FrameMaker 7 Graphics, Alignments, and Connections - Adobe Framemaker

I draw my illustrations in Illustrator and import them as EPS. Frankly, I think FrameMaker's drawing tools were nice at version 4 but find them dated now. And, getting FrameMaker art out of FrameMaker for use elsewhere is a pain. Another tool to consider is CorelDraw.

Cheers,

Sean

Shane,

You can "nudge" any FM graphic with Alt+<ArrowKey>.

However, like Sean, I use external drawing programs to do graphics because it tends to be quicker and better than FM's tools.

I do my block drawings in Visio, save them as .png files, and import them by reference.

SnagIt for screen snaps, again save and imported as .png files.

Art

Shane,

If you want to force objects to abut, use the Graphics >
Distribute..., Vertical Spacing and set the Edge Gap to 0.0

Holding down the Shift key forces objects to de drawn or moved in only
the x or y direction.

Holding down the Alt key and using the arrow keys moves the object.
Note: this movement is Zoom function dependent. At low zoom values
(25, 50, 100), the movement is about 6pts, while at larger zoom
values, this movement drops down to 1pt or even 0.1pt. I forget where
the exact transition points are.

Wow, quick responses!
Thanks for all the info, definitely 'Print and add to handy-book of tips' information.

I would NEVER have looked at Distribute and I should have automatically tried Alt and Shift+Alt... heh.. still learning, I guess.

Thanks for all the info, looks like I may have to re-delve into the eps question, too.

Shane

Hi, Shane:

As Arnis notes, distributing objects with zero edge gap makes them abut.

When aligning objects, the last-selected object stays in position and other selected objects align to it. I believe this is also true for distributing objects.

A simple method to make connection lines appear to be precisely connected to objects is to create slightly too-long connector lines, fill the objects with any pattern or color and move them forward of the connector line. FM's object fills are not transparent, so the lines won't show through.

Moving objects with the Alt+Arrow keys ("micropositioning") works like this: Alt+Arrow moves one screen pixel in the arrow direction, at any zoom percentage, for each arrow press. Alt+Shift+Arrow moves six screen pixels at any zoom percentage. So, if you're at 100%, one Alt+Arrow press is one pixel of true movement. At 200% zoom, one Alt+Arrow press is .5 pixel true movement at 100%. At 50% zoom, one Alt+Arrow press is 2 pixels true movement at 100%.

HTH

Peter Gold
KnowHow ProServices

Shane...

For this kind of work, I would definitely create them outside of FrameMaker and then import them by reference. I use Illustrator, save as PDF and then import the graphic into an anchored frame. The FrameMaker drawing tools are far too crude and, as Sean pointed out, those illustrations aren't easily reused elsewhere.

If Gravity is turned on, lines should snap to objects with no gaps nor
overshoots. However, if FM's Snap is also turned on (this forces
objects to move in pre-defined grid increments), then these may battle
for supremacy and end-points may not go where you expect.

Hi there,
does somebody know how to align all graphics inside a document in just one go? I get large documents with lots of graphics. The graphics are imported but not nicely aligned. So, I have to align all graphics one by one. In my case, all the graphics should be left and top aligned to the anchored frame.

Regina,
Wow, now THAT'S a big question. I imagine if the graphics aren't in anchored frames it MIGHT work, but I wouldn't know how to do a "Select all graphics" to do the aligning.

I played around a bit and got nowhere.

I'd suggest posting under a new topic (My google searches got me as far as playing around w/ Framemaker).

Shane