Stretch buttons, how to make them more clear?

Is there a way to make words inside of stretch buttons more clean when exported?

Or to make text export directly in front of the button.

??

I tried to delete text and than create another one in front of the button but than mouse pointer act strange when exported..

Hi zaoka,

Usually the text is just as clear on stretchy buttons as it is on non-stretchy buttons.

Could you please post a .web file so that we can see exactly what is going on?

Eric

To keep the text sharp when grouping with a button apply the name HTMLText to the text object. See attached

Drwyd I didn't know you could do that, looks much sharper thanks!.

One small problem: WD6 has the menu button for the 'current' page in mouse_over state, (web standards thing I think) so for example on the home page the 'Home' is shown as constant Mouse_Over state- I am having problems naming this 'HTMLText' as it seems to make the text disapear?

It might be the way I have grouped things so will play around.

Hmm, getting some odd results. This file (created in XWD5) previews ok in XWD5 but not in XX5. Does it work in XWD6 ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Drwyd

Does it work in XWD6 ?

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The button didn't work. Only light gray showed, no text. I changed the links on both layers to "#" in the "Link to Web or Email address" field and then it worked. I also tried inserted a second page and linking the buttons accordingly. Then it also worked.

The linking to page 2 method does not work for XX5 :( The only method that seems to work consistantly for me across (and between) XWD5, XWD6 and XX5 is to use pop up layers instead of the MouseOver layer.

Aha - Apply the name NoAutoHighlight to the MouseOff button group :D

Can you try to edit this button?

These work in XWD5

Thanks

In XX5 when I export web site it does not hava text with mouse over.

This one works in XX5 and uses a pop up for each button

I got the nice clean sharp text (using 'Name' HTMLText) excellent!, thanks Drwyd.

Have worked around the auto highlight feature in WD6 (using 'Name' NoAutoHighlight)

All good until exported when the 'hover' of the cursor does not show the 'hand' when hovering over the text part of the button on the navbar - shows the same as when 'highlighting' a text object. A screen shot wont capture the cursor of the mouse so hope i've explained this right?

I know exactly what you are seeing. It happens in preview and IE. Try putting "#" in the link to web address field of the link properties (mouse off group only) This should work (cant test it till I get home) The only problem is that it will only give you a javascript link, not HTML.

Edit: But you will at least have HTML anchor text for the search engines. :D

Hi Antspants

Just tested (in preview) your file at my main machine. Works in XX5 and XWD6 but shows the text cursor only in XWD5

Drwyd, thanks.

yes, seems okay in 'preview' but its once you export as 'web site' (html export) that it changes. I can't see anyway around it - its named to be text and is treated as such I guess once in a browser enviroment?

The way i've adapted so far is a bit crude: just make sure that the 'grouped' invisible box area around the text is as large as possible so that you will still get the 'hand' hovering over most of it. Otherwise its the slightly blurred look ( I doubt anyone viewing even notices such things tbh but you know how it is when striving for perfection! )

On the mouseover layer place 99.5% transparent rectangles over each button text. Do not group them. Simply place them to hide the text beneath.

Excellent fix John, that has been bugging me for ages. Cheers :D

This works well, many many thanks :D

Example of covoxer's navbar fix here:

http://thechip-inn.co.uk/index.htm

just a mock up under a non indexed domain. I am updating the aerial/satellite site for a fresh summer look (attempting it anyway!).

The navbar uses 'HTMLText' in 'names' for all text on the buttons.
Also uses 'NoAutoHighight' in names to stop the default 'constant mouseOver' state.

I cant make it work without pop-up layers :(

1. created rectangle
2. created text
3. added names for text: HTMLText, NoAutoHighlight
4. added LinkTo: index
5. selected MouseOver layer
6. PastedInPlace the same button
7. changed color of the mouseover button
8. created invisible rectangle over TEXT in mouseover layer

It does not work :(

What im missing?

Please disregard a message from above. I did nice job with pop-up layers :)

Im still learning Xara so if i ask something stupid feel free to smile :D:D:D

zaoka

I tried this tweek in xx5 using your xar file and got the same. I made a new button from scratch and again can't get the text to show on mouseOver when using HTMLText.

Looks like the 'HTMLText' tweek will only work in web designer(6?).

Web designer 6 is cheap to buy :D - I use it for all the web functions & xtreme5 for some of the nice design features.

Or, just wait to upgrade to xx6 and you will get evrything included from the current wd6 I think.

Yes, im waiting for XX6 and for now I can use pop-up layers.