The other day I needed to draw a vertical scale complete with numerical
references. I groaned, and set about the task. First I used the Line
tool to draw a short horizontal path marking the top end of the scale.
I gave it a half-point stroke, then I cloned it and dragged it to
the bottom to make the tail end of the scale. This particular scale
had 14 equal segments, and the height of the scale was arbitrary -
it fit the space, period.
Then I typed the first number, hit the Return/Enter key, typed the
second number, and so on to the last number. I gave no thought to
the leading or spacing between the lines of text I was creating.
When the numbers were through, I aligned the top of the first number
with the top line. Then it was a simple matter to grab the center
control point in the middle of the bottom of the text block (as shown
in the second example in the figure) and drag it down until the last
number aligned with the next-to-last indexing line. It was a simple
matter to then move the block of text down until it was in the middle
of the indexing lines.
How‘s that for a job done in a matter of a couple minutes without
a calculator or trial and error with leading?
Horizontal Scales
Well that‘s fine, you say, but what if you need a horizontal
scale? It‘s not that much more complicated. Using the same stroke
technique, create the number of spaces you need. Then type the numbers
separated by spaces. If you know the size of the font and the spacing
is correct, convert the text to paths and ungroup it. This creates
a pretty good mess of objects, but you can clean it up quickly. Group
the double-digit numbers, but leave the single-digit numbers alone.
We want to align the numbers beneath the index lines, but simply
selecting the numbers by dragging a selection with the Pointer tool
will select the points on the
single-digit numbers. If we go to the next step, all these points
will move, and that‘s not what we want, so do this little trick: Select
all the numbers and group them. Then ungroup them. All the numbers
(individual objects) will be selected, but their points will not be
selected.
When thatÔs done, move the last number to the next to the last index
line (considering that you want to number spaces, not index marks).
It should look like the second example in the figure.
Then open the Align panel and set the Horizontal alignment to No
Change and the Vertical alignment to Distribute Centers. This will
place a number directly beneath each index line as shown in the third
example in the figure.
Finally, move the numbers so they fit between the index lines. Bingo!
You‘re done, and again, it less than a few minutes.
Every
issue, we try to bring you some news about the new features, bugs, workarounds,
and other information that can make your FreeHand life more comfortable.
Multiple
Attributes.You can have
multiple strokes, fills, raster effects, and vector effects all from
the same path. The original path may be modified, and any effects or
additional strokes and fills will be modified as well. Each of the attributes
can be moved up or down the stacking order in the Object Inspector panel.
Caveat when working with text: If you apply these effects, strokes,
and fills to live text they will look and print as you see them. But
if you convert the text to paths, all the raster and vector effects
will be lost. You can turn your effects into styles and reapply them
to the converted text, however. Strokes added to live text are added
on top of the fill. In order to place the stroke beneath the text, you
must convert the text to paths, or clone the live text and leave it
directly above the original text.
Reposition
While Drawing.Have you ever
drawn a selection box or used the Lasso tool to create a selection only
to find that the selection needs to be moved just a tad? Sure you have.
In FreeHand MX, try this: Make your selection, and while the mouse is
still down, hold down the Spacebar. Moving the mouse will now move the
selection. Release the Spacebar and continue making your selection.
You can learn to love this new feature really quick.
Answers
Panel. We can’t get
away from it – everything’s on the Internet now. The Answers
Panel is linked to Macromedia’s Web site and will give you the
absolute latest skinny on anything you may be having trouble with in
FreeHand. If you don’t have an Internet connection, you’re
basically out of luck, so you might want to find out what’s going
to go wrong before you start working in FreeHand on a cruise ship.
