Vision MaxPro, Operation Manual

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Operations 135
© 2006 Vision Engraving Systems
·
Ability to enter multiline text as a single object with control over line and letter spacing and
easy ungrouping of lines for positioning with a mouse.
·
Spell checker with user definable dictionaries.
· Easy text column setup using user defined frames.
·
Arc engraving and fit text to path for any text object.
· Complete text distortion effects and ability to convert text to graphics for more elaborate
text effects.
Important First Concepts with Text
Several basic concepts are important to understand in order to use the text features of
Vision Pro effectively. The most important concept is to understand the difference between
free text and frame text in the Vision Pro text module. Each is briefly defined below:
Frame Text
– This is first "A" in the text tools flyout item. Frame Text provide a fixed text
frame that constrains the text within the frame. Margins can be defined to control how close
the text lines get to the edge of the frame. Vertical and horizontal alignment controls are
used to specify placement of the text within the frame. Frame Text is used when you want a
single column “automatic layout” of text in a job. Frame Text will place a fixed frame that
exactly matches the sign blank (engraving plate) and will use the margin settings set in the
Frame Properties dialog to constrain the text to the frame. Frame Text is particularly useful
when creating a job for multiple plates when you will be merging text of various lengths
(such as a list of names) into a job. The fixed frame will ensure that the merged text
remains with in the plate and margin boundaries you enter when setting up the job.
Another important concept when working with text is how Vision Pro sets defaults for many
text features when working with text.
Whatever choices you make in the text module
becomes the default or starting value for that setting for the next text object you
enter.
Almost all settings including font, character height, slant angle, line and letter
spacing, kerning option, and margin and alignment settings, will remain as starting values for
the next text object. This can be confusing for the new user, since the values do not appear
to be consistent each time you use the text tool. This default to the last values entered is
seen in a large majority of settings in the Vision Pro software.
Free Text
– This is second "A" in the text tools flyout item. Free Text is similar to artistic text
in many graphic programs. When using Free Text, there are no constraints at all to text
position or placement. There are no margins applied to Free Text. Free text is used when
you wish to place a text object in a free form manner with the mouse. Free Text is also used
with the Fit Text to Arc and Fit Text to Path commands, and when using the graphics
transformations. There is no automatic alignment available when using Free Text; the
object alignment tool is used to align free text to either the engraving plate or to other
objects in the layout. A text frame is visible in Free Text as a blue dashed rectangle, and the
frame simply grows as you type the text on screen.
Accessing the Text Module
New text in Vision Pro is accessed by pressing the text icon in the left side toolbar. When