Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

Hello Mike et al,

I'm currently editing a series (saved as a job) of 4x6" pages each with an image and floating text. I'm having trouble with retrieval of floating text and do the independent rotation of image.

I use a previous page as a template and then update image. Sometimes the image orientation is incorrect but if I select and rotate the image, the associated text also rotates, sometimes ending up completely or half off the page.

My questions are:

1/ Can I independently rotate the image while leaving all floating text fields in position?

2/ Failing that, how do I retrieve  text that has been rotated with the image and ends up completely or half off the page?

I have a fairly urgent need for a solution, so if anyone can help ....


Thanks

PETER
 

Hi Peter,
I think you must treat the different orientations as separate jobs.

You could make 2 templates, one for Vertical format & one for Horizontal format, each with the same text but positioned according to the format. You will have to treat each format as a separate print job.
For this suggestion you do need to make a Qimage template (use the blank template image at the bottom of all the thumbs), save as a layout, clear the queue and then use by selecting Custom - Layout - your template.
Terry

Some more thoughts after a little experimentation, and assuming I understand you correctly that you are more-or-less filling the page with an image
Load your images with the Image orientation off so the image does not have to be rotated after loading into the queue, ie. each type of image format fits the page.
Where the text needs to rotated, enter 270 in the text rotation field; if it goes off the page, revert and reposition so it does not. Enter 270 again and position text as required.
Terry.

Another solution is to set the rotation to 0 or -90 degrees in the floating text box.
I placed 5 images into the queue, making 5 pages, alternating portrait and landscape images.
I can place my text perfectly using that method.

Fred

Thanks very much Terry.

I will try your suggestion of reverting the orientation them drag the float text into the centre of the page so it wont disappear when I correct the image orientation.

I have been using portrait and landscape "templates" from within the series.  But in replacing a portrait image with another, sometimes the image loads 90o wrong.

I'll look into your real template suggestion.

Thank again. I appreciate the fast reply.

PETER 

Thanks Fred,

Yes, that's how I constructed the series initially. In my case all pages have landscape text (it layout varies) but the embedded image is either portrait or landscape (both relative to the landscape page). I have learned how to copy a "portrait" or "landscape" image page and over write the image with a new one for the new page ...... but I'm occasionally getting the 90o out error and correcting it leads to the text disappearing problem.

Edited: the purpose of the series is to produce title/information cards that are attached to wall beside framed photographs in a gallery.

PETER
 

If I'm understanding what you want to do, it might help to just not link the text to the prints.  Instead of right clicking on the print and choosing floating text, click the "A" button just above "HQ Preview".  Then the text will be linked to the page instead of the print.  If you link text to a print it goes with that print whatever you do to it.

Mike

Thanks very much, Mike.

Late last night I figured out about de-linking the text from the image. And the "A" button makes it much more straight forward.

I guess with the image de-linked text there's no way to copy/paste a page of image and text fields?

PETER

No but you could always create the page as a template and then save it as a layout.  That way each new page takes on the layout you designed (with text and all).

Mike

It seems that I have found the right thread for my question how to build up a template similar to the layout used by Brooks Jensen: http://www.brooksjensenarts.com/singleimages/fullsheet.htm
To insert the custom title for each image I think I can use the field $T - IPTC Title.

(http://www.brooksjensenarts.com/images/fullsheet01.jpg)

Edit: Theory is one thing, practice another one. Using left and right align for the text is pushing the paragraph on the edge of the print - but I'd like to have small border. Using free floating text is the other option, but now I can't align the text in the right textbox to the right side.
How can this be resolved, I don't want to insert the text in Photoshop....  ???

Maybe I'm not understanding exactly what you are trying to do.  Can't you just create right or left aligned floating text and then just drag that section of floating text wherever you want it?

Mike

In the past, in cases where the text was aligned to the edge of the page, I have put in a couple of spaces at the beginning or end of the justified text line to keep it clear of the page edge.
Terry.

Creating the right and left aligned text the letters are on the border of the print, but I'd like to have a small border between the text and the print border. Is there a way to archive the desired layout?

Making the left text (no align) free floating I can drag it away from the print border. Doing like this I have problems with the right aligned text. No alignment and free floating the text will be justified at the left side. Alignment of the text at the right side will eliminate the space between the print border and the text... 

Thanks for the hint Terry, but isn't there an easier way to get an equal border at the left and the right side?

Thomas,

In the floating text properties box, check off the "link to:" box, and then "selected print."  You can try adjusting the gap between the text and the edge of the paper by adding a border to the print.  (The "Borders" box, below the "Actual print size.")

Mark

Make your layout with a template image (the blank thumbnail at the bottom of the list), complete with text , including any linked text (IPTC etc.) and save as a layout. Use the template  from Custom/Layout, NOT Recall.
Terry.

Next try. Inside is the image with borders "outside the selected print size".
Border 1 is yellow, border 2 is grey.
3 floating text fields with align left, centered and align right.

Question: Is it possible to position the text inside the yellow border 1 ?
Or do I need to construct the setup of the floating field in another manner to get also a small border outside the text? I'm printing on 24" roll paper and I'm using "mark corners" for cutting the paper later on.

It looks as though one of your text fields is centred on the page rather than linked to the appropriate image. The image must be selected in the FPE and link to print selected in the Floating Text dialogue.
I mentioned the other day about putting extra spaces at the beginning or end of justified lines to create space between the text and edge of the printed area.
The other way  (Mike said it I think) is to not justify the text and position it manually. However if the text is based on image data (Exif and IPTC), then it still must be linked to each print.
Hope that helps.
Nice photographs too  :)

Terry.

"Thanks"  Thomas Krüger

Your posting of your image sure makes it easier to understand!
Sometimes you can read a manual over an over and it just don't sink in the brain.

And yes a Big Thank You to all who replied and help explain!

I am one that learns by picture :) :)

Your a great group
Ya Me

I had planned to have v2009.268 ready by now which would have been the best answer to this, but I decided to keep working and do some more stuff before I release it.  Bottom line: v2009.268 will allow you to move your text left/right even when it is left/right justified.  Basically it will left/right justify it against the print or page but then you can pick it up and move it if you like and the justification will remain intact.  That will allow you to have right justified text linked to a print (for example) and grab the text dot and move it inward (left) a little if you like while the text still remains right justified as you move it.  Just got to wait a few more days for the feature.  :)

Mike

Hello Mike,

v268

The linking of the left, right or centre justified text to the left/right/centre of the photograph has become an "essential" feature for me. I hope that it remains and that if I resize the image slightly then the text continues to follow (the accurate automatic placement is important). Maybe such de-linking should be an option rather than automatically implemented if the text is moved.

With my use, an option to deactivate the automatically scaling of font size if the size of the image is changed would be good since I'm often having to hand change the font size of a number of linked fields per image back to the intended size if I resize the image slightly.

I think tags that automatically embed the current date and the current H x W  (mm, cm or inches) of the (to be printed) image within normal floating text  would be very handy.

Thanks

PETER
 

None of that changes.  If you move the text, it is not "de-linked" from the print if it was linked to the print before.  If you move it inward slightly, it'll stick to that position relative to the print.

Mike

Thanks Mike!  :)

That's good! Thanks.

v2009.268 allows "undocking" of the left/right aligned text and you can move it away from the edge of the print/page if you like.

Mike

Hello Mike,

After working a lot more with custom templates I would like to re-iterate how it would be very useful to have the option to turn automatic scaling of fonts in floating text boxes off! I mean an option in the floating text edit box.

PETER

PS The other functions mentioned also remain on my "wish list".

Hello Mike,

After working a lot more with custom templates I would like to re-iterate how it would be very useful to have the option to turn automatic scaling of fonts in floating text boxes off! I mean an option in the floating text edit box.

Your recently implemented "liberation" of left and right justified text boxes works very well, while retaining the original functionality.

Thanks

PETER

PS The other functions mentioned also remain on my "wish list".