Professional Engraving Systems

Even and Factored Spacing Now Object-Selecatable - by Ben Rosenstein

Xenetech Graphic Workstation (XGW) engraving application software, has always been well known for its superior text handling capability through file import, copy input, auto grid cutout, serialization, auto plate layout, and auto panel layout.

One feature contained in XGW is the ability to evenly space all lines on a plate. This feature, Even Spacing, will reposition ALL lines and objects, spacing them equidistant vertically on the plate, based on the parameters defined in the Automatic Layout Format Dialog.

In response to customer request, users may now use this enhanced feature by selecting only the lines to be automatically even spaced. This gives the user even more control and speed when producing the layout.

Let’s compare the standard Even Spacing capability and the enhanced version by working through a plate layout. If you have a plate with six lines without any lines being selected and you either press the hot key (F8) or the menu choice: Plate /Even Spacing. The lines will be automatically, even spaced vertically on the plate.

With the enhanced Even Spacing, first select only those lines you wish to be evenly spaced on the plate. Those lines not selected will remain in their current position when the user selects Even Spacing. Press the hot key F8 or select the menu choice Even Spacing and the selected lines will be automatically even spaced vertically on the plate. Note that if you have a logo in with the selected lines, it will treat the logo as a line and even space it with the lines of selected text.

Let's compare this new feature to the older FREEZE feature that is existed in the Xenetech Graphic Workstation to make layout commands object-dependent.. The freeze command uses an assigned color setting to render all objects of that color unselectable. This means that I can place objects on the plate to be used as a layout template or guide indicator. By setting these objects to a color different than other objects on the plate, I can "freeze" them in the layout and make them unselectable so that they can not be adjusted. By utilizing the freeze functions, I could then use the F8 or F9 functions to space the remaining unfrozen items on a plate.

To Freeze a layout element, select it and choose TEXT COLOR from the COLOR menu. Select a color other than black. Here we will use red. Press OK.

Next, select LAYERS from the COLOR menu. You can see here that I can check the box to freeze the corresponding color. Now all objects of this color are not selectable in the layout.

By making layout objects different colors and freezing them, routines such as Even Spacing and Factored Spacing will only apply to remaining layout objects,

In summary, Even Spacing and now the enhanced version dramatically reduce the number of key strokes and mouse clicks in the layout process. This reduction allows for the quicker production of plaques, signs, rubber stamps, gifts, and part marking. The reduced time increases your productivity and increases your profits.
For more information on other productivity enhancing features in XGW, e-mail our customer service department at tech@xenetech.com or visit our website at www.xenetech.com.