Rectangle

Rectangle object creates a rectangular frame on a label.

Style

Outline group defines line settings:

  • Thickness: object line thickness.

  • Outline style: object line style.

    • Solid: solid line.

    • Dot: dotted line.

    • Dash: dashed line.

    • Erase: parts of neighboring objects become invisible underneath this object.

  • Outline color: color of the line.

  • Corner radius: makes the rectangle corners round. Higher values make the curve broader.

Fill group defines the object fill settings and color.

  • Fill style: object fill properties definition:

    • None: completely transparent object.

    • Erase: makes objects beneath the active one hidden.

    • Solid: fills the object with a solid color.

    • Right Diagonal: fills the object with diagonal lines that ascend toward the right side.

    • Left Diagonal: fills the object with diagonal lines that ascend toward the left side.

    • Vertical: fills the object with vertical lines.

    • Horizontal: fills the object with horizontal lines.

    • Cross: fills the object with crossed lines.

    • Cross Diagonal: fills the object with diagonally crossed lines.

    • 25% of color: fill color opacity 25 %.

    • 50% of color: fill color opacity 50 %.

    • 75% of color: fill color opacity 75 %.

  • Background color: object fill color definition.

Note

The system does not allow the Outline style and Fill style to be set to None at the same time.

Tip

Shape objects (Rectangle, Line and Ellipse) in Loftware remember the last used setting. Each time you add one of these objects to the label, it has the same outline and fill settings as the previously added shape object.

Position

Position tab defines object positioning and its position-related behavior.

Position group defines the object's position.

  • X and Y: anchoring point coordinates.

Size group sets the object's dimensions:

  • Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimension.

  • Keep aspect ratio: simultaneous changing of object dimensions while scaling.

Note

If the measurement unit is changed in label properties, the value transforms automatically.

Rotation angle is the object angle according to the design surface.

Tip

There are multiple ways to set the object's angle: enter the angle manually, drag the slider or click and drag the 006.png icon on the selected object. Rotation angle and slider rotates the object around its anchoring point. The 006.png icon rotates the object around its central point.

Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to design surface. Variable size objects increase or decrease their size in the direction that is opposite to the chosen anchoring point.

Lock prevents the object from being moved during the design process.

Relative Position options define the position of an object when label size or positions of neighboring objects are changing during the label design process.

  • Enable horizontal relative position: activates horizontal relative positioning.

    • Relative to label border: the position of object is defined relative to the reference label border. Define horizontal offset for the object with regard to this border.

    • Relative to another object: the position of object is defined relative to the border of a neighboring object. Define horizontal offset for the object with regard to this object.

    • Object: selects the reference object for horizontal relative positioning.

    • Border: neighboring object's reference border or label border (if there are no other objects on the label) for horizontal relative positioning.

    • Offset: horizontal distance from label border or reference object's anchoring point.

  • Enable vertical relative position: activates vertical relative positioning.

    • Relative to label border: the position of object is defined relative to the reference label border. Define vertical offset for the object with regard to this border.

    • Relative to another object: the position of object is defined relative to the border of a neighboring object. Define vertical offset for the object with regard to this object.

    • Object: selects the reference object for vertical relative positioning.

    • Border: neighboring object's reference border or label border (if there are no other objects on the label) for vertical relative positioning.

    • Offset: vertical distance from label border or reference object's anchoring point.

Note

Object position changes if label size or position of the related object change.

When designing double-sided labels, you can also take objects on the opposite side of the label as reference objects for relative positioning. In this case, objects on opposite sides move together if you change their positions.

Note

Label sides of reference objects are clearly identified on the Object selection list with (Front Side) and (Back Side).

General

General tab identifies the object and sets its status.

Name sets a unique object ID. It is used for object referencing when defining functions, variables, scripts, etc.

Note

Avoid using spaces or special characters in object names.

Description allows adding notes and annotations for an object. It provides help during the label design process.

Status group defines object visibility on print preview and on printed labels.

  • Not printable: prevents the object from being printed. The object still remains visible on the print preview and affects other objects in relative positioning. This option is useful when printing on predesigned or stock-specific labels.

  • Visible: if the checkbox is not selected, the object neither appears on the print preview nor on the printed label. The object is treated as if it does not exist.

  • Condition: makes an object enabled (editable) if the result of the given condition is "True". This setting defines object visibility on form startup and when the connected variable's value changes.

    Tip

    Equals (=) and slashed equals (≠) signs are allowed to be used in object visibility condition. Click the Equal/Not equal button select the appropriate sign type.

Option

Print Preview

Printout

Relative positioning

Not printable (selected)

YES

NO

YES

Visible (cleared)

NO

NO

NO

Printing optimization group allows activating the use of internal printer elements.

Tip

If supported by the selected printer model, a share of label element processing is handled directly by the printer (e.g., internal fonts, shapes, barcodes). This speeds up the printing process also due to significantly reduced data traffic.

  • Use printer element if supported: prints labels using internal printer elements if the printer allows it. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements, the element is sent as a graphic file.

  • Always use printer element: prints labels using printer elements only. If a selected printer does not support internal printer elements, an error message with an explanation is displayed.

  • Always print as graphics: sends and prints the objects as graphic files.

    When connecting your object to a variable, enable the Use printer element if supported or Always use printer element option. Printing in graphic mode returns a printing error.

Note

Enabled advanced printer driver interface combined with the printer driver is required to print this object as an internal printer element.