

[Windows] - (default) uses Windows boxed text formatting; internal grid step precision set to 0.01 dots

Your selection is written to the Elixir SYSTEM.INI file. This formatting affects all GEM forms loaded afterwards.

Color Mode

Select the display color for loaded GEM forms:

[Black & White] - GEM form displays in black and white

[Highlight Color] - GEM form displays with the options selected below:

[PAL palette] - select an internal PAL palette from the drop-down list

[Catalog] - select your printer’s catalog from the drop-down list

[Printer Palette] - select your printer’s color palette from the drop-down list

[Full Color] - GEM form displays with the full color palette selected below:

Configuring the system

ElixirForm allows you to configure your system and to save the configuration for subsequent work sessions.

ELIXIRFORM FOR AFP USER GUIDE 4-17

ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Setting usage defaults

To select ElixirForm usage settings:

1. Select [Usage Switches] from the System menu.

The Usage Switches dialog box displays.

Figure 4-9. Usage Switches dialog box

2. Select display options, then click on [OK].

The Usage Switches dialog box contains the following options:

Save State on Exit

Saves the current menu and option settings when you exit ElixirForm.

Extend Lines by Halfwidth

Displays horizontal and vertical lines with extensions equal to half the line thickness at each end. Affects the screen display only - lines print as drawn.

Show Quick Help

Displays a short description of any icon that your cursor passes over in the Message area.

Show Form Dimensions

Display the dimensions of the current form in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Show Lines as WYSIWYG

Select a display resolution:

[240DPI] - lines and shape borders display as WYSIWYG on high-resolution monitors.

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Filing options

ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

[300DPI] - displays lines at 300 dpi and shape borders at 240 dpi

[OFF] - for low resolution monitors such as VGA. Light and medium lines and borders may display as the same thickness on low resolution monitors if this option is not selected.

ElixirForm allows you to specify default directories for forms, screen fonts, Elixir images, screen images, texts, tags and Elixir-format documents. Entered information saves to your SYSTEM.INI file.

To specify default filing information:

1. Select [Filing Options] from the System menu.

The Filing Options dialog box displays.

Figure 4-10. Filing Options dialog box

2. Select/enter filing information, then click on [OK].

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

The Filing Options dialog box contains the folowing options:

Autosave

Enter a time interval from 1 to 9 minutes in the Save interval field to automatically save your currently active form. The back-up form saves as AUTOBACK.ELX in the default forms directory.

Make Backup File (with .BAK extension)

Creates a back-up copy (.BAK) of the form which is overwritten only when you select [Save] from the File menu. The [Autosave] option does not overwrite this file.

The back-up file writes to the default forms directory and has the same stem name as the original file with a .BAK extension.

Load Last Form

Automatically loads the form you last worked on when you start a new ElixirForm session.

Write PostScript File on Form Save

Creates a PostScript file in the directory specified in the [Doc. Directory] option when the Form saves.

Forms Directory

Enter the directory for Elixir-format form files (.ELX) or click on the [Browse] button and select one from the Select Forms directory dialog box. Default is drive:\ELIXIR\FORMS\ELIXIR\DEMO.

Screen Fonts Directory

Enter the directory for Elixir-format screen font files (.FNT) and width tables (.WDT) or click on the [Browse] button and select one from the Select Screen Fonts directory dialog box. Default is drive:\ELIXIR\FONTS\SCREEN\DEMO. See the "Text operations" chapter for more information on screen and other fonts.

Elixir Images Directory

Enter the directory for Elixir-format image files (.LP3) or click on the [Browse] button and select one from the Select Elixir Images directory dialog box. Default is drive:\ELIXIR\PICS\PRINTER. See the "Images" chapter for more information on images.

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ELIXIRFORM DEFAULTS

Screen Images Directory

Enter the directory for Elixir-format screen image files (.LW8) or click on the [Browse] button and select one from the Select Screen Images directory dialog box. Default is drive:\ELIXIR\PICS\SCREEN. See the "Images" chapter for more information on screen images.

Texts Directory

Enter the directory for imported ASCII text files (.TXT) or click on the [Browse] button and select one from the Select Texts directory dialog box. Default is drive:\ELIXIR\TEXTS.

Tags Directory

Enter the directory for tag files (.TAG) or click on the [Browse] button and select one from the Select Tags directory dialog box. Tag files are used with DocuTag for external tag files called for in a form. Default is drive:\ELIXIR. See your Elixir DocuTag for AFP User Guide for more information.

Elixir Documents Directory

Enter the directory for the Elixir-format documents (.DAT) or click on the [Browse] button and select one from the Select Elixir Documents directory dialog box. Default is drive:\ELIXIR\DOCS\DOCLIST.

Resetting to defaults

To reset Toolbox options to default values:

1. Select [Reset to Defaults] from the System menu.

2. Click on [OK].

Saving a configuration

To save the configuration settings specified above, select [Save Configuration] from the System menu.

The configuration saves for the next time you open ElixirForm. If the font and screen directories change in the Elixir Desktop, these changes apply next time ElixirForm loads.

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5. Lines

This chapter describes how to draw and edit lines, with references made to options in the Line tool in the Toolbox.

Line display

The following section provides information about line display.

Setting the screen display

If you are using a low resolution monitor such as VGA, you should set the [Show Lines as WYSIWYG] option in the Usage Switches dialog box to [Off]; if you do not, thin lines and borders may display the same thickness as medium lines and borders.

See the "ElixirForm defaults" chapter for more information.

Screen refresh

After a screen refresh, overlapping lines and boxes may not display or print in the "front to back" order in which they were drawn. For example, a shaded box drawn on top of an existing line may display with the line on top of the box after a screen refresh operation. This is due to the page resorting method (from top left to bottom right) required by certain printers.

To prevent elements refreshing to an incorrect "front to back" order, avoid drawing elements that overlap. For example, to draw a box with lines extending from its borders, connect individual lines to the border of the box instead of drawing the box on top of a line that extends beneath and beyond its borders.

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LINES

Drawing lines

ElixirForm allows you to draw vertical, horizontal and free lines. You can also specify line thickness, style and color by selecting options from the Line toolbox.

To display the Line toolbox, select the Toolbox Line tool or select [Line] from the Tools menu.

Figure 5-1. Line toolbox

To start and end a line at grid points, click on the Toolbar [Show Grid] and [Snap to Grid] options.

If you want the line to snap to grid mid-points as well as to grid points, set the [Grid Snap] option in the Grid Setting dialog box to [Half Grid]. See the "ElixirForm basics" chapter for more information.

To draw a line:

1. Position the screen pointer in the Work area where you want the line to begin, then press and hold the mouse.

2. Drag the screen pointer across the Work area.

A line displays.

3. To end the line, release the mouse.

The line locks into position.

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4. Select line properties in the Line toolbox.

The Line toolbox contains the following options:

Line Direction

Select a direction for the line: [Horizontal only], [Vertical only], [Horizontal and Vertical] or [Free].

Line Width

Select a width for the line: [Thin] 2 dot, [Medium] 4 dot or [Thick] 6 dot line widths. You can also click on the up or down scroll arrow to increment line width by one dot, or click on the current width display and enter a new line width value up to 99 dots.

Line Style

Select a line style: [Solid], [Dashed] or [Dotted].

Line Color

If your printer supports color, select a color for the line as follows:

1. Select the [Color] option.

If you cannot see the color option, select the Page Properties dialog box [Full Color] option.

The Color dialog box displays.

2. Select a color, then click on the [Color] button.

3. Place the cursor in the Work area and draw a line.

The line displays in the color you selected.

All subsequently drawn lines display the same color until you select another color. Line color selections are saved with the form when you select [Save].

Editing lines

To select a line for editing:

1. Select the Toolbox Select/Edit tool.

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LINES

2. Place the cursor on the line you want to edit.

You can now change the line length and attributes.

Changing line length

You can change the length of a line by either entering new position coordinates or modifying it directly on the form.

To change line coordinates:

1. Select the Toolbar Current Object - Start

2. Backspace over current value(s) or press the

then right-click.

Boxes appear at each end of the selected line. The Line toolbox displays.

Coordinates area.

If you cannot click on this area, select the line again, then right-click.

<Del> key to delete the value(s), enter new coordinate value(s), then press <Enter>.

If allowed, you can use the <-> key to enter a negative value.

The line adjusts to the new coordinates.

To manually change line length:

1. Place the cursor at the end of the selected line.

The cursor changes to a four-way arrow.

2. Drag the end of the line until it reaches the desired length.

3. Release the mouse button.

The changed line locks into position.

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Sticky Lines <Ctrl> + <L>

When you select the [Sticky Lines] option in the Select/Edit toolbox, perpendicular connected lines stick together when you either move one of the lines or change line size. Lines connected to form the sides of boxes also remain attached when you either move or resize the box. If you deselect the [Sticky Lines] option, only the selected line is affected by subsequent line moves or size changes.

You must select either the [Horizontal only] or [Vertical only] option in the Toolbox when moving sticky lines. This requirement does not apply when moving or resizing boxes.

To create sticky lines:

1. Select the [Sticky Lines] option, then select a line and press <Ctrl>+<L>.

2. Select a line movement restriction option: [Horizontal only] or [Vertical only].

3. Resize a box either horizontally by moving its left or right side or vertically by moving its top or bottom side.

4. Release the mouse button.

The sticky line or box locks into position.

Changing line attributes

To change line width, style or color:

1. Select a line.

To change the attributes of multiple lines, shiftclick on each line or use the group feature described in the "Elixir Form basics" chapter.

2. Select the desired option(s) from the Line toolbox.

The properties apply to the line(s) you selected.

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LINES

Copying lines

To copy a line:

1. Select the Toolbox Select/Edit tool.

2. Select the Toolbox [Copy] option.

3. Select the direction for copying: [Horizontal

4. Select the line you want to copy.

5. Select the desired number of copies (99 maxi-

6. Select the line and drag it to where you want

only], [Vertical only] or [Free].

Boxes appear on the line when selected.

mum) by either clicking on the up or down arrows or clicking on the numeric display box and entering a new number.

Holding down the <Ctrl> key while clicking on the arrows increases or decreases the value displayed by 10.

the duplicate line(s) placed.

7. Release the mouse button.

The duplicate line(s) lock into position.

Moving lines

To manually move a line:

1. Select the Toolbox Select/Edit tool.

2. Select the direction for moving: [Horizontal only], [Vertical only] or [Free].

3. Select the line to move.

Boxes appear on the line when selected and the screen pointer changes to a hand.

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If the screen pointer does not change to a hand, press and hold the <Ctrl> key as you move the cursor over the line. When the screen pointer turns into a hand, you can move the line.

4. Click and drag the line to the new position.

5. Release the mouse button.

The line locks in the new position.

To move a line by entering new coordinates:

1. Select the Toolbar Current Object - Start Coordinates area.

If you cannot click on this area, select the line again, then right-click.

2. Backspace over the current values or press the <Del> key to delete the current values, enter new coordinate values, then press <Enter>.

The line adjusts to the new coordinates. If the sticky lines option is selected, connecting

lines and lines attached to the sides of boxes remain attached when one of the lines or the box is moved. See the "Sticky Lines" section for more information.

Deleting lines

To delete a line:

1. Select the Toolbox Select/Edit tool.

2. Select the line to delete, then press <Del>.

To restore a line immediately after deletion, either select the Toolbar Undo icon or select [Undo] from the Edit menu.

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6. Shapes

This chapter describes how to draw and edit shapes using ElixirForm.

Drawing shapes

ElixirForm allows you to draw paths, boxes and circles, and to apply attributes to these shapes by selecting options from the Toolbox.

If you want a box or path to start and end at grid points, select the Toolbar [Grid] and [Snap to Grid] icons.

If you want a box or path to snap to grid mid-points as well as to grid points, set the Grid Setting dialog box [Grid Snap to] option to [Half Grid].

To draw a shape, click a Toolbox shape tool and select the options for the shape.

Drawing paths

ElixirForm allows you to draw free paths or paths that snap to horizontal and vertical lines. You can specify path properties by selecting Path toolbox options.

To display the Path toolbox, either select the Path tool or pull down the Tools menu and select [Path]. The Path toolbox displays.

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SHAPES

Figure 6-1. Path toolbox

You draw a path in segments. To draw a path:

1. Move the screen pointer into the work area.

2. Click and drag the screen pointer to draw the first path segment.

3. Release the mouse button to finish the segment.

4. Draw the next and subsequent segments by repeating the above procedure.

The next segment begins where the last ended.

5. End the path by double-clicking or selecting the Finish Drawing option.

6. Select path properties from the Path toolbox.

7. When path completed, toggle the Path - Finish Drawing option to [Done] or double-click in the work area.

The Path toolbox contains the following options:

Path - Shape

Select open or closed paths. An open path remains open and a closed path automatically closes when you finish drawin the path.

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Path - Direction

Specify either [Snapped] or [Free] line segments. [Snapped] draws lines that snap to horizontal and vertical grid lines; [Free] draws line segments in any direction.

Path - Beginning and End Styles

Select a line beginning and end style: Square, round or mitered ends.

Custom Line/Border Thickness

Select standard [2], [4] or [6] border widths. Click on the up or down arrow to change the border width by one dot, or click on the current value and enter a new border width value up to 99 dots.

Line/Border Style

Select [Dotted], [Dashed] or [Solid].

Path - Finish Drawing

When you click in the Work area to add a path, you are in [Draw] mode. When you complete a path, select this option a second time or right-click in the Work area to toggle to [Done].

Object Fill Pattern/Shading

Applies shaded patterns to closed paths. To select a shade, click on a shade pattern in the Pattern dialog box. The pattern applies each time you draw a new closed path, until you change the pattern. Select the white shade box for no shading.

Path - Connection Radius

Select the value of the path connection radius by clicking on the radius window up or down arrows, or click in the numeric display box and enter a value (maximum 299 pels).

You can also select: [Small] 10 pels, [Medium] 20 pels, [Large] 30 pels, [Square], [Radius Half], or [Radius Maximum].

Drawing boxes

ElixirForm allows you to create split boxes (for example, one box evenly divided or split into two or more boxes), shaded boxes and boxes with varying borders and styles.

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SHAPES

To draw a box:

1. Select the Box tool in the Toolbox.

The Box toolbox displays.

Figure 6-2 Box toolbox

2. Position the screen pointer in the work area where you want a box corner.

3. Press and hold the mouse button.

4. Drag the screen pointer to form the shape of a box.

5. Release the mouse button to finish the box.

You can use the arrow keys to pan around the screen when drawing a box that exceeds work area boundaries.

6. Select box properties from the Box toolbox.

7. Select one of the following options to correspond to above width and style selections:

Border Lines

Select to set the width and style of box borders (and diagonals, if selected).

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Horizontal Lines

Select to set the width and style of horizontal splits in a box (see Box Splits, below).

Vertical Lines

Select to set the width and style of vertical splits in a box (see Box Splits, below).

8. When shape completed, toggle the Path Finish Drawing option to [Done] or double-click in the Work area.

The Box toolbox contains the following options:

Box - Predefined Shape

Select the box corner style: [All corners square], [All corners rounded], [Top rounded/bottom square], [Top square/bottom rounded], [Left rounded/right square], or [Left square/right rounded].

Box - Positioning Center/Top Left

Select the top half of this option to center the top left corner of the box on grid coordinates. Select the bottom half of the option to snap the top left corner of the box flush to grid coordinates.

Box - Shape Oblong/Square

Select the top half of this icon to draw boxes as rectangles. Select the bottom half of this icon to draw boxes as squares.

Box - Diagonals

Select the diagonal line pattern for inside the box: [None], [Left] ,[Right], or [Both]. Each option displays a sample box.

ELIXIRFORM FOR AFP USER GUIDE 6-5

Xerox ElixirForm for AFP User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual