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I notice that, a very important feature is missing from xara designer.
The option to adjust the page length to fit the page content. Particularly useful and time saving when you create variants. I mean when you add an element, the page length grows accordingly. I've tried with the "push "button but is so fiddly and unreliable especially when you have a page with many elements, such as text boxes, images, pop ups etc...
Any tips from the experts here will be very much appreciated.
I think you should be look in the manual at the 'fit to width' feature - but a web expert will have more detail I am sure....
Manuel? Fit to width and uncheck All pages same size. (Options > Page Size)
The title explain it. "Auto page length " fit to width doesn't answer my question. I know all about fit to width but is completely different subjectQuote:
Originally Posted by gwpriester
Andre, using Push is the right Tool.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre7
The main trick I use is to Clone a Push element.
This then appears under the last element and the page grows accordingly.
I then alter the Clone.
The next trick is when moving elements.
I find disabling Push for the move avoids everything jumping out of the way.
If you keep Push on then when moving, move far left/right, release, then up/down to position in the right vertical position; the element otherwise remembers where it was in the pecking order.
Once you get the hang of it, you pick the highest object you want to move to create a gap and all those underneath push each other and the page Bottom down.
The final approach is to use Auto-fit to Page sensibly with footers locked to the Bottom and the converse for headers.
This way you create space when you drag the page Bottom down, keeping the footer in place.
Where Push is a pain is trying to line up objects across the way.
I find you can use the power of the Smart Duplication Spacing with Drag and Shift+Drag is very useful.
For text, you need to use the Text Inside construct, which have advantages too with its Margin control.
It is all a case of parctice.
Acorn
Thanks "Acorn" for your very informative and detailed reply. I am not an expert but I like to think I know my way around xara, (after I use it for more than 10 years now) and i already tried all of this solutions. I was just hoping if there is something I can do to take the pain and time out of building a variant, as some of my sites are large and some demand to build a completely different design for a mobile variant. Page auto expand will be God's send for me. Just looking for a magic pill I guess :D
Andre, being forced to create a different design in the Variant it what it is all about; it forces you to be rigorous and reflective leading to a better presentation for both Main and variant.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre7
I use dynamic guidelines made with Lines set by Auto-fit so I can quickly fit into each design page.
I far prefer setting up scaffolding and then breaking out for some text or image for dramatic effect. Without setting the boundaries, you are only shuffling things around.
Also remember a Main page can work in three dimensions, hide detail away on layers.
A Variant is more one dimensional so it is longer and requires more breadcrumbs to indicate place.
Acorn
That's make so much sense Acorn. I guess that's the magic I was waiting for!! Dynamic guidelines is the way to go. Thanks a million Acorn. The penny dropped!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Acorn
glad you got it sorted, my mistake
auto fit to page is what I was thinking of, as detiled by acorn, who is an expert