Text

Text object is a container for textual content which adapts its dimensions to fit the amount of inserted characters. When typing, text object grows horizontally and/or vertically.

Tip

Text Box serves as an alternative when designing a label on which the textual content must fit into a field with predefined dimensions.

Source

Connected data source defines the content source of the selected object.

  • Fixed data: manually entered fixed text.

  • Variables: predefined variable values which are used as object content.

  • Functions: input data transformation tools.

  • Databases: database values which are used as object content.

  • Counter: displays counter value on the label.

The content field allows you to type the object content.

Content Mask sets the format of the input data before it is displayed on a label.

Mask character is a character used in the mask that is replaced with actual data on the printed label.

Example 14. Example

A user needs to format a phone number to be more readable on the label. Data input is not formatted since it is read from a database.

If the input value read from a database is:

+38642805090

and the content mask is:

(****) **** - ****

the resulting output is:

(+386) 4280 - 5090

If the data contains the asterisk "*" character, change the Mask character. The character should have a unique value that does not appear anywhere in the data.


Style

Font color sets text font and underline color.

Font selects the typeface. Fonts are divided into two groups: OpenType fonts and Printer fonts.

Note

If the currently selected printer is a thermal printer, additional fonts become available. These are the internal Printer fonts that are installed on the printer. Printer fonts are identified by the printer icon in front of their names.

The font may appear Bold, Italic, Underlined, or as a Strikethrough text.

Font Scaling sets the font-stretch factor. If the factor is set to 100 %, the font appears in a normal scale. If the factor is set to 200 %, the font appears twice as wide. If set to 50 %, font width is shrunk to half its size.

Alignment defines the horizontal positioning of the entered content.

  • Left: text aligned with the left object border.

  • Center: text positioned in the center of the object.

  • Right: text aligned with the right object border.

  • Justified: distributes text evenly along both sides.

    Note

    Justified is enabled in Text box only.

Spacing sets the space between text characters and lines.

  • Line spacing: space between each line in a paragraph.

  • Character spacing: space between individual characters.

Effects

Inverse: inverted text and object background colors.

Mirror: mirrored text.

RTL printing: the right to left text printing.

Tip

Most thermal printers print right-to-left scripts automatically. This option becomes useful if the operating system does not provide native RTL support.

Product level info

This section applies to Loftware Designer Pro and PowerForms Suite editions or higher.

Text on ellipse definition enables you to add and display curved text on a label.

  • Text on ellipse: enable this option to set the text on a curve.

  • Text start: sets text starting point on the ellipse. The default position is 9 o'clock. When increasing the position value, it moves clockwise by degrees.

  • Text length: sets the portion of the ellipse to be used for displaying the text. The maximum value (default) takes the complete ellipse. Reducing the value in degrees shortens the available portion.

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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 gives information about the object's dimensions.

  • Width and Height: horizontal and vertical object dimensions.

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

    Tip

    In the Text object, the size of the text is determined by the font size. Object dimensions and aspect ratio cannot be changed manually and only serve as information about its current size.

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 Rotation Icon.png icon on the selected object. The rotation angle and slider rotate the object around its anchoring point. The Rotation Icon.png icon rotates the object around its central point.

Anchoring point is the spot where an object is pinned to the 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, select under the Design behavior group.

Relative position

Relative Position options define the position of an object when the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

    Option

    Print Preview

    Printout

    Relative positioning

    Not printable (selected)

    YES

    NO

    YES

    Visible (cleared)

    NO

    NO

    NO

  • 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, then select the appropriate sign type.