Overlay (Draw)

Definition:

An overlay is made up of all static and dynamic elements of a Designer project. It can be compared to pre-printed pages in the printing industry.

The "Draw F" part is the one used to design overlays, you can access it by clicking on the corresponding tab in the status bar.

Selecting this tab gives you access to the "Overlay" toolbar in the "Shape" menu.

If you are working on a double sided project, use the "Draw B" tab to design the overlay for the duplex.

To save an overlay:

• Click on the Draw F (Front) tab at the bottom of the screen.
• Click on the save icon of the Standard toolbar

or

• Click on the Draw F (Front) tab at the bottom of the screen.
• Choose option Save then Document in the File Menu

or

• Click on the Draw F (Front) tab at the bottom of the screen.
• Use the "Ctrl+S" keyboard shortcut

To save the overlay under another name, go in the File Menu and choose option Save as, then Document.

For existing overlays

• Click on the Draw F (Front) tab at the bottom of the screen.
• Choose the Open option, then Document in the File Menu.

Note:

To open a new duplex overlay, all you need to do is click on the Draw B tab instead of the Draw F one.

Overlay elements

Geometric shapes

To draw a geometric shape, select the corresponding icon. Hold the button of your mouse down and drag your mouse to define the shape and place it on the page.

Give it the height and width you would like by dragging your mouse. Then, release the mouse button.

Once the shape is drawn, you can select it, move it around and change its properties (size, outline, filling).

Designer also features a variety of more complex shapes you can select.

Texts

To insert a text box, select the "Text" icon then hold the button of your mouse down where you want the box to be placed.

Using the same method as with the geometric shape, drag your mouse to adjust the height and width of the box. Once you have released the mouse button,

write your text and format it as you wish (font, size, colour, bold, aligned / justified…).

Images

To insert an image, select the "Image" icon and hold the button of your mouse down where you want the image to be placed.

Give it the height and width you would like by dragging your mouse.

Once you have released the mouse button, a windows opens and asks you to select the image file you want to insert. All you need to do is select the right file.

The image you selected will then be added to the overlay of the project. You can choose to keep the original dimensions of the file or alter them.

Static table

Using this tool, you can insert a static table into the overlay, you will have to define its properties upon creating it.

To add a static table, select the Static table icon and hold the button of your mouse down where you want the table to be placed.

Once you have released the mouse button, a window opens and asks you to define the various parameters of the rows and columns such as their height, position, number, colour, titles...