The line and rectangle elements allow you to further customize your book pages. Here are some examples of uses for each element.
Lines
Underline text
Separate or embellish text
Rectangles
Add a frame to photos or text boxes.
First, change the rectangle color to transparent, then add a border. Play around with the border color and thickness.
Highlight a portion of text or image.
Choose the color of the rectangle, then adjust its transparency and size.
Change the background color of your page
Go to the Elements tab in the toolbar, then click Rectangle. A rectangle will appear on your page.
Click the paint bucket icon at the top of the editor to change its color. You can choose one of the color swatches or use the slider to pick a new color. You can also enter a HEX code and RGB values.
Next, click and drag on the white squares around the rectangle to fit it to the entire page. Be sure to extend the color beyond the pink border.
Perhaps you have already added photos or text and the rectangle is now covering up those objects. Select the rectangle, then go to Position in the top-right toolbar and send it to the bottom.
Once you are satisfied with your background color and position, we recommend locking it in place to avoid accidentally moving it while you add your photo(s) and text.
ADDING THE LINE ELEMENT TO YOUR PROJECT
Click the "Elements" tab in the editor.
Select the "Line" element. It will automatically populate onto your project. The line will settle at a larger size, but you can easily crop, resize, and move the line element around.
HOW TO RESIZE OR ROTATE THE LINE ELEMENT
Click on the line you want to resize.
Position your cursor over one of the white boxes until it becomes a plus sign.
Hold the left-click button on your mouse and drag it around the page to resize or rotate the line.
HOW TO REPOSITION THE LINE ELEMENT
To reposition or move the line, click on the line you want to move.
While holding the left-click button on your mouse, drag the line to move and reposition it. Blue dotted lines appear to help you align with other elements placed on your project. You can use these as a guide to making sure everything lines up.
If you'd prefer, you can also move the line around by selecting it and then using the arrow keys on your keyboard. This is great for smaller movements.
HOW TO CHANGE STROKE THICKNESS OF THE LINE ELEMENT
Click on the line you want to change the stroke thickness.
Use your mouse to click the arrow keys to the right of the number box to increase or decrease the stroke thickness of the line.
HOW TO CHANGE THE COLOR OF THE LINE ELEMENT
Click the highlighter icon.
Select a color from the pre-determined choices or use your mouse to click and move the color faders to customize a color from the color menu.
If you'd like to match the color to the existing lines of your Family Tree Poster, the Hex codes are as follows:
Classic - 7E6A2A
Modern - 2C2C2C
Vintage - 5F564A
ADDING THE RECTANGLE ELEMENT TO YOUR PROJECT
Click the "Elements" tab in the editor.
Select the "Rectangle" element. It will automatically populate onto your project. The rectangle will settle at a larger size, but you can easily crop, resize, and move the rectangle element around.
HOW TO RESIZE THE RECTANGLE ELEMENT
Click on the rectangle element you want to resize. A blue box will appear around the image.
Position the cursor over the top of one of the white squares until it becomes a double-sided arrow.
Hold the left-click button on your mouse and drag in or out to increase or decrease the rectangle size.
HOW TO ROTATE THE RECTANGLE ELEMENT
To rotate the rectangle element, click it, position your cursor over the rotation icon until it becomes a plus sign, hold the left-click button, and then drag counterclockwise or clockwise.
HOW TO REPOSITION THE RECTANGLE ELEMENT
To reposition or move the rectangle, click on the rectangle you want to move. You'll see a blue box around the rectangle.
While holding the left-click button on your mouse, drag the rectangle to move and reposition it. Blue dotted lines appear to help you align with other elements placed on your project. You can use these as a guide to making sure everything lines up.
If you prefer, you can move the rectangle by selecting it and using the arrow keys on your keyboard. This is great for smaller movements.
HOW TO CHANGE THE COLOR OF THE RECTANGLE ELEMENT
Select the rectangle you'd like to edit. You'll see a blue box around the rectangle.
Click the Fill Color icon in the top white toolbar.
Choose a color from the pre-determined choices, or use your mouse to click and move the color faders to customize a color from the color menu.
HOW TO DELETE THE LINE AND RECTANGLE ELEMENT
Click on the element you want to remove. You'll see a blue box around the element you'll be deleting.
Click the trash can icon in the top white toolbar or hit the delete button on your keyboard.
Please note that the default pedigree lines on the Family History Books and Posters cannot be edited or removed.
If you accidentally delete something, you may use the 'Undo' button in the top white toolbar immediately after deleting it. It will bring the element back to your project. Please be sure to undo it instantly, as once you've moved on to something else, you won't be able to undo it anymore.
When editing your Family History Book, you'll see a pink border around each page. If you hover your mouse over the border, you'll see the message, "Items in the shaded area may be cut off."
You can add text, photos, and embellishments to the edges of the page, but please note that anything in the shaded area may get cut off in production or fall into the bookbinding. We print ordered projects as you've created them, so please check for typos, correctness, and layout.
Here's more information on the bleed zone.
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